Historic MoU Signing Boosts Property Investment on the KZN South Coast
Historic MoU Signing Boosts Property Investment on the KZN South Coast We marked a significant milestone on 18 June 2025 in signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading property developers of Serenity Hills, Renishaw Coastal Precinct, and Umdoni Point Coastal Lifestyle Village. This strategic partnership aims to unlock the full investment and tourism potential of these key developments while driving economic growth, job creation, and regional transformation. Hosted at Renishaw Hills in Scottburgh, the signing connected us with the developers, cementing a long-term commitment to collaboration. The MoU, valid until 31 December 2029, outlines a framework for cooperation, support, and joint promotion to maximise development opportunities across the region. Key Property Developments Under the MoU Serenity Hills (Margate): A 120-hectare eco-focused estate with 600 luxury residential units across three neighbourhoods, extensive hiking and biking trails, a spa, restaurant, and conservation areas preserving wildlife and natural beauty. Renishaw Coastal Precinct (Scottburgh): One of South Africa’s largest coastal developments, spanning 1,300 hectares, offering mixed-use opportunities including residential, commercial, and light industrial zones, as well as plans for schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, and shopping centres. Umdoni Point Coastal Lifestyle Village (Pennington): An over-50s lifestyle development nestled alongside indigenous coastal forest, with Phase 1 completed and Phase 2 already underway, featuring bespoke 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes. Through this partnership, we will assist developers with strategic connections, government approvals, and marketing support to accelerate growth, while the developers provide updates and insights to support regional promotion. This MoU reinforces the KZN South Coast’s position as a prime property investment destination, showcasing the region’s potential for sustainable, high-quality developments.
Marketing Update
Marketing Update This quarter, we’re inviting investors to Unlock More Growth on the KZN South Coast. With upgraded infrastructure and the expanding Port Shepstone Business Hub, the region offers opportunities across agriculture, property, manufacturing, maritime, logistics, and renewable energy. Now is the time to unlock more growth, opportunity, and prosperity on the KZN South Coast. Investment Awareness Campaign We invite local businesses, tourism operators, and residents on the KZN South Coast to get involved in the Buy Local movement, supporting our locally made products, services, and experiences to drive economic growth in the region. Through our Ugu One Stop Shop, investors enjoy streamlined processes, reduced red tape, and dedicated support at every stage. To find out more about the One Stop Shop click here, email oss@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. Alternatively, you can contact us on 039 682 7944. View the full marketing video of our Ugu District OSS here and feel free to share on social media platforms. Buy Local Campaign Through the Buy Local Campaign, we share key messages: Unlock More Local – Join the Movement! Now’s the time to discover the benefits of supporting local. Every purchase keeps money circulating in the KZN South Coast economy, boosts job creation, and strengthens communities. Business Owners – Become a Buy Local Member! Eligible businesses can sign up for the SCTIE Buy Local membership, gaining marketing exposure, networking opportunities, and a spot in the regional business directory. Now’s the time to grow your business with local support! Support Local. Buy Local. Grow Local. Residents and consumers are encouraged to choose local, from shopping and dining to services and experiences. Every decision to buy local contributes to stronger, more resilient communities. To purchase goods or secure services from Buy Local businesses, visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To order 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. Trade Show Update Attending leading trade shows and investment forums is a key strategy for maximising the exposure of our investment assets. These events provide a platform to showcase the region’s tourism and industrial projects, attract investors, and establish strategic partnerships that drive economic growth and job creation. Umdoni Investment Seminar Dates: 4 to 5 June 2025 Venue: The Cutty Sark Premier Hotel, Scottburgh The Umdoni Investment Seminar was a multi-stakeholder platform focused on unlocking the municipality’s economic potential and positioning Umdoni as the Jewel of the KZN South Coast. The event included a keynote address by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, reaffirming national support for infrastructure-led development. Umdoni Mayor Cllr MJ Cele-Luthuli also shared a bold vision for transforming Umdoni into a competitive investment hub. Participation allowed us to: Engage with public and private stakeholders