PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
22 June 2026
Former Mr. South Africa Returns to KZN
Where It All Began
There is something profound about returning to the place that first shaped you and for Ntando Lurwengu, that return has been a long time coming.
Born two months premature on the 8th of June 1998 in Kwadabeka, Claremont, KwaZulu-Natal, Ntando arrived into the world early and into the arms of his parents. With both his mother and father serving in the South African Police Service, a vocation that required them to travel extensively across the country, his grandmother lovingly stepped in to raise him through his early years, ensuring he was nurtured close to home and family. It is in her care, in the warmth of KZN, that Ntando’s story truly begins.
As a young boy, he was eventually relocated to Durbanville in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, where he attended Durbanville Preparatory, Durbanville Primary and later Stellenberg High School, fully immersed in an Afrikaans environment, far from the Zulu roots that had quietly shaped him. He adapted, he grew and he built a life in the Cape. Over the next two decades, he would go on to make history as the youngest titleholder in the Mr. South Africa competition, represent South Africa on the international stage in Los Angeles, California and forge a career in business-to-business and commercial environments in one of the country’s most sought-after cities.
But KZN never quite let him go.
Now, after twenty years, Ntando Lurwengu has come home and this time, with purpose. He has joined Bahari Bay Eco Estate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast as Head of Sales and Public Relations, stepping into a role that feels less like a career move and more like a calling answered.
“This opportunity gave me a reason to come back to my roots, to the place that shaped me,” says Ntando. “That means everything to me.”
His return aligns with a growing semigration trend, as increasing numbers of South Africans look beyond the Cape to the KZN South Coast, a region gaining recognition as a compelling alternative for lifestyle living and long-term investment. The South Coast today mirrors many of the early growth characteristics once seen in Cape Town, yet remains far more accessible from a pricing perspective.
“Ntando’s appointment is a significant milestone for Bahari Bay Eco Estate and reflects the growing confidence that professionals and investors have in the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast,” said Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “His decision to return to his roots and invest his skills in this region is a powerful endorsement of the opportunities that exist here. The South Coast continues to position itself as a destination of choice for both lifestyle seekers and investors and we welcome professionals like Ntando who are helping to drive economic growth, investment confidence, and positive destination awareness.”
Bahari Bay Eco Estate sits at the heart of this momentum. The 100-hectare coastal development, representing over R2 billion in long-term property value, offers secure, nature-integrated living for homeowners and investors, with over 500 stands, 40 hectares dedicated to conservation and a 7.8km network of walking and biking trails. The estate has already recorded 111 plot sales in the current phase, with construction underway and demand continuing to rise.
Ntando’s appointment signals a clear intention to elevate how Bahari Bay is experienced, communicated and positioned within the broader national conversation around property investment, economic growth and regional development, led by someone who doesn’t just sell the South Coast dream, but who has personally chosen to live it.
Unlock More Growth on the KZN South Coast!
Find out more about these and other investment options by visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.
To find out more about investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email oss@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
To purchase goods sold or secure services from these and other Buy Local businesses visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To make orders from Buy Local members or to join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.
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Get in Touch
Find out more by downloading the Explore KZN South Coast app; visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.
To find out more about these and more investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email mongezi@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
Follow the hashtags #unlockmore #unlockmoregrowth
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Please note the image credit is included beneath the corresponding image. All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct photographer credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.
High resolution images: https://we.tl/t-MuGCSv1mpRGEuz3B
About South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)
SCTIE was established as the official economic development arm of the KZN South Coast which extends from Scottburgh to Port Edward, and inland to Harding. It is a legal entity of the Ugu District Municipality with executive powers, serving the Ugu District and its family of municipalities. The entity is committed to identifying and unlocking the full tourism and investment potential of this region. SCTIE achieves its mandate of promoting investment through dedicated marketing initiatives, product development, business support and training, dedicated networking events, and breaking down barriers to local investment. From the coast to the hinterland, the KZN South Coast has a wealth of untapped investment potential for those who are looking to branch out into the district and uncover opportunities. The attractive location, subtropical climate, natural assets and accessibility make the KZN South Coast a prime investment destination. By engaging with local and international role players, SCTIE seeks to assist investors looking to uncover hidden gems across various economic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, logistics and transport, and the ocean economy, among others. For more information, visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
Pitch Email: The KZN South Coast is poised for major investment with the launch of the national Small Harbours Development Programme, which includes Port Shepstone among its locations. According to South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), this catalytic project is anticipated to unlock the maritime and logistics sectors while driving growth across tourism, trade, and property development on the KZN South Coast.
For more information please contact:
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)
Cell: 039 682 7944
Email: vanessa@sctie.co.za