The National Off-Road Workgroup (NOW) is a representative umbrella structure which, seeks to promote maximum self-regulation within the Off-Road Industry, whilst at the same time recognising its responsibilities to the wider South African community in the context of protection of the environment and responsible tourism development, and which is working towards a  position to co-operate with Government to develop and implement relevant policy, laws and regulations and other mechanisms which will, where necessary, underpin those legal rights and obligations which are essential for the creation and maintenance of Off-roading as a viable and sustainable sub-category within the broader eco-tourism Industry.

This document is the response of the National Off-Road Workgroup (NOW) to the Minister of Environment and Tourism’s request to develop and present a Business plan to affect a self-regulation strategy for the off-road industry in South Africa.It seeks to provide background information that will enable an understanding of the current situation and the dilemma faced by the Off-Road Industry in South Africa, the challenge set by the government towards self regulation and the industry’s response to that challenge based on an off road workshop held in October 2005.

The current players in- and Stakeholders of the industry are introduced and an overview is provided to their respective focus areas -  in relation to- and in alignment with the strategic objectives of the National Off-Road Workgroup. The final part of this document defines the business plan and strategy that will be followed by NOW and, once approved by DEAT and their subsequent financial assistance released; will guide and direct the development and implementation of following objectives:

1. The adoption of a self-regulating strategy for the Off-Road Industry
2. The promulgation or publication of enabling legislation or regulations, should it be proven necessary
3. The establishment of an Environmental Management Co-operation Agreement  between industry and government towards implementation of the envisaged self-regulation mechanisms;
4. Development and establishment of an off-road sector which supports the globally accepted triple bottom line development principles. 

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