Advertising Update
Alongside our public relations engagements, we extended our ‘Uncover Potential’ in local investment messaging through dedicated advertising campaigns. This was extended into Joburg where street pole advertisements showcasing our growth sectors were strategically placed for two months. We placed the adverts in Sandton, close to major business head offices, including financial institutions like the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. We also launched our investor-friendly awareness campaigns on our social media platforms encouraging people to support and buy local. These platforms were used to advertise our investment talking points – our catalytic development projects and agricultural investment opportunities.
Website and Digital Update
Social Media Our social media platforms are currently shared between tourism and investment with our focus for the latter on development projects along the KZN South Coast, such as real estate opportunities at Renishaw Coastal Precinct, Bahari Bay, and Serenity Hills. Agricultural projects and other investment opportunities have been highlighted extensively. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new TikTok account (handle: sctiekznsouthcoast), which has been garnering significant attention. To continue this momentum, we are encouraging local operators to send us their content, specials, videos, or still footage, which we can process and share. The TikTok account provides expansive opportunities to market our service offerings to potential investors and customers and increase the digital footprint of local businesses. As always, we are finding new and effective ways to use our digital platforms to further brands at reduced or, where possible, at no cost. Website All three of our websites have been updated with new, engaging content uploaded frequently. Currently, our investment website serves as a comprehensive ‘One-Stop-Shop‘ catering to the diverse needs of investors and potential investors. Additional information to ensure a user-friendly experience that simplifies the investment process. Whether visitors are seeking investment options, exploring market trends, or trying to access crucial resources, our website offers a seamless navigation system. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) We have continued to successfully implement SEO and include a variety of new topics with SEO articles to cover more categories including things to see and do. We have seen an increase in the total organic search traffic indicating positive growth in website accessibility and brand visibility through search engines. Comprehensive on-page optimisation techniques were implemented, which resulted in improved keyword relevancy, higher search visibility, and enhanced user experience. Key Performance Metrics (KPMs) can be viewed online in the upcoming Portfolio of Evidence (POE) report. Explore the KZN South Coast app The app is updated almost daily through the single Content Management System (CMS) resulting in ongoing growth. Our app has successfully revolutionised the way people explore and experience new destinations, with one of its standout features the user-friendly interface that makes it easy for investors to navigate and access relevant information. The app provides comprehensive, updated details about popular attractions, accommodations, dining options, and local events. Additionally, it incorporates innovative features such as interactive maps, as well as a Buy Local tab which encourages visitors to support local suppliers. With the growth of our app, we could expand our database to include lesser-known destinations, promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging travellers to explore hidden gems. The positive feedback and increasing number of downloads are a testament to the app’s ability to enrich the user’s travel experiences. Database Management and Updates Our tourism and investment databases have been consistently growing in categories, proving to be a valuable resource for ongoing marketing efforts. In communicating with stakeholders with investment offerings, they are kept updated on developments, which are presented to potential global investors. The database allows us to assist stakeholders in making investments sustainable. This is only possible through ongoing communication with key role players in the investment arena, through our database. The database expansion has allowed us to enhance our targeting capabilities to deliver personalised content, to reach out to potential investors and stakeholders interested in our offerings. Using the database, we have successfully implemented marketing strategies, including newsletters and push notifications, placing that info online to access a potential global market and to engage and inform our audience about industry developments. Research – Investment Prospectus We embarked on a mammoth ‘Investment Prospectus’ with the research outcome focused on identifying potential investment opportunities on the KZN South Coast, to attract local, national, continental, and global investors. The project is highly promising and has the potential to significantly impact the region’s economic growth. Once the research results are analysed and the prospectus is published, the opportunities to attract investors will be extensive. The research has been conducted with a sample size of 200 or more respondents, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate analysis. The researchers have employed a robust methodology for data collection, and a report will be released in early September. The methodology includes a combination of primary and secondary data collection techniques, including surveys, interviews, and extensive market research. Additionally, an internal overview of the data collection process will be conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the research findings. This overview will lead to a separate report that focuses on identifying the sustainability of investment opportunities and strategies for future use. The research will be available under ‘Media’, with its drop-down menu to ‘Research‘.
