FOR ATTENTION: Route owners and operators in the Republic of South Africa and neighbouring territories.
The Southern African Route Owners & Operators Forum was established in December 2004. Participation is voluntary and free.
These are the facts:
Any route developed or modified after 1997 without a written
Record of Decision (ROD) from Department of Environmental Affairs is
deemed to be illegal.
At least 80% of the routes in South
Africa are advertised in some form or another and are identifiable
within the local community.
The Minister of Environmental
affairs has made a public commitment to address all routes in the
country within the scope of existing legislation.
Irrespective
of the legal standing of your route, you need to be represented by a
specialist body to ensure the future viability of your investment.
If
your route can currently be classified as 'illegal', you will
particularly need the assistance and support of a specialist body in
order to become a legally approved route.
Your support is required to strengthen this initiative.
Neither press releases nor information concerning your route shall be released without your permission.
Name
The forum is to be known as Southern African Route Owners & Operators Forum.
Definition
The
term "Route" also refers to 4x4 Trails and specific concessions granted
to operators to exclusively utilise predefined sections of road on
private or public property. A further qualifier is that clients
(vehicle owners) pays the owner or operator of a route for the
privilege to use it - guided or non-guided.
Membership
Membership of this forum is limited to Route Owners and Operators only.
Objective
To establish and operate a permanent Southern African body to represent the interests of route owners and operators
Legal Standing
At
present, this constitutes nothing more than a voluntary association. No
fees will be required or accepted until the members register a legal
entity.
Short-term goals
Representative Forum
To establish a united and representative forum of route owners and operators
To achieve formal recognition as the authoritative body representing route owners and operators.
Legislation
To undertake and publish a synopsis of environmental and other legislation applicable to route owners and operators.
To
highlight problem areas in the ability of the appointed government
departments to manage the scope of the legislation in terms of
processing physical applications, conducting inspections and dealing
with contraventions of the law.
Constructive Engagement
To agree an agenda for discussion with the Minister of Environmental affairs.
To enter into discussions with the Minister of Environmental affairs.
To provide guidance and assistance to members ito:
Legislative and statutory compliancy
Environmental Management and Eco Friendly practises and standards
Route/Trail Evaluation, and Recommendations
Marketing and Public Relations
Safety and Security of its members and their clients - specifically when travelling in neighbouring countries.
Shedule for 2005
Quantifying Support (31 March 2005)
Regional Workshops (30 June 2005)
Western cape
Eastern Cape
Southern Cape
Northern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
Kwazule natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
Namibia & Neighbouring Countries
1st National Convention of Route Owners and Operators (Augustus 2005)
We need your response!
Please
contact Francois Smit or Jonathan Deal to indicate your willingness to
participate or request further detail. Please discuss this within your
local 4x4 community and inform route owners that may not have received
this email. Our initial deadline for quantifying support is March 31st.
