Newsletter | March 2025 - Invest KZN South Coast

SCTIE INVESTMENT NEWSLETTER | March 2025

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


	It has been another productive quarter on the KZN South Coast as we continue to engage with local businesses and further explore the many ways we can collaborate on unlocking the region’s vast investment potential. One area of significant focus has been property development, which is changing the face of the entire KZN South Coast.

	I took the time to meet with the two local developers behind the impressive Renishaw Coastal Precinct and Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate. It was inspiring to hear how they have committed to increasing investment to the region, boosting local job creation, and positioning the KZN South Coast as a key real estate capital.

	The scale of these developments is impressive, and the attention they are garnering – both domestically and from abroad – is indicative of the high demand for affordable coastal properties with high return on investment. Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate in Pennington has completed Phase 1, with Phase 2 currently underway. This will see more than 800 homes built in this estate where 72% has been retained for a conservation area.

	A similar sentiment echoes across the 1,300-hectare Renishaw Coastal Precinct in Scottburgh, where some 80% will be retained for conservation use. Phase 1 of the development consists of Renishaw Hills – the first of five interconnected nodes that will make up this impressive precinct. Deals have already been finalised for the construction of a petrol station and convenience centre, as well as an upmarket shopping centre. Negotiations are also underway to build a church, school, hotel, and recreational facilities that will boost the profile of the region.

	These are just two of the developments currently being constructed in our region, with the likes of Injabulo Lifestyle Estate, Serenity Hills, and Bahari Bay also attracting significant investment. We also welcome the construction of a new Checkers store in Port Shepstone. These developments will undoubtedly be further supported by government’’s ambitious plans to ramp up infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with new legislation supporting such collaborations and breaking red-tape barriers.

	From our side, through our One Stop Shop and Buy Local Membership, we too will continue to reduce barriers to local investment in the region, and showcase exactly why now’s the time to invest in the KZN South Coast!

MARKETING UPDATE


	Our investment marketing campaign consistently emphasizes the region’s opportunities, anchored by the annual theme, ‘Now’s the Time to Invest in KZN South Coast,’ which remains central to our messaging. Investor confidence in the area is bolstered by enhanced infrastructure, the thriving Port Shepstone Business Hub, and dynamic sectors such as agriculture, mining, maritime, logistics, and renewable energy.

	Current investors are enjoying exceptional returns, supported by a skilled, cost-efficient workforce, affordable coastal property, and low living expenses, making the region a prime destination for growth. Investment prospects span from the Eastern Seaboard to inland tourism hubs, unlocking vast potential. Recent commitments from property developers, commended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, further underscore the region’s upward trajectory and appeal.



Investment Awareness Campaign		Fam Trip

Our local businesses and potential investors on the KZN South Coast are encouraged to visit the One Stop Shop (OSS) for business support.		We hosted a Familiarisation (fam) Trip on the KZN South Coast, giving media personalities a first-hand experience of our incredible investment assets.


	Meetings Africa Trade Show & Exhibition

	From 24 to 26 February, we attended Meetings Africa 2025 themed ‘Africa’s Success Built on Quality Connections’ at the Sandton Convention Centre. Meetings Africa is owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating a market access platform for African Business Events Products. The 19th edition was a productive, inspiring and rewarding platform which welcomed 410 exhibitors and over 300 buyers from 27 African countries.


	New Checkers opens in Port Shepstone

	We are incredibly excited about the flagship development in Port Shepstone, which consists of a Checkers Fresh X Store, Checkers Liquor Store, and Checkers Pet Science – with more retailers set to be announced soon.

PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE

	We are further strengthening our media relations by distributing sector-specific press releases aimed at financial and business-focused media outlets. By showcasing the key investment opportunities and the vast potential of the KZN South Coast, we are capturing the attention of a wide range of investors.

ADVERTISING UPDATE

	Digital platforms remain a favoured medium for our investment advertising due to their extensive reach and ability to deliver real-time messaging. We have disseminated our investment awareness campaigns, Buy Local and One Stop Shop updates, and details of catalytic projects across social media channels such as Meta, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

WEBSITE AND DIGITAL UPDATE


	Our updated website and active social media platforms engage existing and new followers daily. Digital marketing provides visitors with real-time information directly to their tablets or smartphones and encourages direct engagement to better inform our communication and marketing efforts.



	Social Media		Website

	The social media platforms continue to be shared between Tourism and Investment. We have intensified our focus on showcasing successful local businesses across various sectors and promoting successful case studies that highlight existing investment opportunities on the KZN South Coast. This refined content strategy has strengthened our brand awareness efforts and enhanced our ability to attract local and, potentially, global investors as part of our digital marketing efforts.		The KZN South Coast Investment website is a key resource for local and international investors, providing insights into established and future opportunities. The quarterly investment newsletter has been essential in communicating these and has the potential to attract global investment by offering valuable updates on emerging sectors, policy changes, and success stories that highlight the region’s economic prospects.



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

	This quarter, we have begun introducing new features and content categories to enhance communication about the efforts of our organisation. These additions highlight our role in investment facilitation, support for existing and potential investors, and the broader impact of our initiatives.		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.



	One Stop Shop Services		Buy Local Campaign

	The Ugu District One Stop Shop – which is based at our offices at 16 Bisset Street in Port Shepstone – coordinates input from various role-players, including investors, developers, industry, civil stakeholders, and provincial and municipal officials.		This quarter, we featured three of our award-winning fashion designers from the brand labels Sistas Felas, S’theh, and Deon Zuider to showcase the investment potential within the KZN South Coast’s fashion industry.

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.