Marketing Update
Our investment marketing campaign continues to highlight the region’s investment offerings to a wider audience across digital platforms, print media, television, and radio utilising public relations, advertising and digital marketing tools. Investment Awareness Campaign Our investment marketing campaign was centred around this quarter’s theme of ‘Now’s the time to invest in the KZN South Coast!’. By highlighting the potential and success within our key investment sectors, we’re encouraging investors to act fast to maximise the benefits found here. The launch of our short promotional video features the region’s potential across agribusiness, the ocean economy, real estate, tourism, manufacturing and more. Take a look at the video here. Buy Local Campaign The Buy Local campaign continues to attract new members and gain more support, particularly in the run-up to the festive season (read more HERE). Forming part of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) Buy Back SA initiative, the Buy Local campaign has a number of member benefits: Exposure across all SCTIE marketing channels. Business support and networking opportunities. Valuable member credibility. Up-to-date information sharing. Free Buy Local membership until 30 June 2025. To purchase goods sold or secure services from Buy Local businesses visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To make orders from Buy Local members or join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.
Investment Networking
We have taken every opportunity to engage with industry stakeholders and market the KZN South Coast to the rest of the country, and a global audience. KZN Investment Conference From 11 to 12 November, we attended the KZN Investment Conference at the Durban ICC. This event fostered trade and investment opportunities by creating platforms for discussions with industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, all hinged on this year’s theme: ‘Unlocking KZN’s Economic Potential: Driving Trade and Investment to Transform the Province’s Future’. RNM Investment Conference From 23 to 24 October, we attended the Ray Nkonyeni Investment Conference at the Estuary Hotel in Port Edward. It was here that government officials, business leaders, community advocates, and industry experts in sustainable development convened to find a collaborative approach that drives investment in our region. The conference programme welcomed a number of speakers who shared their views around the theme ‘Driving Sustainable Growth Through Strategic Investments in RNM’, led by programme director Vukile Nongcebo McKenzie.
Investment Successes
There are many reasons to recognise our investment growth on the KZN South Coast this quarter, as our infrastructure upgrades and investor support continue to make this an attractive destination. Port Shepstone Mall The highly anticipated Port Shepstone Mall officially opened its doors on 24 October 2024, solidifying this coastal town as a key business hub on the KZN South Coast. Costing an estimated R550 million, the Port Shepstone Mall is set to become the main service hub used by the entire district. The three-storey development includes underground parking, with provision for just under 24 000m2 of retail space, public facilities, and informal traders. Serenity Hills Just a year after the official sod-turning ceremony in 2023, the first buyers of the eco-focused Serenity Hills near Margate have taken up residence. The clubhouse has been built with investors coming from around the world to enjoy the KZN South Coast lifestyle, estate security, award-winning restaurant, community market, and high-quality homes and facilities. This is a significant milestone for the vibrant coastal estate, with momentum set to increase as more investors discover this unique residential gem. Read more about this HERE. Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate In November, the developers of the Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate in Pennington joined 15 other KZN businesses in pledging to invest a total of R70.8 billion over the next two years at the KZN Investment Conference in Durban. This significant commitment underscores the real estate investment potential that exists along the KZN South Coast, with the developers anticipating a surge of interest in the over-50s lifestyle development. Read the full story HERE. Natal Portland Cement Another pledge at the KZN Investment Conference was made by Natal Portland Cement (NPC), which is investing R1.2 billion to expand its plant based near Port Shepstone. NPC became a subsidiary of China’s Huaxin Cement after taking over the assets from Intercement, with big plans for expansion of its cement manufacturing plant set to create hundreds of jobs in the area. Renishaw Coastal Precinct The 1 300-hectare Renishaw Coastal Precinct in Scottburgh, one of the country’s largest developments, has celebrated a milestone with the sale of two key sites that are set to further unlock the region’s investment potential. One sale concluded was to nationally renowned Cubisol Group for the development of an upmarket shopping centre within the precinct. The second sale was to well-known local business owners, Hampsons, for the construction of a petrol filling station and convenience store. Negotiations are currently underway regarding sales for a church, hotel, and school, with further plans for recreational facilities including Padel courts.
