Unlimited tourism opportunities to celebrate on the KZN South Coast this Tourism Month
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 12 September 2022 Unlimited tourism opportunities to celebrate on the KZN South Coast this Tourism Month With the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province, two world-renowned dive sites, iconic gorges, waterfalls and international-standard golf courses, it’s no surprise there’s a lot to celebrate this Tourism Month on the KZN South Coast. The hinterland, in particular, remains an area of significant potential for investment, with the success of existing tourism offerings a great example of this potential. “In line with the theme, we’re ‘Rethinking Tourism’ by developing unique experiences that grow the tourism economy. Rural tourism development not only extends the economical footprint of this sector, but it also unlocks some truly incredible investment opportunities in terms of outdoor, adventure tourism products,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “This Tourism Month, we want to highlight one such offering, the Umzumbe River Trail, as an example of what can be achieved when we invest in rural tourism.” Launched in May 2022, Umzumbe River Trail connects the lush hinterland with the popular coastline through the 70km Green Flag Trail. Led by trained trail guides starting at Mhlabatshane Dam, visitors are given the option of walking, hiking, trail running, biking, or horse riding along six trails that are connected via Zulu homesteads. Overnight stays are provided, with guests given the chance to experience the traditional Zulu lifestyle found along the banks of the Umzumbe and Mhlabatshane rivers. As Mangcu explained: “There are more than 1 000 registered hiking trails across South Africa’s nine provinces that offer an immersive experience for tourists. These remain popular with local and international travellers as they combine outdoor adventure with cultural enlightenment. The development of the Umzumbe River Trail is just one example of such tourism investments that are already reaping rewards.” Khanya Tuntulwana, Director of Odumo Projects and Route Liaison Officer of the Umzumbe River Trail, said the visitor response has been enthusiastic: “We’ve taken a few groups on the trail which is a beautiful open space with fantastic views of the dam as you set off. Our guests have all enjoyed the experience which is creating so many economic opportunities for the local communities.” In addition to the adventure, rural and agritourism offerings, the KZN South Coast is home to 58 golden beaches, six of which hold Blue Flag status, and the highest number of tidal pools in the province for protected bathing. Added to this are the key dive sites and Marine Protected Areas at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, as well as the annual Sardine Run, and the area boasts great opportunities in terms of travel and tourism accommodation and product choices. SCTIE has partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to create the One-Stop Shop which is a platform for potential investors and businesses to unlock investment opportunities and municipal support. To find out more about KZN South Coast’s many tourism and 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) Umzumbe River Trail. Umzumbe River Trail. 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
There are endless real estate opportunities to be found on the KZN South Coast
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 29 September 2022 There are endless real estate opportunities to be found on the KZN South Coast “Real estate statistics for 2020 and 2021 leave no room for doubt: properties in various areas of South Africa’s coast are soaring in popularity. The idea of moving to warmer climes, enjoying stunning sea views and making the most of a relaxed way of life has been transformed from a pipedream to a priority.” – Jawitz Properties Where South Africa’s coastline was once reserved for holiday venues and second homes, there has been a massive spike in the number of people buying primary residential property by the sea. And with its subtropical climate, fantastic swimming beaches, laidback lifestyle, and cost-effective market, the KZN South Coast offers incredible opportunities for those looking to invest in real estate. “We have noticed a significant rise in interest recently in the KZN South Coast real estate, and we feel that the time is right for people wanting an affordable investment that will only grow in value,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “From the coastal region through to the hinterland where our agricultural opportunities exist, there are endless real estate investment offerings across the entire sector. As SCTIE, we’re ready to pave the way for local and international investors who are interested in doing business on the KZN South Coast.” The interest in sea-facing residential properties is evident from recent reports. In a May 2022 Businesstech article, Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property Group said there had been a rise in coastal sales from 15% to 18% between 2020 and 2021. Likewise, the January 