to attract investment to the region. Promote Umdoni’s development opportunities in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and small business. Highlight catalytic infrastructure projects, including road upgrades, harbour development, and sustainable human settlements. Strengthen partnerships with municipalities, Eskom, Cogta, Public Works, financial institutions, and private developers. Highlights: Commitments to package bankable projects and prioritise high-impact sectors to address unemployment and poverty. Agreed frameworks to reduce bureaucratic barriers and align strategic plans across municipalities, government departments, and private developers. The seminar concluded with firm commitments to create an investor-friendly environment, driving sustainable economic growth and job creation in Umdoni and the broader KZN South Coast. Manufacturing Indaba 2025 Dates: 15 to 16 July 2025 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg The 12th Manufacturing Indaba focused on Africa’s reindustrialisation, connecting business leaders and fostering local manufacturing growth. Participation allowed us to: Discover innovative products and services tailored to local needs. Explore emerging industry trends. Engage face-to-face with potential partners and investors. Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) 2025 Dates: 27 to 29 August 2025 Venue: Thembela Venue, Richards Bay TIFA 2025 brought together investors, developers, policymakers, and public-sector leaders to explore tourism-related and broader economic investment opportunities across Africa. This two-day conference enabled us to feature priority sectors including tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, real estate, technology, and utilities – while showcasing investment-ready developments along the KZN South Coast. We also included guided site visits to catalytic projects, highlighting infrastructure readiness and investment potential. We participated as delegates and exhibitors, enabling us to: Showcase flagship KZN South Coast projects to a targeted audience of domestic and international investors. Promote the region as a competitive investment destination. Facilitate business linkages and access new markets. Attract direct investment to support economic growth, sustainable development, and job creation. Highlights: Day One, hosted by RBIDZ Special Economic Zone, included tours of Phase 1A and 1F industrial estates, Nyanza Light Metals, a TiO2 manufacturing project, and the Wilmar Processing Plant. Premier of KZN, Thami Ntuli, officially opened the Forum, reinforcing the province’s business-friendly environment, strategic location, and world-class infrastructure. The forum generated high-impact investment leads and strengthened cross-border partnerships, solidifying KZN’s role as a central player in Africa’s economic growth story. By attending these events, we continue to elevate the KZN South Coast as a prime destination for tourism, industrial, and green economy investments, ensuring sustained visibility and investor confidence.
Public Relations Update
Public Relations Update This quarter, we actively engaged with local and national media to highlight the KZN South Coast’s investment potential. Key messaging has focused on the range of services available through the Ugu District One Stop Shop, as well as the economic benefits of the Buy Local campaign. Through press releases and responsive media engagement, we continue to raise the profile of the region’s strategic investment sectors and support initiatives that drive local business growth and community development. Press releases issued: Historic Moment for KZN South Coast as SCTIE Signs MoU with Top Property Developers Community Garden and Micro-Farming Initiatives Cultivate Growth and Opportunity on the KZN South Coast Prestigious Golf Competition Highlights KZN South Coast’s Growing Investment Potential KZN MEC Backs Coffee Sector with Ugu District Social Compact to Drive Growth on the South Coast
Advertising Update
Advertising Update Our advertising efforts have been concentrated on digital platforms to maximise exposure to both domestic and international audiences. By targeting users actively seeking investment opportunities, we ensured that our messaging was timely, relevant, and impactful, highlighting the KZN South Coast as a prime investment destination. Key focus areas have included: Agriculture: Showcasing our productive land and agri-business opportunities. Manufacturing: Promoting industrial growth and investment-ready projects. Property Development: Highlighting prime development sites and ongoing infrastructure upgrades. KwaXolo Caves: Positioning unique hinterland tourism and adventure assets. Ugu One Stop Shop (OSS): Emphasising streamlined investor facilitation and support services. Buy Local Initiative: Encouraging investors and residents to support certified local products and businesses. Through this targeted campaign, we continue to reinforce the KZN South Coast as a destination where investors can unlock growth, opportunity, and long-term returns.
