Port Shepstone is fast becoming an economic hub with unlimited investment opportunities
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 31 August 2022 Port Shepstone is fast becoming an economic hub with unlimited investment opportunities Located just an hour-and-a-half south of Durban, the once small seaside town of Port Shepstone is fast being established as an economic hub on the KZN South Coast. And those looking for key investment opportunities won’t be disappointed by this thriving oceanside economy. “Port Shepstone has always been a popular tourism destination, but the past few years have seen the town developing into a strategic economic and cultural hub, boasting a wide variety of investment opportunities across all sectors,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “Our role is to connect potential investors with the many opportunities found here, while facilitating all processes to make doing business on the KZN South Coast as inviting as possible.” As the official economic development arm of the region, SCTIE was formed when two entities, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) and Ugu South Coast Development Agency (USCDA), amalgamated this year. This unity was able to bring together a vast amount of experience and resources, with the team proactively identifying and unlocking the area’s full potential. SCTIE has also partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to establish a One Stop Shop office in the KZN South Coast. This aims to improve the efficiency of doing business and ensuring investors have access to municipal incentives in the district. Situated between the vibrant coastal towns of Hibberdene and Margate, Port Shepstone has emerged as the area’s the administrative, educational, distribution and commercial centre. As such, the area has key business-driving services including the major banks, government departments and South African Revenue Service (SARS) offices. Port Shepstone is also the seat for both Ray Nkonyeni and Ugu District municipalities, with many businesses using the town as a base for their head offices. When it comes to events, from business conferences through to sports, Port Shepstone is considered a prime destination. The area offers a wide variety of accommodation, conferencing and banqueting venues, as well as quality dining options. Its seaside proximity and many iconic tourism sites continue to establish this as a MICE destination. The area has a year-round subtropical climate and nutrient-rich soil which create the perfect conditions for agriculture – a fact which is made evident by the surrounding farmlands. The women-owned BBS Farm is a great example of the agricultural and agritourism opportunities in Port Shepstone and surrounds. The tomatoes and macadamias grown here are internationally sourced, with BBS Farm forming one of the stops on the popular Agri-CULTURE Tours offering. The area’s manufacturing potential remains abundant, with the textile industry in Marburg and successful furniture manufacturing in the region are good indicators of what is to come with the right vision and investment. And with Port Shepstone situated on the N2 with easy accessibility to King Shaka International Airport and Durban Harbour, the potential for a thriving logistics industry is waiting to be untapped. The location of the KZN South Coast means it’s also a gateway to the Eastern Cape connecting the economies of these regions. The ocean economy adjacent to Port Shepstone also boasts a number of investment opportunities, from the established tourism economy through to renewable energy production, sustainable fisheries and even maritime transport. And considering the growing trend of coastal estates as primary residential options, Port Shepstone is a valuable real estate asset. Recent reports indicate that the KZN South Coast is becoming more in demand as people consider ‘semigration’ living, whereby they retain jobs inland and work remotely from the coast. Considering the cost-effectiveness of KZN South Coast properties compared with other coastal regions, alongside the attractive lifestyle and climate, the demand is only set to grow. Opportunities abound in terms of estate living, resorts, retail and educational offerings with ample undeveloped municipal land which is just primed for investors. “Port Shepstone is really the gateway to the KZN South Coast, and is just primed for great investment opportunities,” continued Mangu. “It’s really just a matter of who gets in first. We’re ready to assist investors, both locally and internationally, who are looking for a low-risk opportunity that promises massive return on investment.” To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s many investment opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/. /ENDS All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct image credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied. High resolution image is available upon request. (Image: Supplied by SCTIE) Port Shepstone Country Club. About KZN South Coast Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu
There are unlimited opportunities for investment on the KZN South Coast!
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 25 August 2022 There are unlimited opportunities for investment on the KZN South Coast! The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, which is home to iconic natural resources and world-class facilities – boasts incredible potential for those looking for a worthwhile investment. And the recent establishment of the South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) provides the ideal gateway to foster investor relations in the region. The official economic development arm, SCTIE was formed when two regional entities, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) and Ugu South Coast Development Agency (USCDA), amalgamated this year. This unified the experience and resources to create an impactful organisation that is set to proactively identify and unlock the area’s full potential. SCTIE has also partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to establish a One Stop Shop office in the KZN South Coast. This aims to improve the efficiency of doing business and ensuring investors have access to municipal incentives in the district. “Extending from our incredible coastline through to the hinterland region, the KZN South Coast offers unlimited investment opportunities across a variety of economic sectors,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE. “Our role is to identify the areas for potential investment, provide the necessary on-site support and packaging of new business ventures, and to break down any barriers to investment for the benefit of both our investors and local communities. This is an exciting new journey and one that will position the KZN South Coast as a prime investment destination locally and internationally.” The KZN South Coast, which extends from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding, is ideally located in terms of access to key national economic hubs while also offering international access. Along the N2 the region is connected to nearby Durban and King Shaka International Airport, with the newly renovated Margate Airport providing further opportunities. With a subtropical climate and exceptional soil quality, the KZN South Coast is ripe for agribusiness investments. The area is already thriving in produce, timber and livestock farming, with much economic potential ready to be unlocked in these sectors. This then lends itself to massive opportunities in the manufacturing sector with potential for logistics and transport to expand here as well. The combination of agricultural enterprises and tourism has already resulted in the successful Agri-CULTURE Tours experience launched earlier this year. The warm weather, 58 golden beaches and incredible natural abundance found along the KZN South Coast have already established