STRAB 2023 is less than a month away. We would like to use this opportunity to thank all of you for supporting STRAB 2023 despite difficult economic times.
Check out our Facebook site for any upcoming pre-STRAB events over the next month. Details are updated on our Facebook site.
All the bands playing at STRAB are published (with their Facebook links) on our website as soon as they are announced on our Facebook site. So go check them out.
Our beach party theme will be announced shortly. Get your perfect outfit and stand a chance to win a STRAB ticket for 2024.
For those of you that have done group bookings, please remember to enter your guests names and details as soon as possible.
If you want a physical lasting memory of this amazing experience make sure to order your STRAB shirt, cap or buff now. You will not only have added a really cool item to your wardrobe but you will also have the entire STRAB line-up on your back. Merchandise bookings close on 30 April. Please double check on your basket that you have ordered the correct sizes and make sure to collect your merchandise at STRAB. Merchandise not collected will be distributed in the local community after STRAB to support the beautiful town of Malongane.
Please also remember the closing dates for the following bookings
Merchandise – 30 April 12:00 noon
Food – 14 May 12:00 noon
Border pickup closure – 14 May 12:00 noon
Diving – 17 May 12:00 noon
Equipment – 14 May 12:00 noon
Bookings system final closure – 14 May 12:00 noon
Regarding road conditions, the two major alternative routes for the Gauteng crowd are still via Kosi Bay border or via Lebombo border posts.
Gauteng to Malongane via Kosi Bay:
Due to the current war in the Ucraine, the global demand for coal has sky rocketed and as a result the coal truck traffic on the N2 road from Hendrina, through Ermelo, Piet Retief, Pongola down to Richards Bay has escalated dramatically. The road between Ermelo and Piet retief has been most affected.
So if you want to take this route, rather take the Carolina turnoff on the N4 and take the road through Amsterdam and join the N2 at Piet Retief. You will still have to deal with the trucks for 160km until you get to the Jozini turnoff to the border, but if you are patient you will be fine. Allow 9 hours for this trip. The earlier you leave in the morning the better as truck traffic increases as the day progresses.
Gauteng to Malongane via Lebombo:
Due to increase in chrome / chromium exports from SA via Maputo harbor, the truck traffic through this border has also increased over the last couple of years. This combined with regular systems downtime on the SA side due to load shedding and generator malfunction, has made traveling through this border a bit of a lottery. One day it will take you 20 minutes and the next 3 hours to get through the border. It doesn’t stop there. Truck traffic also has an impact when you drive through Matola suburb on the edge of Maputo. We did find that if you can get to the border at around 6 o’clock in the morning, it tends to be easier in terms of ques and truck traffic.
Reminder again that the last 8km to Malongane is still sand road, so you will still need at least a “bakkie” or SUV to get to Malongane.
Regarding border pickups/dropoffs:
Kosi bay border:
Vehicles can be parked in the secure parking area 200m before the border on your left at R50 per day. You are allowed to drop off your luggage at the border post prior to parking your car.
Reminder that no cash will be given to drivers at the border. Your border pick up and drop off are booked and paid on-line. You will print out your border pickup and drop-off vouchers (two separate vouchers) before you leave to give the applicable one to the driver when you are using the service.
Ponta do Ouro for those traveling via Maputo
Reminder that no cash will be given to drivers at the border. Your border pick up and drop off are booked and paid on-line. You will print out your border pickup and drop-off vouchers (two separate vouchers) before you leave to give the applicable one to the driver when you are using the service.
For parking arrangements in Ponta do Ouro, contact hanalie@strab.co.za prior to STRAB to make parking arrangements. Park in Ponta and the border pickup will take you from there to Malongane and pick you up again.
Covid19 regulations and curfews in Mozambique
Covid19
The STRAB team communicated incorrectly on these issues in our previous newsletter. Although these regulations were temporarily dropped over the December holiday season, it has not been dropped altogether.
Covid regulations, although rarely enforced at the borders, are still law. Upon entry into Mozambique, you still need either a Vaccination certificate or a PCR test conducted within 72 hours of entry. Departing Mozambique to South Africa no regulations apply.
Curfews
Beach curfew from 18:00 in the evenings until 05:00 in the mornings still apply. No alcohol allowed on the beach at any time.
For those of you camping in general camping area, please make sure to bring a multi plug and extension lead if you need electricity to charge your phone. You will be sharing campsites and there are only one plug point per campsite. No hair dryers, kettles or anything with an element are allowed as it will trip the power of the entire resort.
Please leave your most valuable items either at home, in a safe place, or carry it with you. We would like to encourage everyone to be vigilant and leave STRAB with all their belongings.
Malongane resort will for the first time implement a cashless system for transactions inside the resort. There will be marked kiosks where you will be able to load your cards with funds. You will be able to load your credits using cash or cards – currency conversions will apply using exchange rates at the time and Rands will be accepted. If you want to use your bank cards to buy credits, please enable it for international transactions. This is possible on most banking apps. If not, contact your bank directly.
If you are first timers and you have any questions regarding the festival, look on our website and download the STRAB Guide. That document will tell you what you need to know, alternatively, you are most welcome to just email us and we will assist! If you still have questions, contact hanalie@strab.co.za .
We will see you there!!
Ate Logo!!
The STRAB team
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