The steering committee for the National Off-Road Workgroup met on 4 and 5 November 2005 in Isando, Gauteng, to study the record of the recent workshop held last month in the Eastern Cape.

Johann Marais, an attorney from Stellenbosch, was invited to act as convener, and will in future act as spokesperson for the group/committee.

The committee of 8 representatives spent time on studying the record of the recent workshop held near George, and started working on a framework and the parameters of what they must present to the Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, in terms of its mandate to the 4x4 Industry to “get its house in order”.

The high-level timeframe for the new workgroup’s activities is as follows:

1. NOW website Feedback – 7 November 2005 and to all the constituting groups with a view of getting further feedback
2. Letter to the Minister to summarise the key findings and recommendations – 9 November 2005
3. Liaison with the Department’s representative by end November 2005 to establish a working relationship and to ascertain the need to include other departments of government
4. Industry representatives to submit their detailed strategies (based upon the outcome of the workshop and further internal deliberations) to the Workgroup – 31st January 2006
5. Identify, respond and rework the framework as may be necessary – 15 December 2005.
6. Report back to industry on any new initiatives flowing from the reworking of the submissions and liaison with government – 15 February 2006.
7. Compile extended submission to Government – 15 March 2006.
8. Industry approval – 15 April 2006
9. Submission to relevant government departments whereafter the negotiation to prepare a co-operation agreement will be commenced with – 30 April 2006.
10. Co-operation Agreement in place which should provide for a regulating body consisting of people from the industry to control the industry in conjunction with government -November 2006.

The committee would also like to meet with members of the Press to discuss the synergy which they know exist between what the media is reporting on and the aims of the National Off-Road Workgroup.

ENDS

Detailed feedback will be made available on the NOW website (now.org.za).

For more information please contact Johann Marais during office hours on 021 887 0236.