it as a popular holiday destination – but there’s much more potential to be unlocked in the real estate sector. Housing estates and coastal resorts are in massive demand within South African and beyond, and the KZN South Coast is sitting with available land, sea views and great swimming beaches to meet this need. This supports a growing retail sector which can support locally manufactured goods. A major attraction to the region is the Indian Ocean which is ready to be used for a sustainable ‘blue economy’. The region has highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN, two world-renowned dive sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, and the annual Sardine Run, all of which are already being leveraged for tourism opportunities. However, more can be done in terms of creating sustainable fisheries, renewable energy production, and maritime transport. The region is also home to Oribi Gorge and Umtamvuna Gorge, the Red Desert – the smallest desert on Earth – KwaXolo Caves, 11 quality golf courses, waterfalls and nature reserves. Add in the area’s accessibility, established infrastructure, venues and eateries, and the KZN South Coast is an in-demand film, events and business destination set to explode on the global stage. “The opportunities for investment on the KZN South Coast truly are unlimited,” continued Mangcu. “We’re engaging with various role players and interested stakeholders while providing business support to attract and assist investors who are looking for something new.” To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s many investment opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za. To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/. /ENDS All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct image credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied. High resolution images are available upon request. (Images: Supplied by SCTIE) KwaXolo Caves. BBS Farm (Southport). Ubumbano Homestead (Amandawe). About KZN South Coast Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series. Issued on behalf of: South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) Disseminated by: Olivia Jones Communications For more information please contact: Olivia Jones Communications Cell: 083 653 1720 Email: media@oliviajones.co.za
Women investing in women on the KZN South Coast
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 15 August 2022 Women investing in women on the KZN South Coast Following the amalgamation of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) and Ugu South Coast Development Agency (USCDA), the newly formed South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) is pleased to announce two impressive women at the helm; CEO Phelisa Mangcu, and Investment and Development Manager, Nkululeko Hlongwane. Working alongside their dynamic team, Phelisa and Nkululeko are ensuring that SCTIE, as the official economic development arm of the region, optimises service delivery, enhances efficiencies and drives the economy of the KZN South Coast by positioning it as a prime tourism and investment destination. A single mother-of-four, Phelisa has brought a wealth of global tourism experience to the KZN South Coast, having worked in the tourism sector in Washington DC in the United States in the early 1990s. In 1999, she returned to South Africa where she took on a position in the tourism unit at IDC (Industrial Development Corporation), before relocating to JHB Tourism. In 2018, Phelisa made the bold decision to relocate with her four daughters to the KZN South Coast where she relished the opportunity to grow the local tourism and investment offerings. She was appointed the CEO position of (then) USCT, which allowed her to continue improving the lives of South African citizens and showcasing the beauty of the country to the world. “This was my first time working in a more rural, coastal setting as I’d only worked in big cities prior to this,” said Phelisa. “I was so warmly welcomed into the community at Shelly Beach and have been astounded at the amazing tourism opportunities that await visitors here. I’m honoured to be in a position to work closely with the local businesses, provincial and national stakeholders to achieve our goals of placing the KZN South Coast on the global map.” Working with her team, Phelisa has enjoyed the task of growing tourism in the region by unlocking the potential of the unique tourism offerings – Blue Flag beaches, two world-renowned dive sites, 11 quality golf courses, two iconic gorges, the world’s smallest desert, the Sardine Run and endless nature reserves. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, floods and riots in KZN, Phelisa’s leadership has resulted in massive rural tourism development, adding to the diversity of experiences found along the KZN South Coast. The Agri-GULTURE Tours, KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails, Umzumbe River Trail, and the KwaXolo Caves are just some of the unique experiences that drive the local economy in rural areas. “The formation of SCTIE is an exciting new chapter for the region’s development, as it combines the expertise and resources of two entities for a more unified and effective vision,” she explained. “We are working to market the region’s tourism and investment offerings while eradicating barriers to these along the way.” Joining Phelisa on the SCTIE team is enthusiastic manager and fellow Shelly Beach resident, Nkululeko Hlongwane. Born and raised in the small town of Estcourt in the KZN Midlands, Nkululeko has always been passionate about her home province and sharing its many wonders with the rest of the world. The mother-of-two quickly took to the KZN South Coast when she relocated to the area in 2013. This passion is backed by a solid educational foundation, having received a Postgraduate Diploma in Local Economic Development from University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Bachelor of Technology in Management, Diploma in Community Extension, an Advanced Certificate in Project Management. She arrives in her latest role with 16 years of experience across various government and economic development fields. Some of her previous roles were at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Johannesburg ProductivitySA, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. She’s excited to take on the role of Investment and Development Manager for SCTIE, working with local and international stakeholders in promoting the region. “As we are recovering from various shocks which affected the economic growth and job creation, my focus will be to ensure that, as the investor destination, we keep existing businesses and jobs in our area, while promoting business expansion and attracting new investment from both domestic and international investors,” said the driven Nkululeko. “We will ensure that the enterprise thrives, effectively becoming a one-stop shop for investment promotion and facilitation for the KZN South Coast through strong public-private partnership.” Outside of her workplace duties, Nkululeko enjoys reading, travelling with her family, hiking in the region’s beautiful reserves and embarking on some extreme adventure activities! To find out more about the KZN South Coast tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn; www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! To access previous USCT press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/ /ENDS All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct image credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied. High resolution images are available upon request. (Images: Supplied by SCTIE) South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) CEO Phelisa Mangcu. South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) Investment and Development Manager, Nkululeko Hlongwane. About KZN South Coast Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours