Marketing Update
Through stakeholder engagements, dedicated partnerships, and extensive marketing, we’re continuing to unearth the KZN South Coast’s investment potential. We are not only using our existing platforms, but developing new avenues to market catalytic projects and feature our growth sectors to potential investors. Marketing Campaigns This quarter we launched the overriding ‘Uncover Potential’ marketing message as we showcase the diverse investment opportunities on the KZN South Coast. Investment Awareness Campaign Our investment awareness marketing shares the ‘Uncover Potential’ messaging, encouraging our residents and businesses to promote the KZN South Coast’s investment potential. Our focal talking points have been catalytic projects, the Port Shepstone business hub, agriculture, renewable energy, the ocean economy, as well as the ongoing Buy Local campaign. Buy Local Campaign Update The Buy Local campaign, which is an integrated tourism and investment initiative, continues to attract new members while encouraging support for local businesses. Our tourism sector has seen a boost with the addition of Monate Outdoor Activities offering hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures; Kasified Eksperience, a township tourism organisation which focuses on shisanyama and events in Gamalakhe; as well as the exquisite private guesthouse, Villa Doré. We have created extensive marketing material around the Buy Local campaign, including an infographic and digital badges. The benefits to both businesses and consumers are immense, with the Buy Local membership 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. Investment Destination Video We have produced a new investment destination video for promotional purposes. Our 3- minute and 1- minute videos position the KZN South Coast as a premier investment, trade, and business destination. The videos capture the district’s key investment potential in sectors such as agribusiness, ocean economy, real estate, tourism, manufacturing and more. Investment Research The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in collaboration with Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and KZN Provincial Treasury presented the quarterly Ezomnotho publication. This provides in-depth insight into economic developments and is used by our investment and marketing teams to inform plans where necessary. EDTEA MEC Siboniso Duma noted that 54 000 jobs were created in KZN for Q1 and the third lowest level of unemployment. He says this shows a need for ‘policy priorities to focus on inclusive economic growth that promotes public and private sector investment in productive infrastructure, and engaging economic development partners and stakeholders to promote key trade and investment opportunities in a more targeted way’. KZN was the second-highest contributor to the country’s GDP after Gauteng, with finance, manufacturing, community services, and trade as the leading economic contributors. The highly diversified agricultural sector was highlighted, with KZN producing over 50% of all timber and a significant portion of sugar cane, both of which are found here. Our natural assets including scenic beauty, biodiversity, and cultural diversity were also noted as key for the tourism potential, which is set to grow further. Ugu District was one of the regions noted for its environmental impact assessment (EIA) approvals which are set to create further employment opportunities and unlock further potential within the region. In total KZN granted 24 EIAs with a capital value of R6.9 billion which are expected to create 2 991 jobs during the construction phase and 1 239 jobs during the operation phase. One Stop Shop (OSS) On 8 November, 4 of our staff members attended a workshop at the Trade & Investment KZN (TIKZN) offices in Durban. This included operational training on the CIPC Self-Service machine by the KZN OSS Administration Support Officer. The workshop also featured a presentation on how the One Stop Shop (OSS) operations and the mandate which is derived from the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC). This is to support investors in terms of: Improving the ease of doing business including support for land zoning, regulatory approvals, and issuing of permits. Reducing red tape associated with development applications. Provide project brokering services to catalytic projects. The Ugu OSS is implemented in partnership with TIKZN with the launch anticipated for 30 January 2023. This is the fourth OSS office to be launched under the leadership of MEC Duma, with the launch 100% funded by TIKZN. We are working with several partners on this including, the EDTEA, CIPC, ITHALA, Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), BPESA, and more who are extending their services for the OSS. The office is currently in operation virtually and physically.
Infrastructure Upgrade
The much-anticipated rehabilitation of Marine Drive (the P395), connecting Port Shepstone with Southbroom is underway. The R580-million project was launched by the Department of Transport in June with construction starting in September, anticipated to take around 30 months to complete. This will improve accessibility to Port Shepstone, our administrative, educational, distribution, commercial, and cultural centre, as well as enhancing the area’s significant investment potential.
New Board Members
We would like to welcome our new SCTIE Board Members to the team! Mr Sandile Dlomo, Ms Nongcebo Mckenzie, Mr Lunga Yeni, Dr Khululiwe Godlwana, and Mr Thokozani Sabela are the newly appointed members who are already planning site and project visits, with a strategic planning session outlined. They will work to fulfil functions within the Ugu Economic Recovery Framework: Strategy and Plan (2022-2032) and its specific economic targets to be met over a five and 10-year period.
Public Relations Update
The regular distribution of our investment-focused press releases to targeted business and investment media continues to gain traction, further exposing our potential to new markets. We are building important connections with new media through these engagements and are enjoying further opportunities for exposure such as an article set to feature in Africa Business Quarterly. Press releases issued 18 August 2023 – 14 November 2023 Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility increases accessibility and retail opportunities for this business hub – 22 August 2023 Local business boost as KZN South Coast’s Buy Local campaign gains momentum – 25 August 2023 KZN South Coast boasts investor potential in the renewable energy sector – 28 August 2023 KZN South Coast collective creates app to drive coffee growth and investment opportunities in agriculture – 12 September 2023 Rural Tourism Investment Opportunities on the Rise on KZN South Coast – 30 October 2023 Buy Local campaign continues to flourish on the KZN South Coast – 06 November 2023
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.