Website and Digital Update
Website and Digital Update Social Media We have significantly expanded our social media publishing efforts, focusing on investment content around existing and future real estate opportunities. We have also digitally linked information between our online property articles, media resources and online One-Stop-Shop services to encourage and assist potential investors with ease. Follow our hashtags, #visitkznsouthcoast #unlockadventure #unlockmoregrowth or our accounts on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on X or Instagram; kznsouthcoast on TikTok; Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn. Visit KZN South Coast Website Our investment website has maintained 100% uptime this quarter, supported by extensive technical and general updates that ensures the platform’s reliability and role as a trusted hub for investors, potential investors and stakeholders. To extend its reach and relevance, we introduced new features that allow for the monthly coverage of investment initiatives, ensuring that the website remains dynamic and responsive to developments in the sector. This ongoing flow of fresh content, which is globally accessible to investors and potential investors, has positioned the platform as both a resource centre and a strategic marketing tool for regional investment. A key milestone has been the launch of the “CEO BLOG”, led by our CEO, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya. The blog serves as a credible platform for sharing strategic insights and shaping dialogue on the region’s investment opportunities. By highlighting key developments and ongoing initiatives, it builds transparency, strengthens stakeholder confidence and reinforces the KZN South Coast’s positioning as a forward-thinking and well-governed investment destination. Explore KZN South Coast App We are thrilled to showcase the brilliance of the ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ mobile app, now enhanced with the latest updates and seamlessly connected with our tourism website, that also gives potential investors insights into the ultimate coastal experience and a directory of existing businesses. With direct access to hundreds of accommodation providers, restaurants, activities and services, potential investors can research investment opportunities, contact existing businesses to explore partnerships, research franchising opportunities or check out other sectors like Maritime, Real Estate, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing and more. Download it today on the Google Play or Apple App Store or simply visit our website to do so and unlock the very best of the KZN South Coast right at your fingertips.
Website and Digital Update
Website and Digital Update Social Media Over the past three months, we have intensified our digital communication strategy to promote investment opportunities across the KZN South Coast using social media as a dynamic tool to reach local and international audiences. Through a targeted and consistent content schedule on platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, we have showcased high-potential sectors, profiled successful local businesses, and highlighted infrastructure developments and strategic investment zones. Visually compelling reels and short-form videos were crafted to attract investor interest and demonstrate the region’s readiness for business. Invest KZN South Coast Website Our investment website has been refreshed with updated promotional content, offering a comprehensive overview of the region’s value proposition for investors. The fully revised investment directory is now available on the site, providing detailed information on key sectors, available opportunities, and support structures for business development. From infrastructure and logistics to tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, the website serves as a central hub for exploring the vast investment potential of the KZN South Coast. Explore KZN South Coast App Our ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app, which is fully synchronised with our Visit KZN South Coast website, offers real-time, user-friendly access to essential travel and investment information. Beyond tourism, it serves as a powerful investment tool by showcasing thriving local businesses and enabling direct engagement with operators. This dual-purpose platform ensures streamlined access to accurate, up-to-date content, making it an indispensable resource for both travellers and potential investors.
Advertising Update
Advertising Update This quarter, we have focused on digital advertising platforms to maximise our exposure to domestic and international audiences. This targeted exposure ensures our messaging reaches audiences who are actively searching for key investment destinations. Key focus areas have included: The ocean economy and its untapped potential. The Ugu District One Stop Shop – streamlining investor facilitation. The Buy Local Initiative – encouraging eligible products and businesses to become certified members. Strategic logistics assets, with a focus on Margate Airport, the N2, and the RNM roads infrastructure upgrade. We have also ensured a strong focus on our SME upskilling and job creation in the tourism sector, featuring the KZN South Coast’s projects: KwaNzimakwe Experience KwaXolo Caves Adventures Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre Ubumbano Agri Co-operative NPS Adventures Advertising collateral has also been disseminated for the Umdoni Investment Seminar, as well as the KZN South Coast Investment Directory for various forums and stakeholder platforms.
