Newsletter | December 2024 - Invest KZN South Coast

SCTIE INVESTMENT NEWSLETTER | December 2024

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE ON THE
SOUTH COAST #UnlimitedOpportunities TO INVEST

Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya

CEO of South Coast Tourism
& Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

It has been an exciting and impactful few weeks in my new role as CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise, and I would like to thank everyone who has made this transition so welcoming. I have relished the opportunity to engage with our vibrant community and stakeholders on innovative ways to showcase the investment and tourism potential of the beautiful KZN South Coast.

My vision for the region’s investment is clear:

•	To diversify our regional investment portfolios by identifying and showcasing lucrative opportunities.
•	To create an investor-friendly environment, establishing the KZN South Coast as a top destination for local and global investments.

Part of the vision for investment includes expanding our tourism sector to increase visitor numbers and spread economic benefits across the region. Tourism and investment go hand-in-hand, because we need visitors here to showcase our investment potential.

I will continue to work with local businesses, government entities, and community organisations in achieving these goals to benefit the region. This quarter’s campaign theme, ‘Now’s the time to invest in the KZN South Coast’ perfectly captures our shared mission. Together, we can unlock the immense potential of the South Coast, driving growth and prosperity.

I look forward to partnering with you on this journey!

	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

Serenity Hills

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.

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.

Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate

Natal Portland Cement

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.

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.


	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.

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

RNM 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.

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.

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

Buy Local 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 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.

PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE

	Through our strong network of media relations, we have been able to generate significant positive exposure for the KZN South Coast’s many investment assets. Our carefully drafted press releases, featuring the various investment growth sectors of the region, are well-received by local and national media, paving the way for media coverage that attracts investor interest.

ADVERTISING UPDATE

	We have harnessed the power of digital platforms over the past year, drawn by their affordability and unparalleled reach. With smartphones now a key source of news and information, we can engage our audience in real-time, delivering concise and impactful messages where they matter most.

DIGITAL UPDATE


	Our digital platforms are strategic gateways to investment, offering real-time updates, advanced functionality, and actionable insights. With constantly refreshed content across our website, app, and social media channels, we connect local, national, and international investors to the KZN South Coast’s vast potential. Through innovative tools and data-driven strategies, we’re redefining the region as a premier destination for investment.



	Social Media		Website

	The social media platforms are shared between tourism and investment. Our data-driven social media strategy has been instrumental in driving awareness and engagement, delivering over 1 million impressions last quarter, growing our audience to more than 14,000 Facebook (Meta) followers, and driving significant cross-platform engagement.		Our investment website has evolved into a comprehensive resource for stakeholders. The newly launched CEO Blog featuring ‘Thought Leader’ articles by Dr Sibiya will serve as a beacon for investment insights, showcasing the region’s exciting developments and opportunities.



	Research Update		Push Notifications

	We are currently driving tourism and investment insights through research on occupancy trends, target market demographics, and Visitor Satisfaction campaign impact. These data-driven findings uncover development opportunities, optimise marketing strategies, and enhance promotional effectiveness, empowering investors with informed decisions aligned with the region’s growth potential.		Our push notification system has become a critical tool for engaging with investors and stakeholders. These notifications, which include multimedia content, links, and key updates, are designed to keep establishments, stakeholders, and board members informed about the latest investment opportunities and developments in the KZN South Coast.



	Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)		Explore the KZN South Coast App

	Ongoing SEO enhancements and content updates to the investment website have boosted its visibility and engagement. By tailoring articles to investor interests and search algorithms, and integrating advanced backend tools, we ensure the platform remains a dynamic and impactful resource for showcasing investment opportunities on the KZN South Coast.		Our Explore KZN South Coast App is updated daily, making it an invaluable resource for potential investors. It offers insightful information on the region’s dynamic investment opportunities, including key business contacts, developed projects, and investment-ready ventures.

	Database Management

	Following the strong response to our recent push notifications and internal mailers requesting updates from local establishments, we have implemented monthly POPI-compliant communications to ensure our database remains current. This initiative supports accurate and timely updates for potential and existing investors across our investment newsletters, website, and app, providing reliable access to the latest opportunities, business contacts, and project developments.

Keep Updated

Watch why the KZN South Coast is a top investment destination here! If you know of potential investment opportunities along the KZN South Coast that would benefit from SCTIE support, please contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944 or email info@sctie.co.za. A new tab has been added to www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za if you would like SCTIE to contact you for consideration. You can visit the site to find out more about our investment opportunities or visit the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop. We’ve made it easy for people to sign up for our mailers via email communication and the website so everyone is updated with relevant information.

	If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple app stores. We urge you to encourage visitors to also download the app for regular updates on our tourism offerings. Information can also be found by visiting South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn; and www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! And click here to check our previous SCTIE newsletters.

	To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s investment opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.