Offramp experience brings tons of festivities

The founder of the Off Ramp Experience, Siya Msomi, recently introduced a fishing competition which will take place at Margate Pier on June 23.

He introduced the Ultimate Offramp Fishing Competition while launching the second annual Off Ramp Experience in Port Shepstone on Monday this week.

He said the fishing competition is aimed at giving exposure to fishermen who fish to make a living.

Msomi said he recently approached the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the Sharks Board to be part of the competition.

“We made it clear to the department and the board that we did not need funds from them; we would love for them to attend and participate in the programme. I want them to see fishing as an informal economy where people from rural areas fish and sell whatever they catch. We are not saying they must be regulated, but they must be visible, and maybe they can see where they can assist these fishermen,” he said.

He added that prizes will be handed to the winners in the form of fishing equipment and cash.

Msomi said the annual Offramp Soccer Tournament will also be part of the Offramp Experience.

He said in this tournament, they generally work with the South African Football Association, which helps them select teams from each local municipality under the Ugu District.

He said four teams will go against each other, adding that they are targeting the youth.

Meanwhile, Msomi said the idea of the Offramp Experience was inspired by where he lives in Mtwalume, close to the Hibberdene offramp.

“When driving on the freeway from Durban and approaching your destination, you have to slow down and take an offramp. The same goes for life; with everything happening so fast, we need time to ‘offramp’ and relax. We need people to come to the South Coast and relax, especially after the elections have passed. The experience features more than the championships and the tournament. There will also be a Gala Dinner in Comedy, the Block Party and the Offramp Music Festival. The programmes will all be hosted at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre,” he said.

Ugu’s Mayor, Sikhumbuzo Mqadi, said events like Offramp are good for tourism and boosting the local economy.

He said accommodation bookings generally increase.

“We used to host such big events in Margate and at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre. With this event, Ugu will be back on the map again,” said Mqadi.

Festivities will start on June 23 and end on June 29. For more information, contact 081 7806567.

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