Known for its beautiful coastline and as a tourist destination, the South Coast has myriad possibilities for business investment.
Property practitioner, Lawrence Homan of Just Properties also sees great investment opportunities.
Homan recently revamped a building in Uvongo which has given the town a facelift, as it is situated in Marine Drive.
He said he had a clear vision in terms of changing the Uvongo precinct, making it an attraction to people who come down to the coast.
“It’s affordable to buy property and having been on the South Coast and doing business for 12 years, I feel that it has many opportunities to grow,” said Homan.
He said the area is unique and has individuals and organisations who are willing to work together to bring back the area’s beauty just like Tidy Towns.
“I have spoken to business owners who share the same vision and are excited to work together to keep our town clean so that we attract more investors,” Homan added.
Stephen Herbst of Tidy Towns Shelly Beach to Margate has played a huge role in bringing back the beauty of the South Coast and creating more reasons for investors to come to the area.
“Tidy Towns is a hands-on community-driven project committed to revitalising tourism through its actions, simply by ensuring the cleanliness and tidiness of our public spaces, beautiful beaches and towns. Recognising that tourism is our sole industry, we firmly believe in the worthiness of investing all our combined efforts into factors that will enhance its growth and development. By exposing the appeal of our area and maintaining its pristine condition, not only do we attract visitors, but we also cater to the needs and desires of our local community, “said Herbst
He said the residents who contribute so much to the local economy, deserve an environment that is clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
“The positive impacts of our efforts are not limited to our immediate vicinity. By establishing ourselves as a model for responsible tourism, we become pioneers in our region, setting high standards for others to emulate. This, in turn, benefits the entire region, as tourism is stimulated and offers opportunities for economic growth and prosperity,” Herbst concluded.
Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) said: “The South Coast boasts incredible potential for investment across key sectors, among them tourism, real estate, agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics, the ocean economy, and mining. The reasons for this are multifaceted, including the region’s affordable land, subtropical climate, and quality of life, making the South Coast as one of South Africa’s most attractive investment destinations.”
She said that the potential for tourism investment is already being explored but a wealth of new opportunities are being unearthed, from adventure tourism in the hinterland to seaside opportunities.
“In terms of real estate, the South Coast has several developments which are already gaining international investment. Both the R800m Serenity Hills eco-estate, as well as the 1300-ha Renishaw Coastal Precinct, were honoured at the 5th South African Investment Conference (SAIC) where they pledged towards the president’s R1.2bn investment target for the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan,” Mangcu added.
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