The first time my soul truly fell in love with South African travel: watching the sunrise over the Orange River in the Northern Cape and spotting massive bird nests perched on the powerlines. #SouthAfricaTravel #NorthernCape #OrangeRiver #SunriseViews #NatureLovers #WildlifeWonders #AdventureAwaits

Northern Alaska

This Arctic river should be named after Trump because it's orange. Forget that. Nothing should be named after Donald Trump, not even a disease or insect. The orange comes from iron in the melting permafrost as temperatures rise. It's a bad sign of global warming.

#iron #orangeriver #globalwarming

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc6h...
#startrek #khan #biology #orangeriver

A middling closeup of a clump of yellow daisies, all pointed toward the left, into the sun. The background is red-brown dusty, rocky ground.

On the way back from the #OrangeRiver, we drove past some Namaqualand #daisies This is a close up (yesterday was the whole field).

The last of this sequence.

#Photography #SouthAfrica #Flowers #naturePhotography

The original: www.deviantart.com/africanobserver/art/1231...

A landscape, with tall mountains in the background. A rocky ridge in the middle ground. A flat plain in the foreground. A vehicle is a tiny spec at the edge of the ridge, driving onto the plain, leaving a plume of dust behind it. It is dry and rock, but there are some clouds in the sky.

Returning from paddling down the #OrangeRiver which is at the base of the tall mountains in the background. For the record, this is the rainy season - you can see little patches of small green plants.

#Photography #Landscape #Mountains #dust #desert […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

A sandy river bank at twilight. Mountains loom in the background. Rubber dinghies pulled up in a line along the right. A tent and a largish fire in the middle ground.

One advantage of camping on a sand beach is that there is a very low fire hazard, and plenty of driftwood. Our students took advantage.

#OrangeRiver #Camping #fire #Landscape #Photography #SouthAfrica

I feel this is too tightly cropped, but that it still […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Twilight. A quiet river in the foreground, mountains silhouetted in the background. There is a valley left of centre, where the river flows into the V. The twilight sky is reflected in the water, a matching, inverted V.

Paddling down the #OrangeRiver, on the border between #SouthAfrica and #Namibia, we were camped for the night. The water was catching the twilight glow.

About 10km downstream from here is a set of rapids called "Sjambok" (pr shambok ). An Afrikaans word, it […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

A shaft of dawn sunlight poking over mountains at the top of the image, onto a large, steaming kettle over a fire on a beach by the side of a river. Some figures huddled around the fire, seated on plastic buckets.

Morning coffee on the banks of the #OrangeRiver.

#Photography #SouthAfrica #sunrise #outdoors

The original: https://www.deviantart.com/
africanobserver/art/1227484301

A river at sunrise, dark in the shadows, golden in the sunlight. A sunburst as the sun peeks over the mountains in the background. Two canoes pulled up on the near shore.

The sun rising over the mountains surrounding the #OrangeRiver

#Photography #SouthAfrica #Landscape

www.deviantart.com/africanobserver/art/1227...

Sunset, but looking south, with the light catching the bare rock of the mountains in a deep red-brown glow. A wide beach between the sweep of the gleaming water, and the mountains. A row of rubber dingies pulled up at the water's edge for the night.

Paddling down the #OrangeRiver The boats pulled up for the night. Camp was on the beach, behind me.

The river has come nearly 2000km at this stage, cutting across three quarters of the width of Southern Africa, through some of the oldest rocks on the planet […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Dark night sky. The Milky Way rising to the right, with the Southern Cross and the coal sack visible. Below, even darker, a ridge of high hills. At the foot of the hills, some tents, silhouetted against campers' torchlight.

Camping under the Southern Cross.

Camping along the shore of the #OrangeRiver about 700km north of #CapeTown

A single shot, contrast tweaked. Not stacked though. This is pretty much what the naked eye saw.

#Photography #stars #SouthAfrica #Camping […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Night, dark, except for an open fire blazing in the centre. A blackened kettle to the left and in front of the fire catches highlights on its handle. The sole of a bare foot catches the light off to the right.

We were camping along the #OrangeRiver (about 700km north of Cape Town).

This was the first night's camp on the bank. Hot tea and coffee was most welcome - it's winter here, although not terribly cold.

