The KZN government is behind the concept of the Offramp Experience that took place at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre last week.
This was confirmed by the KZN MEC for Sports, Arts, and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, at the Offramp Gala Dinner in Comedy last Thursday.
The event is the brainchild of Siya Msomi, who previously organised the Ugu Jazz Festival. It included a fishing competition, gospel show, football tournament, a music festival and more, and ran from June 23 to June 29.
Khawula, who was standing in for KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, said the provincial government was fully behind the idea of the Offramp Experience.
He said the concept was an innovative idea from a young man who targets local economic development.
“What Siya is doing is not local economic development in the boardroom, but local economic development in practice. This is what we need; with people like him, our gorgeous areas such as Margate will not become ghost towns. When you have human beings like Siya who have ideas, things will not rust because of their innovation. We need to assist him in improving his idea,” he said.
Khawula said ideas boost and revive the economy.
He added that they want to see the Offramp Experience growing from strength to strength and to new heights.
The MEC said the government cannot do things alone.
“We are here to support whatever you have started that will take the province and the country forward,” he said.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor Zodwa Mzindle said they appreciate the idea of the Offramp, saying that it is at such events that they get to relax and unwind as councillors.
“As the municipality, if there is a way, we will continue supporting the Offramp Experience and other such initiatives,” she said.
Explaining the idea of the Offramp, Msomi said: “When you travel on the freeway, you travel at a speed of 120kph, but when you decide to drop the speed when taking an offramp, it means you are getting ready to relax and reset. Our lives are busy; there are so many challenges people face daily, so at times, you need to take time off to go to church, go fishing, play soccer, go hiking, or attend a music festival.”
Msomi said he is grateful to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality for believing in the concept and Ugu District Municipality for building them to have the capacity to host these events.
“We have been doing events for the past 10 years; we are grateful for the support. We thank Major General Sethenya Nxamagele of the Saps for her support over the years,” he said.
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