STOP PRESS

Minister van Schalkwyk’s ultimatum to the 4x4 Industry to  “get their house in order” and, "if concrete proposals are not forthcoming from the industry as to how this will be done in order to curb the negative  impact of their activities on the environment within the next six months, government will have to issue these unilaterally although this would not be our first choice…”  was successfully met during the National Off-road Workshop held in George from the 18th to the 20th of October 2005 - a watershed event.

The workshop was attended by 62 representatives from the entire industry – including five senior government officials. They not only represented both the Environmental- and Tourism departments of Minister Van Schalkwyk’s ministry, but actively and enthusiastically took part and added immense value. At the end of the second day, the delegation announced that as far as the minister's ultimatum was concerned, they were satisfied that we (the industry) had indeed become organized and that through the implementation of the recommendations made at the workshop, the industry would be able to self-regulate. It was then announced that no further measures were imminent although the ultimatum expires next week. Well done to all!

There was a spirit of co-operation and focus throughout the proceedings. There was an absence of personal- or “own” agendas, bickering and hard-line approaches. Despite the intense and often controversial topics on discussion, consensus was reached on all.  28 Mini-Workshops were held on the 1st and 2nd day, focusing on specific topics, challenges, and opportunities. Recommendations from these sessions were then discussed in more detail and incorporated into a framework that will now form the basis of the industry’s strategy for self-regulation and biodiversity conservation.

New friendships and alliances were formed. One of the highlights for the group of government officials was being introduced to our passion for 4x4 driving - one of the Guides took them on the old Voortrekker pass in the mist!

The primary focus of the last day was taking the successes of the workshop forward. The Convenor team handed over their reins to a newly elected workgroup from representatives of industry. The Minister has appointed Lize Bothma as his representative to liaise with the new committee. This committee’s task will be to take the recommendations of the workshop forward and to develop this into a framework for implementation. This strategy will be tabled and presented to the Minister. It will then be made available for comment. The ministerial process will follow for finalisation.   

Protocol requires from us to allow the minister’s office time to prepare a general press release on the outcome of the workshop. Detailed feedback will therefore be made available on the NOW website (now.org.za) on or before 31 October 2005. The high-level timeframe for the new workgroup’s activities is as follow:

1. Letter to the Minister that summarize the key findings and recommendations (26 October 2005)
2. NOW website Feedback (31 October 2005)
3. 1st Workgroup Meeting and finalisation of action plan (4-6 November 2005)
4. Industry representatives to submit their detailed strategies (based upon the outcome of the workshop and further internal deliberations) to the Workgroup (31January 2006)
5. Final Industry submission to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (February 2006)

All in all, this initiative has been a great success. The industry has been given the opportunity to show that we indeed act responsibly and will be able to regulate ourselves. 

In closing, just a word of warning to all those irresponsible 4x4- and off-road users whose actions led to the current situation; you will now be regulated and taken to task by your peers!

Thank you all and congratulations on a job well done!

The National Off-Road Workgroup