Website and Digital Update
Our revamped website and active social media platforms engage existing and new followers daily. Digital marketing provides visitors with real-time information directly to their tablets or smartphones and encourages direct engagement to better inform our communication and marketing efforts. Social Media The social media platforms are shared between tourism and investment and we’ve maintained our assertive approach to brand awareness for investment. Increased frequency of published content focused on the potential investors and attracting investment to the KZN South Coast has also contributed to exposing new investment opportunities. The platforms have resulted in substantial and positive cross-platform engagement. Mid-quarter, we achieved impressive statistics including 245 855 impressions, close to 7,000 engagements, and a 187% net audience growth bringing new followers across all platforms. We’ve also employed post-boosting strategies to target specific audiences which has enhanced our social media reach and engagement. Website Our ongoing commitment to the investment website has led to a multitude of changes, including a more enhanced One Stop Shop (OSS) digital experience. Presently, there is at least one enquiry per week leading to more direct engagement with both existing and potential investors. Additionally, there have been over a dozen software and plugin enhancements since 12 December 2023 ensuring the maintenance of the website with updated and accurate information. Push Notifications There are a myriad of notifications that are sent including multimedia, links, and key milestones. These are consistently communicated to establishments, stakeholders, and board members within both sectors. In line with our digital campaign and SM focus, content here is also focused on the potential investors and attracting investment to the KZN South Coast. We’ve more than doubled the number of Push Notifications since the previous quarter to intensify our digital communication and immediately inform stakeholders of important developments. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Our SEO efforts have significantly boosted our investment website traffic and engagement. In this quarter, we will be optimising our content with relevant investment articles tailored to search engine algorithms and user intent. Additionally, we are introducing new backend mechanisms and software, along with exploring SEO artificial intelligence (AI) tools to further enhance our SEO strategy. Explore the KZN South Coast app Our app undergoes daily updates through a single Content Management System. This ensures continuous growth – alongside the 100 changes to the website. While the app focuses on the exploration and experience of tourists visiting the KZN South Coast, offering a user-friendly interface for easy navigation, it is also a great marketing tool for investors to familiarise themselves with the offerings throughout the region. With the growing numbers on the Apple IOS and Google Play store, it is quickly becoming a go-to for investment information. Database Management Due to the overwhelming response, we had to the last Push Notification and internal mailer to local establishments asking for their listing updates, we have opted to send out POPI-compliant communication once a month. This will ensure the database remains up-to-date for potential and existing investors, assisting in an accurate investment newsletter distribution, investment website, and app.
Marketing Update
Our investment marketing campaign continues to highlight the region’s investment offerings with the annual ‘Uncover Potential’ theme running through our messaging. This campaign speaks to revealing hidden strengths, beauty, and potential in the area, and reinforces key investment sectors on the KZN South Coast. Marketing Campaigns Investment Awareness Campaign This quarter our ‘Uncover Potential’ marketing message has been focused on the Ugu District One Stop Shop, as well as our Buy Local campaign, creating business and investor awareness around these two platforms. Buy Local Campaign Update There continues to be an upward trajectory with our Buy Local campaign – forming part of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) Buy Back SA initiative – with several new members enjoying the free membership which extends until 30 June 2025. We have created extensive marketing material around the Buy Local campaign, including an infographic and digital badges. 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. Investment Destination Video We are excited to launch the KZN South Coast’s investment destination video this quarter. This short promotional video highlights the key investment, trade, and business potential of the region across agribusiness, the ocean economy, real estate, tourism, manufacturing and more. Take a look at the video here. Ugu District OSS Video We secured Maverick Film International to produce a marketing video on our Ugu District OSS effectively highlighting the services offered. The video is being shared extensively across our various social media platforms. View the full video here.
One Stop Shop (OSS) Investor Workshop
On 30 January, we welcomed local businesses to Port Shepstone Civic Centre under Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality for the Ugu District One Stop Shop (OSS) Investor Workshop. Hosted in partnership with Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), the workshop gave local businesses insight into the services offered by the Ugu District OSS various government departments – including those under the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Ithala, Agency of Food Safety, and Tourism Grading – to assist them and contribute to the economy of the area. The event welcomed our Board members; Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) Acting CEO, Sihle Ngcamu; the Acting District Mayor and Local Municipal Mayor, representatives from Ithala, the Food Safety Agency & Tourism Grading, EDTEA, as well as local media, stakeholders, and other government representatives. The Ugu District One Stop Shop – which is based at our offices at 16 Bisset Street in Port Shepstone – coordinates input from various role-players including investors, developers, industry, civil stakeholders, and provincial and municipal officials. This is supported by the collaborative efforts of various government departments and organisations that work with the One Stop Shop to reduce the red tape and facilitate business in the area. Services offered by Ugu District One Stop Shop include: 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.