GOOD NEWS – Recycling gets Bizana learners thinking outside the box to reuse waste
GOOD NEWS – Recycling gets Bizana learners thinking outside the box to reuse waste Plangeni Junior Secondary School helps tackle the South African landfill issue, as well as bullying, a social wellbeing issue CAPTION: Katlego Dindi, aged 12, from Plangeni Junior Secondary School building a toy car out of waste items Towards the end of 2022, Sun International collaborated with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) in a two-year partnership to create eco-classrooms and build environmental resilience in 18 schools and their communities around the country. The South Coast’s Wild Coast Sun donated R112,000 towards the WESSA programme and has since been working with Plangeni Junior Secondary School situated in Bizana, first in March for Global Recycling Day and again in May with teacher-learner workshops. Global Recycling Day, March 2023 To celebrate Global Recycling Day held annually on March 18, the Resort and WESSA organised a day session at the primary school to discuss the South African landfill crisis and take action. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling and encourage people to take action to reduce waste and protect the environment. “This year, Global Recycling Day was themed “Creative Innovation’ which calls on people to be think outside the box and find new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle waste,” said Sonja Stroud, Wild Coast Sun’s Sustainability Manager. “And as such, we wanted to get the teachers and learners from Plangeni Junior Secondary School to think outside the box and come up with innovative ways to reduce waste that would ordinarily be placed in landfills.” According to WESSA, South Africa’s landfill capacity is fast becoming a crisis as indicated by the alarming statistics that only 7,5% of South Africans recycle waste and 90% of waste produced ending up in landfills. The eco-classroom started with educating learners from Plangeni Junior Secondary School, aged 10 to 13, about the issue of waste and landfills in the country and then they were encouraged to come up with ideas of how to reduce this issue. “Putting our recyclables in the bin is not sustainable enough – we need to be proactive and find new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle,” said WESSA’s Environmental Education Officer, Iphendule Xhakana. Together, the learners and teachers, showcased their creativity by designing and constructing innovative crafts – such as stationery holders, toys, bird feeders and pot plants – from recycled items. CAPTION: Learners from Plangeni Junior Secondary School exploring art crafts on the gallery walk which sparked inspiration Teacher-learner workshops, completion in May 2023 Up to end May 2023, Plangeni Junior Secondary School has completed three of the four identified teacher-learner Wellbeing Capacity Development workshops, which have focused on social wellness of teachers, learners and the community, as well as environmental wellness. Bullying and pollution are two issues the school identified as areas they need to address. “The objective of the workshops is to provide teachers and learners with tools to assess and evaluate their current social and environmental wellness, and take steps towards creating awareness, educating others and encouraging constructive change,” said Stroud. To better grasp how daily actions affect the environment, everyone actively participated in discussions and a carbon footprint activity. “Six teachers and 19 learners completed the workshops and are fully committed to reduce actions that have a detrimental impact on the environment and wellbeing of others, and are working on campaigns to educate the remainder of the school – its teachers and learners – as well as take these important lessons home and expand awareness,” said Xhakana. According to Lungisa Gula, Grade 7 and 8 Life Orientation and Natural Sciences teacher from the school, “The wellbeing of our learners is always a priority for us, because overall health, happiness and productivity are impacted. These workshops have benefitted us in that we are constructively addressing issues and implementing strategies to combat them. Also, by working with our learners, we are not only addressing issues that are important to them (and us) but we are helping them to think outside the box.” With the aid of the Wild Coast Sun funding, Plangeni Junior Secondary School has been in the WESSA eco-classroom programme since July 2022, which in its first year has completed: the baseline assessment, creation of an environmental calendar, two teacher workshops and three of the four implementation sessions – with the last one scheduled for June 2023. “Wild Coast Sun believes in the impact of sound education and will continue to invest in community education as we aim to change the future of South Africa,” said Stroud. Ends. Notes to editor Feedback from Plangeni Junior Secondary School: “We would like to express our deep gratitude for the dedicated work you do at our school. Our learners are very happy and enthusiastic to learn more from the project and workshop from WESSA. Lastly thank you for your friendly, dependable services through the season. We simply couldn’t be more grateful.” Lungisani Gula from Plangeni Junior Secondary School. “WESSA helps us to understand the importance of taking care of the environment, so we thank you and we are still willing to learn more,” by Olwami Makhosimane. Follow Wild Coast Sun for news updates: Facebook: @WildCoastSun Instagram: @wildcoastsunresort
Advertising Update
Our investment messaging was further shared through our dedicated advertising campaign centred on the #unlimitedopportunities for investment. This quarter, our advertising material included and will be seen in the coming month: Inflight Magazine – Ocean economy advert Premier Magazine – Manufacturing advert Street Pole Adverts in Joburg;s financial sectors advertising property, agriculture and the economy National Radio Advert (SAFM) on the #unlimited investment opportunities in real estate, manufacturing, and agribusiness while highlighting the #buylocal campaign