Is the Ballito Pro worth hosting?

Ballito Pro fever is mounting and everybody is getting ready for a week of epic surfing, music and food.

Amidst all the excitement, there are, as always, a few nay sayers for whom the Pro is nothing but a waste of money and an irritating noise from which they see no benefit.

The Courier talked to Ilembe Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse and a few business owners to test this belief.

Oelofse said hosting the Pro for the past six years has generated unprecedented out-of-season hype, making Ballito the envy of many coastal towns.

“Local businesses who feel that they are missing out should do more to promote themselves in the periods around this event,” said Oelofse.

He suggested they do some surfing on the internet and consider punting their offerings through surfing forums.

Besides tourism promotion for the region, a key focus of the event is economic development for local business people.

Local companies are given preference in the hiring of event service providers and every year about 45 local businesses benefit from the event in this way.

Normally about 60 local small businesses and informal traders sell their products at the Pro, making up about 80 percent of the total exhibitors.

Local musicians and artists make up about 90 percent of the entertainment stage and these all get paid a small amount to perform.

“We have about 70 artists performing and in addition, we host a ‘Battle of the DJ’s’ where we normally have 20 local DJ’s.”

The finalists get paid and the winners go on to perform on the main stage, for which they are also paid.

The Pro showcases local restaurants and food artisans, giving exposure to eight local restaurants, showcases professional chefs from other restaurants in the KwaDukuza area (KDM).

About 450 casual staff are employed for the event, most of them local unemployed youth.

“In addition, since we first hosted the event, the Ballito areas and Southern KDM have seen a rise in accommodation bookings in July from 30 percent to 70 percent occupancy.”

During the course of the week, organizers bring and host 650 children from inland schools, giving them a day at the event and a goodie bag.

There is a marked increase in foot traffic, sales in shopping malls and restaurants as well as night clubs during the Pro week.

The event not only invests in the region during the event, but also outside of the event over the long term in areas that need upliftment.

Over the last six years, R2.3 million was re-invested into sports programmes and R7 million into education, R100 000 into mobile libraries and a significant amount into business skills development.

Sasol Salt Rock’s Praveena Thulkanun said last year they benefited from the exposure generated by their food stall.

Ballito Accommodation’s Clinton Markham said they benefit more from the surfers than from the New Year party and Matric Rage crowds.

He said the constant television and other media exposure that gets Ballito’s name out, is good for the town and good for ongoing business.

Salt Rock Surf’s Wendy Oelofse said from a marketing point of view, the Pro provided an excellent platform to display her brand. She said the sales she made during the Pro week in 2014 was equal to what she normally sells in the shop in two weeks.

“The stand rental is very reasonable and it is an opportunity for additional sales and to interact with customers which leads to the generation of new ideas,” said Oelofse.

Oelofse enjoyed the great excitement and energy during the event and said it stimulated her creative juices.