Public Relations Update
Public Relations Update We continue to engage with domestic and national media, responding to urgent queries and disseminating press releases that showcase the region’s key investment sectors. The services of the Ugu District One Stop Shop and benefits of the Buy Local campaign remain central to our messaging. Press releases issued: SCTIE’s Upskilling of Local SMEs Boosts Job Creation and the KZN South Coast’’s Tourism Offerings (30 April 2025) South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise shares 4 ways to grow tourism investment on KZN South Coast (22 May 2025)
Marketing Update
Marketing Update This quarter we’re sharing the message that ‘Now’s the Time to Invest’ in the KZN South Coast by highlighting investment opportunities that extend from the Eastern Seaboard to the hinterland tourism sites, with a focus on the Port Shepstone Business Hub and our Ugu District One Stop Shop. Digital KZN South Coast Investment Directory We have compiled a comprehensive directory to showcase our investment opportunities to potential investors. This is an easy reference that identifies the KZN South Coast’s current investment projects, which include: Concise project descriptions Geographic information Project status Ownership and stakeholders Investment value Job statistics Please view and share the Digital KZN South Coast Investment Directory: https://www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za/investment-directory/ KZN South Coast Promotional Video The investment potential of the KZN South Coast is being further exposed through our recently launched Investment Destination promotional video. This compelling video highlights the KZN South Coast’s: MICE venues and associated attractions Easy access in and around the region Adventure tourism and heritage tours Catalytic investment products Real estate, ocean economy, agribusiness, and mining Please view and share the KZN South Coast Investment Promotional Video: https://youtu.be/NDH5tiyt6c0 Investment Awareness Campaign We encourage local businesses and potential investors on the KZN South Coast to visit the One Stop Shop (OSS) for business support. This awareness campaign emphasises that now is the time to discover the many support services offered by the SCTIE OSS for KZN South Coast investors and businesses. OSS services included: Funding applications Visa applications Tourism grading EIA applications CIPC eServices Food safety Investment facilitation and aftercare To find out more about the One Stop Shop click here, email oss@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. Alternatively, you can contact us on 039 682 7944. View the full marketing video of our Ugu District OSS here and feel free to share on social media platforms. Buy Local Campaign We encourage businesses to consider sourcing services and goods from Buy Local businesses wherever possible. To purchase goods or secure services from Buy Local businesses, visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To order 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. Trade Show Update Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC) Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) Dates: 13 to 15 May 2025 We were proud to participate in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, themed Unlimited Africa, with a focus on strengthening connections across the continent. As one of Africa’s premier tourism trade events – and a global top-three must-visit showcase – ATI 2025 featured 1,000 hosted buyers, 1,300+ exhibitors, 400+ SMMEs, and representation from 27 African countries. For the first time, we partnered with local tourism stakeholders – San Lameer Estate, Lake Eland Game Reserve, Beaver Creek Coffee Estate, and Wild 5 Extreme Adventures – sharing a stand to promote the KZN South Coast to travel agents, tour operators, and investors. SALGA Municipal Investment & Development Trade Show Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Umhlanga Dates: 13 to 14 March 2025 We participated in the two-day Municipal Investment and Development Trade Show hosted by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). The event showcases the investment opportunities across sectors like agriculture, finance, and tourism, while promoting capable local governance as a driver of economic growth. SALGA Chairperson Cllr Xolani Dube stressed the importance of streamlining processes to attract and support investors, while CoGTA MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi highlighted the pivotal role municipalities play in local economic development by shifting from service providers to economic catalysts. World Travel Market (WTM) Africa Trade Show & Exhibition Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre Dates: 9 to 11 April 2025 We attended the World Travel Market Africa in April, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA). This platform enabled engagement with media, domestic and international buyers, with particular interest noted in both tourism and investment opportunities. A key outcome was securing free editorial space in Safari Africa Publication, to be distributed at ITB Berlin. Umdoni Investment Seminar Venue: Cutty Sark Premier Hotel Dates: 4 to 5 June 2025 We collaborated with Umdoni Municipality to host this event as a way to better attract, promote, enable and facilitate investments into the district.
KwaXolo Caves Development (Phase 2)
KwaXolo Caves Development (Phase 2) The popular tourism site at KwaXolo Caves is being developed to include a new restaurant, coffee shop, and ablutions. Massive investment is set to unlock this asset even further, with potential for accommodation, eateries, and conferences. Phase 3 of the KwaXolo Caves Adventures project has been reviewed and approved by the KwaXolo Trust. This ambitious phase envisions the development of 10 luxury chalets, an amphitheatre, and a 100-seater hall – all positioning this as a key MICE destination. This is a significant opportunity for investors seeking to participate in a sustainable tourism venture with a strong social impact.