SCTIE’s Upskilling of Local SMEs Boosts Job Creation and the KZN South Coast’s Tourism Offerings

Small and Medium Enterprises – SMEs – comprise 91% of the country’s formalised businesses, with the National Development Plan outlining this sector as a key driver of job creation. In its ongoing drive to support SMEs, thereby enhancing the KZN South Coast’s tourism and investment potential, the South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) provides dedicated training and support for local businesses.

“The KZN South Coast has a wealth of talent and an immense number of tourism assets with significant potential. Our mandate is to further develop these through training and skills development, while connecting investors with these businesses to grow these offerings,” explained Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of SCTIE.

“The past few years, a number of our tourism operators with businesses in the hinterland have undergone our dedicated training, with notable investment opportunities unearthed. We firmly believe now’s the time to invest in the KZN South Coast’s tourism assets. And, with our Ugu One Stop Shop, we’re making it so much simpler to invest in the region.”

SCTIE’s tourism development, in partnership with government departments, integrates rural communities into the mainstream tourism economy through upskilling programmes. Beneficiaries undergo training and certification, as well as the development of tourism assets, including:

• Tour Guide and Tour Operator qualifications
• Tour package and asset development
• Workshops in customer service and online reservations
• Skills development in bookkeeping and administration
• Health and Safety certifications
• Product development and marketing
• Networking opportunities
• First aid training

KZN South Coast Tourism Assets and Investment Potential

One such example is the KwaNzimakwe Experience which specialises in edutainment and cultural exchange programmes through the Msenti Arts Academy, as well as the 4x4 multi-trail adventure run by Iseluleko Adventure Tours.

Operating since 2007, the organisation has been running exchange programmes with Norway for the past decade, with a variety of tour packages developed through SCTIE. The organisation now has 5 full-time employees, with 35 part-time employees to assist during peak periods.

Victor Jaca, a guide at KwaNzimakwe Experience, says through SCTIE’s development programmes, they’ve established multi-trail adventures, and benefited from marketing exposure, including featuring at Africa's Travel Indaba in 2024.

Similarly, KwaXolo Caves Adventures has grown substantially the past three years, offering visitors mountain hikes to these historic caves and the nearby waterfall – with the introduction of a suspension bridge and group camping experience. Massive investment is set to unlock this asset even further, with potential for accommodation, eateries, and conferences.

“I started doing tours to the beach and gained a love and passion for tourism,” recalls Shaun Makhanya, lead guide at KwaXolo, which now has 3 permanent employees and 4 interns. “I then extended tours to Durban and the Midlands Meander until KwaXolo Caves Adventures was developed, and I was offered the chance to be part of it. SCTIE’s training has been life-changing, making us aware of the industry’s proper procedures. Tourism is instrumental to the economy, so networking and making sure your business offers a unique service make us stand apart.”

Another unique cultural experience, Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, offers cultural and nature-guided tours, indigenous music, dance, festivals, and seminars, as well as workshops and storytelling productions. Operating for 9 years, tour guide Howard Msomi says SCTIE’s assistance had cemented this tourism asset: “We now have solid products and we have a professional website.”

Bongumusa Dladla of NPS Adventures says they started with a love for the untouched landscape and wanted to share it with anyone keen to explore the KwaQabe region: “SCTIE has been instrumental in offering training and support to our staff, placement of additional people during our peak season, and offering marketing support and opportunities.”

Leaning into the adventure tourism trend, they have been offering hiking, quad biking, paintball and overnight stays since 2019, with a strong focus on customer service driving their success.

The KZN South Coast’s fertile agricultural sector has also been transformed into a growing tourism asset through SCTIE’s Agri-Tours package. Joining this was Ubumbano Agri Co-operative, which started as a family-owned co-operative in 2017, growing into a mixed farming venture growing choice-grade produce.

Owner, Nolwazi Nzama, says the inclusion on the Agri-Tours, marketing, and small business development had brought the business to a much wider audience, increasing their investment potential significantly.

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