Mortymoose
Honorary Master
Aunty Anita was a remarkable woman, that I had been very fortunate to know.
She was born 90 years ago in the remote diamond town of Kolmanskuppe (Kolmanskop) , in the sweeping barren sandunes just south of Luderitz in South West Africa.
Yesterday morning I received the sad news of Aunty Anita's passing.
When I first got to meet this small lady with a strong German accent about 14 years ago, I sat in utter awe, listening to her tales of life at Kolmanskuppe..... The rich colonial history, the hardship and the ever blowing wind would have made an epic movie.
It concerned me that the Kolmankuppers were scattered, ageing Nd dying out. It bothered me tremendously that nobody had recorded their epic tales. I contacted the History Channel, but they were not interested. I then met an independent Dutch Film producer, she was interested and went back to Europe to find funding, but alas, it was too late.....
I now only know of one living Kolmanskuppe, Gunther Machts.....
I was in Kolmanskuppe a mere three weeks ago, and happened apon a photo on the wall in the museum part of the abandoned town......the name Reschke appeared on the photo, Anita's surname...
On returning home, I called Frau Reschke, for her age, her mind was as clear as a desert sky....
"Frau Rescke , guten tag, wie gehts? " , I began .....before switching to English.... "Anita, it's Big Mike," , the name she hadalways called me...... " I have just returned from Kolmanskuppe and the town is still looking allright..." , we both laughed.........
I explained to her about the photograph on the wall and the name.....she was delighted to inform me that it was her late husband's photograph.......
It was incredible to talk to her again....to hear the pleasure she got on hearing about the abandoned town of her birth....
Little did I know that this would be the last time I would speak to her again....
She is the only Kolmanskupper ever to buy me a Jagermeister....
Aunty Anita, tschuss! And regards to Uncle Mickey!
She was born 90 years ago in the remote diamond town of Kolmanskuppe (Kolmanskop) , in the sweeping barren sandunes just south of Luderitz in South West Africa.
Yesterday morning I received the sad news of Aunty Anita's passing.
When I first got to meet this small lady with a strong German accent about 14 years ago, I sat in utter awe, listening to her tales of life at Kolmanskuppe..... The rich colonial history, the hardship and the ever blowing wind would have made an epic movie.
It concerned me that the Kolmankuppers were scattered, ageing Nd dying out. It bothered me tremendously that nobody had recorded their epic tales. I contacted the History Channel, but they were not interested. I then met an independent Dutch Film producer, she was interested and went back to Europe to find funding, but alas, it was too late.....
I now only know of one living Kolmanskuppe, Gunther Machts.....
I was in Kolmanskuppe a mere three weeks ago, and happened apon a photo on the wall in the museum part of the abandoned town......the name Reschke appeared on the photo, Anita's surname...
On returning home, I called Frau Reschke, for her age, her mind was as clear as a desert sky....
"Frau Rescke , guten tag, wie gehts? " , I began .....before switching to English.... "Anita, it's Big Mike," , the name she hadalways called me...... " I have just returned from Kolmanskuppe and the town is still looking allright..." , we both laughed.........
I explained to her about the photograph on the wall and the name.....she was delighted to inform me that it was her late husband's photograph.......
It was incredible to talk to her again....to hear the pleasure she got on hearing about the abandoned town of her birth....
Little did I know that this would be the last time I would speak to her again....
She is the only Kolmanskupper ever to buy me a Jagermeister....
Aunty Anita, tschuss! And regards to Uncle Mickey!