I'm claiming this for my #SilentSunday, since the whole […]

[Original post on mastodon.social]

Rising Orange River prompts night-time road closure Niël Terblanché The Roads Authority has closed the MR118 gravel road between Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund at night due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said the road remains open during the day but will close overnight as a safety measure. “While the road remains passable currently, the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of all road users,” she said. Emergency vehicles will be allowed under strict supervision. Fillemon advised motorists to use alternative routes while the closure is in place. One route is from Keetmanshoop via Aus and Lüderitz, using the Namdeb gravel road to reach Oranjemund.  This road is open to the public from 07h00 to 15h00 and is subject to Namdeb’s access rules.  Only light delivery vehicles and trucks are allowed, and use is at the driver’s own risk. Another route is through South Africa.  This route involves travelling from Keetmanshoop via Grünau and Noordoewer, entering South Africa near Steinkopf, then continuing to Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay before re-entering Namibia via the Oppenheimer Bridge. Fillemon said officials are monitoring the stretch between Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah closely as river levels rise.  “We will ensure public safety and will issue further communication at a later stage,” she said. Data from the Hydrological Services of Namibia shows the Orange River is still rising. Water levels at Blouputs rose from 2.92 metres on 29 April to 6.19 metres by 6 May.  At Sendelingsdrift, levels increased from 2.66 metres to 5.86 metres during the same period. The rise is linked to inflows from major South African dams.  The Vaal Dam, at 109.9% capacity, releases 307 cubic meters per second. The Bloemhof Dam discharges 801.2 cubic meters per second.  The Gariep and Van der Kloof dams are releasing 862.6 and 971.9 cubic metres per second, respectively.  The water level in the lower Orange River is expected to stay high for weeks. The Oranjemund Town Council has introduced safety rules in response. Swimming or entering the river is not allowed.  “Access to the river and the surrounding flooded areas is strictly prohibited due to hazardous conditions. The ground near the riverbank is highly unstable and may collapse,” the council warned. Authorities urged the public to stay alert as the rising water level could pose a danger to lives and infrastructure.

#OrangeRiver #RoadClosure #SafetyFirst #Namibia #TravelTips

Oranjemund authorities warn residents to avoid Orange River   The Oranjemund Town Council has issued a warning to residents, advising them to steer clear of the Orange River due to rapidly rising water levels and strong currents, which...

#Oranjemund #OrangeRiver #FloodWarning #SafetyFirst #StaySafe

Oranjemund-Rosh Pinah road closed due to rising river Oranjemund-Rosh Pinah road closed due to rising river NBC Online Wed, 05/07/2025 - 17:09

#Oranjemund #RoshPinah #RoadClosure #OrangeRiver #SafetyFirst

Nekundi warns of Orange River flood risk Nekundi warns of Orange River flood risk NBC Online Wed, 05/07/2025 - 08:54

#OrangeRiver #FloodWarning #SafetyFirst #ClimateAlert #NaturalDisaster

TravelComments.com - Orange River flooding impacts /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: What travellers need to know! - ATC News by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome (Posted 07th May 2025)     South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an important update for travellers planning to visit the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Due to rising water lev...

atcnews.org/travelcommen...

#Africa
#SouthAfrica
#OrangeRiver
#SANParks
#TravelComments.com

Flood risk along the lower Orange River rising Niël Terblanché Communities along the lower Orange River in southern Namibia are on alert. Dam systems upstream in South Africa continue to release large volumes of water after heavy rains this season. Authorities warned of possible flooding in Noordoewer, Aussenkehr, Oranjemund, and nearby irrigation areas, mining sites, and low-lying settlements. Road users and residents were urged to stay vigilant. The Oranjemund Town Council also notified all residents and visitors that water levels in the Orange River are rising, and the flow is currently very strong and dangerous. “Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to enter the river or engage in swimming activities. Access to the river and the surrounding flooded areas is strictly prohibited due to hazardous conditions,” the notice from the town council warned. The Council urged all residents and visitors to avoid accessing the riverbanks and the river.  “Approaching the riverbank is also prohibited, as the ground is highly unstable and may collapse without warning, presenting a serious safety risk. These measures are in place to protect lives and prevent potential drowning incidents,” the notice read.. With regard to the safety of road users, all residents and visitors are strongly advised to adhere to road closures and avoid accessing flooded areas.  “All residents and visitors are urged to refrain from engaging in any activities along the river and to exercise extreme caution when visiting the beach area at the mouth of the Orange River. Last week, floodwaters from the Orange River backed up into the Fish River. A bridge crossing the Fish River was completely submerged. The C13 road between Aussenkehr and Rosh Pinah was closed after the river overflowed and covered the bridge and parts of the road. The Orange River has reached the same level at Upington as it did during last year’s flood. Water levels continue to rise. One resident of Aussenkehr wrote on social media: “Next to the 2011 flood, this will be our biggest since we have started to operate at Aussenkehr.” The resident said it usually takes three or more days for water from Upington to reach Aussenkehr. The current flooding is being described as a 1-in-20-year event. It is less severe than the major floods of 1988 and 1974. South African water authorities reported the Vaal Dam is at 120.7% capacity. Ten sluice gates are open, releasing 1,881 cubic metres of water per second. The Bloemhof Dam is at 117.2%, releasing 3,403 cubic metres per second. The Gariep Dam is at 111.9%, with an outflow of 1,534.4 cubic metres per second. The Van der Kloof Dam is at 107.8%, releasing 1,173.1 cubic metres per second.