2022 Jawitz Properties piece, Properties on South Africa’s coast enjoy ‘wave’ of popularity, noted that the coastal market is more ‘robust’ than inland, with the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal ‘among the provinces that have enjoyed remarkable growth in the last two years. Several Covid-19-related trends are driving investment in coastal real estate. Firstly, the ‘working from home’ trend whereby people are combining their residential and commercial activities for a live-work-play lifestyle. Children are accommodated in the green, open spaces and at the seaside, while parents enjoy working with a view. Secondly, there’s the popular ‘semigration’ trend, whereby people are wanting to enhance their lives and lifestyles by moving to a different area of the country. In this case, it’s the seaside. The digital revolution means there’s no physical need to be residing near commercial hubs, yet the KZN South Coast also allows for accessibility to such hubs via the N2, Margate Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. Thirdly, the isolated living experience prompted a desire to live away from busy city centres. Eco-estate living is dramatically on the rise, with the KZN South Coast primed for such sustainable developments. From retirement villages to family homes, which allow for a relaxed lifestyle with the benefit of safety and security. And with family living comes the need for investment in schooling, from pre-school through to the tertiary sector – another area with great investment potential. But it’s not just residential property that’s available. The KZN South Coast has the space and demand for more commercial offerings, from retail to office parks. And with the manufacturing industry on the rise, plus the potential for a Port Shepstone Harbour, industrial property is always a great investment. A subtropical climate and nutrient-rich soil have seen the local agricultural sector explode, with demand for homegrown products across the globe. The potential agritourism offerings have already been demonstrated in SCTIE’s establishment of the Agri-CULTURE Tours earlier this year. The rural land is also becoming unlocked in terms of its property development potential. The current trend has seen a shift from renting coastal properties to building homes in the more rural inland areas, with a number of key development nodes emerging in Amandawe and Umthwalume, among others. “There are so many advantages to investing in property on the KZN South Coast, from the healthy lifestyles afforded residents to the incredible ROI for those interested in investing in the area,” continued Mangcu. “We feel that the time is right for a real estate boom here, where property prices are currently incredibly affordable. This might not be the case for much longer.” SCTIE has partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to create the One-Stop Shop which unlocks investment opportunities for potential investors and businesses. To find out more about this and 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) Renishaw Hills mature lifestyle village on the KZN South Coast. (Image credit: Supplied by Renishaw Hills) Renishaw Hills mature lifestyle village on the KZN South Coast. (Image credit: Supplied by Renishaw Hills) Serenity Hills eco estate on the KZN South Coast. (Image credit: Supplied by Serenity Hills) Serenity Hills eco estate on the KZN South Coast. (Image credit: Supplied by Serenity Hills) San Lameer Golf Course. Margate Airport. 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
Agriculture Investment Opportunities Ripe for the Picking on KZN South Coast
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Attention 08 September 2022 Agriculture Investment Opportunities Ripe for the Picking on KZN South Coast “There remains, however, tremendous still un-tapped potential for agricultural expansion in KwaZulu-Natal…There is also potential to boost agriculture processing activity in the province given the significant presence of manufacturing activity…” – Trade and Investment KZN With its incredible subtropical climate, nutrient-rich soil, steady rainfall pattern and high duration of sunshine, the KZN South Coast is ideally suited to most forms of agricultural investment. Already an established region for produce farming and global exports, there is still unlimited opportunity for agricultural investment within the fertile KZN South Coast. “South Africa is a well-known source of some of the world’s top exported products, and while the agricultural sector on the KZN South Coast is thriving, there is so much more opportunity awaiting those looking to invest,” commented Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The launch of SCTIE earlier this year has enabled us to facilitate the many investment opportunities in the KZN South Coast, by highlighting the region’s potential and paving the way for those looking to do business in the area.” KZN South Coast agricultural production Sugar remains one of the area’s leading exports, with the South African sugar industry a world leader in high-quality sugar. There are currently more than 20 000 registered sugarcane growers in KZN and Mpumalanga, with goods exported across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The South African sugar industry currently generates an annual estimated average income of R14 billion, with the KZN South Coast a key contributor. However, the last few years have seen a significant shift from sugar cane to macadamia nut farming which offers highly attractive investment opportunities. According to Farmer’s Weekly June article The rise of macadamia production in KZN, there is an ‘apparently insatiable demand’ resulting in ‘prices increasing significantly with crops providing good returns for farmers on the KZN South Coast. Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) estimates that the production value from 1991 to 2019 exploded from R3.2 million to around R4.8 billion. Fruit and vegetable production on the KZN South Coast is also incredibly successful, with cauliflower, spinach, beetroot, lettuce and tomatoes just some of the items grown for local and international consumption. In fact, BBS Farm in Southport has created the unique Heritage Tomato among its world-class selection. Other subtropical crops that do really well in this region are flowering and fruiting plants such as citrus, avocado, mango, figs, pineapple and guava. The area is renowned for its banana production with the section between Port Shepstone and Port Edward accounting for the bulk of banana production in the province. Mac Banana in Port Edward is a great example of the potential for an agricultural venture to shift into agri-tourism, generating profits through restaurants, family-friendly activities and locally-grown produce. Coffee, too, is lucrative produce grown along the KZN South Coast with great agritourism potential, as shown by Beaver Creek Coffee Estate in Port Edward and Mpenjati Coffee in Munster. The demand for quality, organically-grown and sustainable coffee production is on the rise, with Statista ranking coffee as ‘among the most consumed beverages worldwide with roughly 42.6 litres per person per year’. Forestry and aquaculture on the KZN South Coast Extending from the warm Indian Ocean through to the farming area of Harding, the agricultural sector found on the KZN South Coast is as diverse as it is abundant. In and around Harding can be found several timber plantations for commercial use. The dominant species are pine, eucalyptus and wattle, although the KZN South Coast has recently seen a boom in the tea tree industry the past few years. Being a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidant, tea tree oil has spiked in popularity, particularly against the backdrop of Covid-19 and the demand for organic hand sanitizers. It also has several other key uses to be tapped into, including insect repellent, cosmetics, antiseptics, mouthwashes, and more. Livestock farming is fairly limited, with cattle the primary livestock found in the area. And while there is a lot of potential in terms of agro-processing opportunities, the ocean’s economy is one that is waiting to be unlocked on the KZN South Coast. The area has two Marine Protected Areas at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks which are already world-class dive sites, but there is further investment opportunity to be explored in renewable energy production, sustainable fisheries and maritime transport. Agro-processing on the KZN South Coast The next investment potential lies in agro-processing – the subset of the manufacturing sector responsible for processing the raw materials. Investment in new processing technologies and increasing the regional capacity to create intermediate goods provide businesses with great opportunities. According to Invest SA, agro-processing opportunities include: • Fruit and vegetable canning • Sub-tropical and tropical fruit juice processing • Oil seed production, edible oil processing, oilcake • Processing of organic, vegan/vegetarian products and dehydrated foods • Expansion of dairy, bakery, and confectionery production • Indigenous plants growing on a commercial scale • Extracting high-value additives, nutraceuticals • Non-edible oil processing • Commercial planting of indigenous flowers • Production of crops for feedstock into biofuels “It is clear that the agricultural sector is doing well, but there remains tremendous potential by expanding our dominant products and further developing existing products,” continued Mangcu. “This can be achieved by creating strong collaborations between government and the private sector. There is much opportunity to boost our agriculture processing activity given the significant presence of manufacturing activity found here.” “South Africa has by far the most modern, productive, and diverse Agribusiness industry. South Africa has the most diversified and industrialised economy, South Africa has a well-developed agricultural sector, which will stand the country in good stead in the face of continuing uncertainty both economically and in terms of the weather, supporting infrastructure (modern and well-developed transport logistics networks in the African continent), and skilled labour. The country has a strong financial and banking sector, healthy legal and regulatory environment