National Government Backs Investment Resolutions Made to Boost Umdoni’s Economic Potential

The Umdoni Investment Seminar, hosted at The Cutty Sark Premier Hotel in Scottburgh from 4 to 5 June 2025, was a multi-stakeholder gathering that sought collaborative ways to unlock Umdoni’s economic potential. Among the delegates were representatives from South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) who connected with public and private institutions to further attract investment to the KZN South Coast.

“This was a highly informative and engaging seminar that addressed, head-on, the challenges that are detracting from investor confidence in the region,” commented Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “It’s clear that nothing can be achieved in isolation, and emerging from this seminar, we are strengthened in our unified approach to attracting investors, with a clear framework about how this can be achieved.”

Also in attendance were representatives from Umdoni Municipality, Ugu District Municipality, Eskom, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, financial institutions, and several private organisations.

The seminar forms part of Umdoni Municipality’s strategic push to implement its development plans aligned with the District Development Model (DDM), the National Development Plan (NDP), and KwaZulu-Natal’s Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). Key focus areas include tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, small business development, and catalytic infrastructure projects such as road maintenance, sustainable human settlements, and harbour development.

Establishing the Jewel of the KZN South Coast

Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala, in his keynote address, stated: “The Department is ready to partner with municipalities like Umdoni that are clear in their vision and aligned with national priorities. Infrastructure is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about jobs, inclusion, and dignity.”

In her welcome, Mayor Cllr MJ Cele-Luthuli outlined a bold vision to transform Umdoni into the ‘Jewel of the KZN South Coast’ by 2030, calling on both domestic and international investors to partner in driving sustainable economic growth.

“We aspire for this conference to be unparalleled, driving impactful investments that will foster sustainable job creation, stimulate local economic growth, and significantly address the persistent challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” she said, highlighting Umdoni’s strategic location - just 50km from Durban and boasting 40km of coastline - and its diverse mix of urban and rural areas poised for development.

“Umdoni has 12 beaches, with Pennington Beach recently attaining Blue Flag status,” she noted, adding that coastal towns like Scottburgh and rural areas such as Amandawe and Dududu offer prime opportunities for tourism, housing, and development, while stressing the need for infrastructure investment to support growth.

Facilitating Investment in Umdoni

All parties concluded the event with clear-cut resolutions on how to create an investor-friendly environment, SCTIE among them. These include:

•  The official re-launch of the Ugu District One Stop Shop (OSS) as a Special Purpose                    Vehicle (SPV) to drive investment promotion, facilitation, and aftercare services.

•   Assistance in packaging bankable projects attractive to investors.

•   Prioritising high-impact sectors to address socio-economic challenges.

•   Incorporation of strategic plans by private developers in Ugu District, the Department of                Transport, and Eskom.

•   Cascade the initiated transformative investment framework to streamline processes                      and reduce bureaucratic barriers across all municipalities.

In conclusion, Mayor Cllr MJ Cele-Luthuli thanked all stakeholders for their attendance and input, noting: “The investment opportunities outlined in this seminar will not remain a dream – we will ensure they are implemented, and commit to providing all the resources to ensure Umdoni is transformed.”

Now’s the Time: Visit, Invest, Thrive in KZN South Coast!

Find out more about these and other investment opportunities by visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.

To find out more about these and more investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.

To purchase goods sold or secure services from these and other Buy Local businesses visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To make orders from Buy Local members or to join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.

Follow the hashtags #nowisthetime #nowisthetimetoinvest