#FloodSafety #OrangeRiver #Namibia #SouthAfrica #FloodWarning

Xinfeng wins battle over Orange River Mining ownership Ester Mbathera  Chinese-owned lithium mining giant Xinfeng Investments has won a Supreme Court battle confirming its ownership stake in Orange River Exploration Mining CC after a disputed cancellation of company records. The matter was heard on 12 March, and judgment was delivered on Wednesday by a panel consisting of Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Acting Justice of Appeal Rita Makarau, and Acting Justice of Appeal Dave Smuts. Justice Makarau wrote the judgment, with Shivute and Smuts concurring. The case stems from an April 2022 agreement where Peter Shifwaku, who owned 100% of the mining company, sold 85% of his interest to Hineni Investments, with Gideon Benjamin Smith as nominee. When Hineni failed to pay, Shifwaku cancelled the agreement and sold the same interest to Xinfeng Investments, Likulano, Sauiyele January, Yujing Li, and Yiming Xie for N$50 million. On 30 June 2022, a new founding statement was filed, listing Xinfeng and its partners as owners of Orange River Exploration Mining CC. The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) former chief executive officer Vivienne Katjiuongua cancelled the registration on 8 July 2022, claiming it was fraudulently obtained. The court ruled that BIPA had no legal authority to unilaterally cancel the registration of an amended founding statement, even if fraud was suspected. According to the court, the Close Corporations Act provides no such power. When the decision was made, Xinfeng and its partners were not given a chance to be heard, which, according to the court, violated their right to fair administrative action. Xinfeng challenged the move in the High Court. The court ruled that the registrar acted beyond her legal powers and violated the right to be heard. The cancellation was set aside, and the company’s interests were restored to Xinfeng and its partners. Smith, Hineni Investments, Protocol Secretarial Services, and Ellis & Partners appealed the High Court ruling.  They argued that the founding statement had been fraudulently registered and that the registrar had acted correctly. They claimed Xinfeng gained no valid rights. The Supreme Court dismissed their appeal and upheld the High Court’s ruling.  The court said the registrar had no authority under the Close Corporations Act to cancel a registered founding statement. “The fifth respondent was not entitled to cancel the registration, as she did not have the requisite power,” the judgment reads. The court also criticised the failure by Smith’s legal team to file a counter-application challenging the 30 June registration. It said the fraud allegations alone were not enough to undo the registration without proper court action.  The court ordered Smith, Hineni Investments, and the Registrar to cover Xinfeng and its partners’ legal costs.

#Xinfeng #Mining #Lithium #SupremeCourt #OrangeRiver

Hematite Included Quartz from Orange River, South Africa 🔥💎

#minerals #mineralcollection #mineralspecimen #hematiteincludedquartz #hematite #hematitequartz #orangeriver #includedquartz #naturalcrystals #quartz #quartzcrystals #quartzcluster #crystals #crystalhealing #metaphysical #hippie #witchy

Hematite Included Quartz from Orange River, South Africa

#minerals #mineralspecimen #hematiteincludedquartz #hematiteinclusions #hematite #hematitequartz #orangeriverquartz #orangeriver
#includedquartz #naturalcrystals #quartz #quartzcrystals #quartzcluster #crystals #witchy #rocksandminerals

Hematite Included Quartz from Orange River, South Africa

#minerals #hematitequartz #quartz #crystals #gemsandminerals #includedquartz #hematiteinclusions #orangeriver #orangeriverquartz #geology #geologyrocks #crystalcluster #naturalcrystals #quartzcrystals #phantomquartz #redphantomquartz

“There’s hope at the bottom of the biggest waterfall.”

~ Patrick Ness

#Nature #Waterfall #Africa #OrangeRiver #AugrabiesFalls #Elements #Energy #Spirit