Public Relations Update
Through fam trips, stakeholder engagements, and exhibitions we are constantly uncovering new potential in our growth sectors. These are being effectively communicated through dedicated press releases targeting business and investment media. We are also using this platform to showcase the success of our Buy Local campaign, and encourage support for participating businesses. Challenges related to municipal infrastructure remain a hindrance for our potential investors, with a lack of water supply in certain regions recently raised by FEDHASA (the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa) and subsequent media reports. We have engaged with the media regarding the challenges, and acknowledge the difficulty this poses for the tourism industry and other investment sectors. There are, fortunately, short-term and long-term plans by Ugu District Municipality to comprehensively address the water issue, and we will continue to engage with stakeholders to create a conducive environment for investment. Press releases issued 13 May to 18 August 2023 Uncover the untapped potential of KZN South Coast’s maritime sector – 5 June 2023 Road upgrade to further cement Port Shepstone as the Business Hub of the KZN South Coast – 8 June 2023 Property developments on the KZN South Coast attracting outside investment – 9 June 2023 Untapped potential highlighted in the KZN South Coast’s crop export market – 12 June 2023 SCTIE consults with national department to uncover potential in KZN South Coast’s fishing sector – 2 August 2023 International investor confidence continues to grow on the KZN South Coast – 18 August 2023
Marketing Update
We are proactively positioning the KZN South Coast as an appealing investment destination with unlimited opportunities in our key growth sectors. Our team is working with stakeholders to identify, facilitate, and package investment opportunities so that investors can establish and grow businesses in the region. Marketing Campaigns This quarter we launched the override Uncover Potential marketing message as we showcase the diverse investment opportunities on the KZN South Coast. Investment Awareness Campaign The integrated Tourism and Investment Awareness Campaigns cohesively encourage local residents and businesses to positively promote the KZN South Coast’s many opportunities. The messaging is to invest in the future of the KZN South Coast across the growth sectors, including tourism, real estate, agribusiness, renewable energy, logistics and transport, manufacturing, and the maritime sector. The affordable land, subtropical climate, and quality of life make the KZN South Coast one of South Africa’s most attractive investment destinations. #buylocal Campaign To further the investment potential, we are encouraging local businesses to sign up for Buy Local membership while urging KZN South Coast residents and businesses to support the campaign. Requirements for membership include at least 50% of the cost of production or services incurred locally, high-quality offerings, and job creation for locals. This quarter we welcomed new members Thulikaceb Trading CC (a waste management and recycling company in Murchison), Soft & Free Virgin Tissues (a co-operative owned and managed by physically challenged individuals in Gamalakhe Township), and Sky Drop Atmospheric Water (an eco-friendly company that extracts water from the air in Gamalakhe township). Membership is free of charge until 30 June 2025. To find out more or sign up as a Buy Local member, simply click this link, use our online enquiry or contact Londiwe@sctie.co.za or 039 6827944. Trade Exhibitions Manufacturing Indaba 2023 On 11 and 12 July, we attended and hosted a stand at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) where we engaged with business owners, government officials, and industry leaders to share ideas, explore opportunities, and showcase products. This was our first time hosting a stand at this investment exhibition and we can report it was a great success. In addition to engaging with guests on our manufacturing potential, we participated in a series of workshops highlighting industry trends and innovations. Fam Trips and Stakeholder Engagements Post-South African Investment Conference (SAIC) Fam Trip We were proud to showcase our real estate investment opportunities on a media tour organised by Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) on 4 August. The 1 300-ha Renishaw Coastal Precinct and Serenity Hills eco-estate were visited by Deputy Ministers in the Presidency; Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong and Deputy Minister Nomasonto Motaung, councillors from Ugu District Municipality, Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni Local Municipalities, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic), TIKZN, and ourselves. This was a key public-private collaboration aimed at unlocking further investment opportunities within the developments and on the KZN South Coast. Introductory Meeting and Injabulo Lifestyle Estate Launch In an effort to uncover further real estate potential on the KZN South Coast, we met with dtic at a new Margate estate, Injabulo Lifestyle Estate. This 32-ha development has an estimated investment value of R300m and is set to attract international investment to the region. We also attended the official launch of the estate on 19 August, with show houses now available for viewing.