MISSION
To provide an outstanding level of standardized 4x4 & Off- Road driver training experience for the industrial, professional & recreational 4x4 & Off- Road industries of Southern Africa.
Built on safety, environmental awareness and enjoyment without product preference.
VISION
To be market leaders in the 4x4 & Off-Road training industry in the SADEC region.
To provide standardized 4x4 & Off-Road training in all the tourism regions of Southern Africa.
To produce and update relevant unit standards and qualifications for future 4x4 & Off- Road utilization.
To produce a system in which moderators, assessors and facilitators can present initiative towards the improvement of the training experience as a whole.
To focus on training as oppose to brand promotion.
To train previously disadvantaged to become assistant facilitators, facilitators, assessors & moderators.
QUALITY POLICY
Our management and staff are commitment to professional, quality and excellent service provision.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY was initiated in 2004 when the founder Tinus Botha watched a home video of a group of 4x4 & Off- Road friends "having 4x4 & Off- Road fun" where they converted a pool of drinking water supposed to be for the farm animals into a mud hole, totally undrinkable.
To make matters worse, a recovery operation took place were a kinetic strap and a tow rope had to be joined and was done with a bow shackle. The snatching failed after several attempts as the kinetic strap broke and the shackle went flying into the back of the recovery vehicle.
This incident made Tinus stop playing 4x4 for two years and decided to focus on training instead of playing and start educating 4x4 & Off- Road vehicle owners to operate in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. As there was no formal 4x4 or Off- Road training qualification in the country he started attending 4x4 & Off- Road training courses throughout the country to familiarize himself with the different techniques and routines of 4x4 & Off- Road training and built his learning program around this acquired information and experience. Tinus gained practical experience by training for Off-Road Tactix, Safari Centre 4x4 and North West 4x4 & Off- Road Academy.
In 2008 when the Unit standards for 4x4 & Off- Road Driving came up on the SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) web site for public comment, Tinus took the Unit standard and compared it with what he had developed and found the then Unit standards inadequate and used his public voice and commented. What happened afterwards is not for public knowledge but luckily Tinus did not retaliate against the big guys but stood his ground and thanks to the SAQA an agreement was reached and the registration of the Unit standards could continue. With this unpleasant but inevitable ordeal Tinus undoubtedly proved himself to the SGB (Standard Generating Body) and SAQA as the SME (Subject Matter Expert) in 4x4 & Off-Road training in South Africa. The Unit standards were registered on 26 November 2008.
These Unit Standards were included in the Qualification Professional Driving and listed under the TETA (Transport Education Training Authority) on 27 Feb 2009
Tinus realized that to be a 4x4 & Off- Road subject matter expert, does not qualify one to be a successful training provider under any Seta. To become a successful provider is similar to being a university for specific field of training. To run a 4x4 & Off- Road training provider operation successfully requires the same skills as for running a successful company. This requires Sales and marketing skills, Human relations skills, financial management skills and 4x4 & Off- Road subject matter expertise.
Tinus's previous Business, Financial and Human relations management qualifications and experience and his knowledge of the OBE system in South Africa added to the perfect mix to build AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY as a successful provider for 4x4 training in South Africa. Tinus also qualified himself as an Assessor, Moderator and Professional 4x4 & Overland tourist guide under SAQA.
From here the long journey began. Tinus started the accreditation process by developing the learner, facilitator, assessment & moderation material, all in relation with the unit standards & SAQA requirements. All the above was done without sponsorships as unprecedented training and integrity is of utmost importance to AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY.
We are proud to be the first 4x4 & Off-Road Training Provider to be accredited under TETA to train the unit standards US125135/254154 for 4x4 & Off-Road driver training.
Gratitude's:
It’s always difficult and dangerous to highlight persons whom in one or other way made a positive contribution to the accomplishments to date. It would be a incomplete statement not to mention my gratitude to these special persons in building AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ACADEMY
My Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST
Lettie, Alde, De Wet & Dewald (My family)
In no particular order:
Chris Combrinck (MC Motors)
Piet Weideman (Camil Suspensions)
Ludiek Prinsloo (Bothaville Toyota)
Ronnie Webster (Friend)
Gawie & Sylvia Rouwenhorst (Friend)
Erna vd Nest (HRD Consulting)
Janett Schlebusch (Friend)
Edwin Wright (Friend)
Glyn Demmer (Friend)
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Our training is focused on awareness of minimal environmental impact.
We practice "conservation by utilization" policies.
All our training facilities are existing facilities were we upgrade with minimal or no environmental impact.
ENVIRONMENT
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ENGAGE 4WD WHENEVER YOU LEAVE THE TAR ROAD.
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NEVER LEAVE THE TRAIL AND CREATE NEW TRACKS.
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VEHICLES ARE EXPENSIVE COMMODITIES DRIVE CAREFULLY
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IMPROPER BEHAVIOR TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT CAN CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE
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REPAIR DAMAGE CAUSED BY WHEEL SPIN AND RECOVERIES
O
OBSERVE CONVOY PROCEDURES WHEN TRAVELING IN A GROUP
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NOISE POLLUTION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
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MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HABITS
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ENSURE YOU TAKE OUT WHAT YOU BROUGHT IN
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NOBODY ARE ALLOWED TO MAKE FIRES ON NON DESIGNATED SPOTS
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TYRE PRESSURES MUST BE LOWERED TO AVOID WHEEL SPIN
Eastern Cape Cycad taken during Dec 2009 Bedrogsforntein Echo trail Addo Nasional Park by Dewald Botha