Public Relations Update
We continue to develop our media relations with the dissemination of sector-specific press releases targeting financial and business-directed media houses. By highlighting the key investment opportunities and significant potential that exists on the KZN South Coast, we are piquing the interest of investors across the board. In addition, we are engaging directly with media on key areas and growth sectors to encourage positive exposure across all platforms. Where queries arise relating to any challenges faced by the local industry, we are quick to provide clear responses that ensure the KZN South Coast is positioned in the best possible light across publications and broadcast media. Press releases issued 14 November 2023 – 13 February 2024 KZN South Coast coffee now stocked at vida e caffè across KZN – 17 November 2023 Upgrade of Marine Drive will increase accessibility within the KZN South Coast – 23 November 2023 New Buy Local members extend rural and township tourism on the KZN South Coast – 30 November 2023 First buyers take ownership at KZN South Coast’s exciting new eco-estate development – 04 December 2023 SCTIE in Partnership with TIKZN Hosts Investor Workshop on Ugu District One Stop Shop Services – 31 January 2024 KZN South Coast manufacturers provide local supply of quality-made products – 08 February 2024 Spread the love locally this Valentine’s Day with homegrown gifts on the KZN South Coast – 09 February 2024 Property development gets a welcome boost on the KZN South Coast – 13 February 2024
Advertising Update
Digital platforms continue to be a preferred format for our investment advertising, considering the scale of reach and real-time messaging it allows. We have shared our investment awareness messaging, Buy Local and One Stop Shop updates, as well as catalytic projects across social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. This quarter we are promoting new Buy Local members, our growth sectors, as well as key property developments.
Website and Digital Update
Social Media Ahead of the summer and festive season, we have taken a more aggressive approach to marketing the KZN South Coast and creating more operator brand awareness campaigns. As the platforms are shared between tourism and investment, there has been a substantial increase in content production of 424 posts, resulting in a 110.9% increase from the previous period. This shows a strong commitment to consistently sharing information, updates, or engaging content with our audience. We have seen 118 333 impressions (up 22% from the previous period), 4 941 engagements (up 16.9%), 146 post-link clicks (up 151.7%), and a 4.2% engagement rate (per impression). Additionally, specific multimedia video clips were created and promoted across all the platforms exploring various topics. Website The corporate and investment websites were updated to reflect the new SCTIE Board Members, their names, details, and images for transparency. Other content changes were made consistently across the website and, to promote articles, we used backlinking and sharing the press release URLs on the related establishment’s social media platforms. This integrated approach increased exposure to attract potential investors. Push Notifications Our establishments received marketing push notifications highlighting our ‘Unlimited Opportunities for Investment’ and announcing the new Board Members. These notifications engaged establishments, inspiring them to share this messaging with their databases to highlight the investment and tourism possibilities on the KZN South Coast. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Our SEO services have proven highly effective in boosting website traffic and increasing interest in our online platforms. Through continuous SEO optimisation strategies, including creating engaging and relevant articles, we have witnessed a substantial progression in our digital footprint. These articles are carefully crafted to align with search engine algorithms and user intent, improving organic search rankings and visibility to increase website traffic. Explore the KZN South Coast app Our app undergoes daily updates through a single Content Management System (CMS) to ensure continuous growth, including the 88 changes from the website. This has revolutionised the visitor experience by engaging with new offerings on the KZN South Coast. It has a user-friendly interface that facilitates easy navigation, and provides up-to-date, information on popular attractions, accommodations, dining options, and local events. It also incorporates interactive maps and other innovative features such as interactive contact details which operate from almost all devices. Investment Prospectus We put together a detailed Investment Prospectus on the KZN South Coast identifying nearly 100 investment opportunities to attract investors at local, national, and global levels. Our research, which included over 200 respondents, provided accurate and comprehensive results which will be available under the ‘Media’ tab in the ‘Research‘ section soon. The opportunities spanned sectors like tourism, real estate, infrastructure, and renewable energy, backed by supporting case studies. The availability of pre-existing, successful case studies on the KZN South Coast played a pivotal role, offering evidence of successful investments and instilling confidence.
Advertising Update
This quarter, we have leveraged our digital platforms for advertising purposes, sharing our key catalytic projects and growth sectors across Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. This has proven both a cost-effective and impactful advertising strategy reaching our target market directly through digital media.