PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
15 August 2022
Women investing in women on the KZN South Coast
Following the amalgamation of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) and Ugu South Coast Development Agency (USCDA), the newly formed South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) is pleased to announce two impressive women at the helm; CEO Phelisa Mangcu, and Investment and Development Manager, Nkululeko Hlongwane.
Working alongside their dynamic team, Phelisa and Nkululeko are ensuring that SCTIE, as the official economic development arm of the region, optimises service delivery, enhances efficiencies and drives the economy of the KZN South Coast by positioning it as a prime tourism and investment destination.
A single mother-of-four, Phelisa has brought a wealth of global tourism experience to the KZN South Coast, having worked in the tourism sector in Washington DC in the United States in the early 1990s. In 1999, she returned to South Africa where she took on a position in the tourism unit at IDC (Industrial Development Corporation), before relocating to JHB Tourism.
In 2018, Phelisa made the bold decision to relocate with her four daughters to the KZN South Coast where she relished the opportunity to grow the local tourism and investment offerings. She was appointed the CEO position of (then) USCT, which allowed her to continue improving the lives of South African citizens and showcasing the beauty of the country to the world.
“This was my first time working in a more rural, coastal setting as I’d only worked in big cities prior to this,” said Phelisa. “I was so warmly welcomed into the community at Shelly Beach and have been astounded at the amazing tourism opportunities that await visitors here. I’m honoured to be in a position to work closely with the local businesses, provincial and national stakeholders to achieve our goals of placing the KZN South Coast on the global map.”
Working with her team, Phelisa has enjoyed the task of growing tourism in the region by unlocking the potential of the unique tourism offerings – Blue Flag beaches, two world-renowned dive sites, 11 quality golf courses, two iconic gorges, the world’s smallest desert, the Sardine Run and endless nature reserves.
Despite the challenges of Covid-19, floods and riots in KZN, Phelisa’s leadership has resulted in massive rural tourism development, adding to the diversity of experiences found along the KZN South Coast. The Agri-GULTURE Tours, KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails, Umzumbe River Trail, and the KwaXolo Caves are just some of the unique experiences that drive the local economy in rural areas.
“The formation of SCTIE is an exciting new chapter for the region’s development, as it combines the expertise and resources of two entities for a more unified and effective vision,” she explained. “We are working to market the region’s tourism and investment offerings while eradicating barriers to these along the way.”
Joining Phelisa on the SCTIE team is enthusiastic manager and fellow Shelly Beach resident, Nkululeko Hlongwane. Born and raised in the small town of Estcourt in the KZN Midlands, Nkululeko has always been passionate about her home province and sharing its many wonders with the rest of the world. The mother-of-two quickly took to the KZN South Coast when she relocated to the area in 2013.
This passion is backed by a solid educational foundation, having received a Postgraduate Diploma in Local Economic Development from University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Bachelor of Technology in Management, Diploma in Community Extension, an Advanced Certificate in Project Management.
She arrives in her latest role with 16 years of experience across various government and economic development fields. Some of her previous roles were at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Johannesburg ProductivitySA, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. She’s excited to take on the role of Investment and Development Manager for SCTIE, working with local and international stakeholders in promoting the region.
“As we are recovering from various shocks which affected the economic growth and job creation, my focus will be to ensure that, as the investor destination, we keep existing businesses and jobs in our area, while promoting business expansion and attracting new investment from both domestic and international investors,” said the driven Nkululeko. “We will ensure that the enterprise thrives, effectively becoming a one-stop shop for investment promotion and facilitation for the KZN South Coast through strong public-private partnership.”
Outside of her workplace duties, Nkululeko enjoys reading, travelling with her family, hiking in the region’s beautiful reserves and embarking on some extreme adventure activities!
To find out more about the KZN South Coast tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn; www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more!
To access previous USCT press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/
/ENDS
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(Images: Supplied by SCTIE)
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) CEO Phelisa Mangcu.
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) Investment and Development Manager, Nkululeko Hlongwane.
About KZN South Coast
Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.
Issued on behalf of:
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)
Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications
For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za
