Newsletter | June 2025 - Invest KZN South Coast

SCTIE INVESTMENT NEWSLETTER | June 2025

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE ON THE
SOUTH COAST – #nowisthetimetoinvest


	It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of our investment newsletter, where we reflect on recent milestones and look ahead at the growing momentum for development along the KZN South Coast.

	A major milestone was receiving the prestigious Best Functional District Development Agency in KZN award at the recent KZN COGTA Municipal Excellence Awards in Durban – a testament to our dedication to driving investment and promoting tourism across the district.

	This past quarter, we have actively participated in high-impact platforms designed to promote investment, showcase our region’s potential, and build meaningful partnerships across sectors. These provide us with a platform to position the KZN South Coast as a competitive, ready-for-investment region.

	We hosted a productive strategic planning session with key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The session provided a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and gathering feedback, helping us align our efforts to effectively fulfil our mandate of advancing Ugu District’s economy by promoting it as a prime destination for tourism and investment.

	In March, we attended the SALGA Municipal Investment & Development Trade Show, a two-day event that underscored the role of local government in driving economic development. Discussions included the growing need for more streamlined investor support and the evolving role of municipalities as economic catalysts.

	In April, we joined the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa Trade Show & Exhibition in the Western Cape, a global platform that opened doors for both tourism and investment conversations, attracting attention from international buyers and media.

	More recently, we partnered with Umdoni Municipality to host the Umdoni Investment Seminar. This initiative reinforced our collaborative approach to unlocking local economic potential and ensuring the district is well-prepared to attract, facilitate, and sustain meaningful investment.

	These engagements reflect our unwavering commitment to driving inclusive economic growth and establishing the KZN South Coast as a thriving destination for both investors and visitors. We look forward to building on this momentum and invite you to join us in shaping a prosperous future for our region.


	SCTIE Takes Top Award

	We attended the KZN Cogta Municipal Excellence Awards on 25 March 2025 at the Greyville Convention Centre, where we were recognised as the Best Functional District Development Agency in KZN. This achievement follows our December presentation, highlighting our progress in the 2024/2025 financial year.


	SCTIE’s 2025/2026 Strategic Planning

	We hosted an incredibly powerful Strategy Review Session from 9 to 10 April at Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge. The session involved key internal and external stakeholders, including representatives from provincial departments, public entities, and municipalities.


	Official Opening of Checkers

	We welcomed the new opening of the highly anticipated Checkers in Port Shepstone on 29 May 2025. Checkers has become one of South Africa’s most dominant grocery retailers by innovating with on-demand delivery, premium store experiences, and discount offerings.


	KwaXolo Caves Development (Phase 2)

	The popular tourism site at KwaXolo Caves is being developed to include a new restaurant, coffee shop, and ablutions. Massive investment is set to unlock this asset even further, with potential for accommodation, eateries, and conferences.

MARKETING UPDATE


	This quarter we’re sharing the message that ‘Now’s the Time to Invest’ in the KZN South Coast by highlighting investment opportunities that extend from the Eastern Seaboard to the hinterland tourism sites, with a focus on the Port Shepstone Business Hub and our Ugu District One Stop Shop.



Digital KZN South Coast Investment Directory		KZN South Coast Promotional Video

We have compiled a comprehensive directory to showcase our investment opportunities to potential investors.		The investment potential of the KZN South Coast is being further exposed through our recently launched Investment Destination promotional video.



Investment Awareness Campaign		Buy Local Campaign

We encourage local businesses and potential investors on the KZN South Coast to visit the One Stop Shop (OSS) for business support.		We encourage businesses to consider sourcing services and goods from Buy Local businesses wherever possible.


	Trade Show Update

	We were proud to participate in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, themed Unlimited Africa, with a focus on strengthening connections across the continent. As one of Africa’s premier tourism trade events – and a global top-three must-visit showcase – ATI 2025 featured 1,000 hosted buyers, 1,300+ exhibitors, 400+ SMMEs, and representation from 27 African countries.

PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE

	We continue to engage with domestic and national media, responding to urgent queries and disseminating press releases that showcase the region’s key investment sectors. The services of the Ugu District One Stop Shop and benefits of the Buy Local campaign remain central to our messaging.

ADVERTISING UPDATE

	This quarter, we have focused on digital advertising platforms to maximise our exposure to domestic and international audiences. This targeted exposure ensures our messaging reaches audiences who are actively searching for key investment destinations.

WEBSITE AND DIGITAL UPDATE


	Social media

	Over the past three months, we have intensified our digital communication strategy to promote investment opportunities across the KZN South Coast using social media as a dynamic tool to reach local and international audiences.



	Invest KZN South Coast Website		Explore the KZN South Coast App

	Our investment website has been refreshed with updated promotional content, offering a comprehensive overview of the region’s value proposition for investors. The fully revised investment directory is now available on the site, providing detailed information on key sectors, available opportunities, and support structures for business development.		The KZN South Coast App is a key resource for investors exploring opportunities in the region. Originally a tourism platform, it now provides essential business insights, infrastructure developments, and investment prospects, making it a valuable tool for economic engagement.

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.