With the submission of the draft Norms and Standards to the Minister in October 2011, and with the election of NOW as an official Board member onto the Tourism Business Council of SA (to position the off-road sector within the formal tourism sector), it was prudent for NOW to consider the next phase towards long term sustainability of the off-road sector.

This phase contains the Implementation and Co-regulation of the off-road industry, mainly through the implementation of the draft Norms and Standards. This phase should also strongly focus on growth, responsible growth.  The Strategy of 2008 made provision for the establishment of the co-regulatory board (Off-Road Council of South Africa).

But instead of having an industry with two Boards (NOW and Off-Road Council), the NOW Board decided to “evolve” or “transform” into one Board, the Off-Road Council, consisting of both the representative functions AND the regulatory functions as described by the Strategy.

The off-Road council is thus in the process of being set-up. With anticipated start date on the 01 April 2012. NOW, as we know it, will no longer be operational. In fact, NOW already initiated this transition / evolving process into the Off-Road Council. During the transition process, you can expect to:

• Provide input on representation on the Off-Road Council
• Provide input on the 3year Strategy for the Off-Road Council
• Transparent and meaningful communication strategies, aiming at informing and engaging the off-road community; as well as building our brand and growing the industry.
• Provide a viable funding strategy to ensure long term financial feasibility to co-regulation.