KZN Business Sense News

Catalytic projects offer much opportunity to local businesses

In a recent interview, Russell Curtis, Head of Invest Durban, said that a growing and powerful dynamic is that the business sector leadership are forming much more local and international partnerships.

Consequently, a number of largescale projects are underway in the greater eThekwini region and the impact of the partnerships that have been formed to spearhead these developments is tangible.
These catalytic projects are making a regional impact, providing much stimulus to the economy as well as providing employment, opportunities and potential revenue creation.

Current catalytic projects underway include Westown, Dube TradeZone 2, Giba Business Estate, Club Med Tinley, Sibaya Coastal Precinct, the Avoca Node Development and Durban Film Studio, amongst others.

Giba Business Estate
The R1.9 billion Giba Business Estate developer, Sultex Holdings is a group of local Durban businesspersons who are collectively undertaking this prestigious project. Sultex Holdings is a black-owned company with a level one BBBEE score.

The company has employed a professional team, led by Nathoo Mbeyane Engineers and Re-Invent
Property Development Managers, which led to the successful commencement of this project.

The project seeks to rejuvenate and further develop Giba Business Park, supporting the eco-tourism
aspect of Giba Gorge, whilst having a massive social impact on the local informal community. These impacts support both the job market, whilst increasing business opportunities for light commercial, logistics, and warehousing in Durban.

This estate provides a safe and secure environment, complete with modern infrastructure, to elevate your business to the next level of success.

Dube TradeZone 2
Dube TradeZone 2 has, to date, attracted R1.8-billion in privatesector investment and this phase is
expected to create 600 jobs within the next five years. Four of these investors have begun constructing their facilities.

Dube TradeZone 2 will target investors in the manufacturing and assembly, logistics and automotive
sectors while facilitating the planned expansion of a number of phase one-based enterprises.

The launch of the second phase of the TradeZone follows the successful implementation of Dube TradeZone 1, which is fully tenanted by 50 investors, including international companies such as
Samsung, Mahindra, DHL, Chem Energy and PepsiCo-Futurelife.

Dube TradeZone 2, opens an additional 45 hectares of industrial land for development and brings to market another 23 fully serviced sites which range in size. Dube TradeZone 2 will include three Dube TradePort owned warehouses, one of which will accommodate medium-sized businesses enabling the expansion of small businesses located in the mini-factories.

Westown
Led by the Fundamentum Property Group, which acquired the development rights from Tongaat Hulett Property, Westown is one of the biggest infrastructural investments in Durban since the Soccer World Cup in 2010.

Westown has the support of all three spheres of government, and all departments within the eThekwini Municipality, as well as the local Chief, Indunas and councillors. It is working with local
businesses and stakeholders such as the Durban Shongweni Club and Polo Club, The Mushroom Farm, and Shongweni Farmer’s Market to ensure these critical assets continue to thrive.

Westown is set to generate some R15 billion in investment over the next 10 -15 years, both in infrastructure and top structures,The opening of Westown Square and The Barn In March 2025, will
bring to the region high-street shopping with dining, leisure and recreation experiences which also
offer much opportunity to the business sector.

Avoca Node Development
The Avoca Nodal Development consists of three precincts ideally located along the N2 Corridor.
These precincts are the Brickworks and Northfields industrial developments and the Caneridge
residential development.

The launch of the new state-ofthe-art distribution centre for Takealot in Avoca will impact the province in a positive way and create thousands of jobs. The centre, which is located within The Brickworks, a 157-hectare business and logistics park, is being developed by Investec Property at the region’s old Corobrik factory site.

The construction of the Takealot Distribution Centre is planned for completion in July, with perations
commencing by October this year.

Durban Film Studio
Construction has finally commenced on the Durban Film Studio, which is a private sector led project with an estimated investment value of over R7.5 billion. The Natal Command site, which is set to transform the face of the Durban beachfront promenade, will boast high-end venues including hotels, flats, restaurants and a shopping centre. The development of the site is expected to create thousands of jobs during the construction phase, with a few thousand remaining once the businesses become operational.

With these ongoing developments, Durban and by extension KwaZulu-Natal are solidifying their status as Africa’s investment destination, poised for sustained growth and providing much opportunity.

Club Med Tinley
Club Med Tinley is proudly being developed by KZN company Collins Residential, with the French headquartered Club Med taking the helm as hotel operators.

Olivier Perillat, general manager of Club Med SA, said the R2bn resort project, which is due to open in July 2026, would be a force for regional growth.

Club Med Tinley is expected to generate over 800 direct jobs and an additional 1 500 indirect jobs,
stimulating the local economy and empowering individuals and families with new opportunities.
During its construction phase, the project will also employ 1 200 construction workers, providing a
significant boost to the job market.

In addition, the resort will further promote tourism on the KZN north coast potentially prompting more international investment to the province.

For more information on these projects and the potential opportunities available for retailers and other business operators in some of the projects, please contact Invest Durban.

Invest Durban was recommended by the Durban City Council and organised private business as the First Stop Shop to stimulate new investment in the Durban metropolis. They act as a partnership between the Metro City Council and the private business sector, offering a free investor advisory service, plus key promotion, facilitation, and aftercare services between all investment stakeholders.

www.invest.durban