The impressive KZN South Coast development assets, Renishaw Hills – part of the larger Renishaw Coastal Precinct in Scottburgh – and Serenity Hills eco-estate in Margate, were recognised by President Cyril Ramaphosa for their significant investment contribution to growing the country’s economy. Both forward-focused developments were acknowledged for their investment pledges by the President at the 5th SA Investment Conference (SAIC) held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday, 13 April.

Sam Wenger, Serenity Hills Development Director, was congratulated on stage by the President for their investment contribution to the KZN South Coast and the country. Serenity Hills is a 120-hectare eco-estate offering residents secure living within the exquisite coastal forest. The focus is on sustainability alongside modern amenities with community inclusivity at its heart. Speaking at the event, Wenger said:

“We at Serenity Hills are extremely proud of our achievement and the chance to meet the honourable President Ramaphosa at his 5th SA investment conference. We are still overwhelmed and thankful that our hard work is recognised nationally and internationally. I had a chance for a quick chat with him on the stage and feel honoured for his support. After some negative news for KZN in the past years, we are thrilled to bring growth and positive change, as we believe in KZN and South Africa. Serenity Hills has already sold 50% of the available units, having only launched last year, which shows the massive demand for such a development and the region’s investment potential.”

Barto van der Merwe, MD of Renishaw Coastal Precinct, was also congratulated on stage by the President at the event where Renishaw Hills was acknowledged. This 25-hectare mature lifestyle village forms the first development within 1 300-ha Renishaw Coastal Precinct, with R500m spent to date, and an estimated R15 billion upon completion. This is the first of five interconnected nodes of this mixed-use, self-sustaining precinct boasting far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the local communities. The entire precinct is anticipated to bring 2 500 residential opportunities accommodating roughly 7 500 people and bringing thousands of job opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Van Der Merwe said: “It is an absolute honour to be recognised by the President for our ground-breaking Renishaw Coastal Precinct that seeks to ignite the region’s economic potential. We have already witnessed the incredible potential of this precinct through the success of Renishaw Hills, with house prices escalating by 50% in just five years. This aims to be a self-sustaining precinct in terms of facilities and utilities, with economic stimulus for surrounding communities as the development unfolds.”

South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) was established as the official economic development arm of the KZN South Coast. The entity promotes investment in the region through marketing initiatives, product development, business support and training, dedicated networking events, and breaking down barriers to local investment.

Commenting on the recognition of local developments at SAIC, Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE, said: “We’d like to congratulate Serenity Hills and Renishaw Coastal Precinct on this well-deserved acknowledgement for growing our local economy and supporting surrounding communities. We’d also like to thank TIKZN for its support, as nothing can be achieved without these positive collaborations. The KZN South Coast has so much to offer, and it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to showcase these assets to the nation, and to the world.”

President Ramaphosa initiated the SAIC in 2018 as a way to secure domestic and inbound investment of R1.2 trillion over five years, with the 2023 event making the final leg of this investment drive. The annual SAIC attracts delegates from around South Africa and across the globe. Speaking at the event, the President said:

“With the achievement of our R1.2 trillion target today, we now cast our collective eyes to the horizon. With your support, with your investment, we can realise more growth, offer more opportunities and create even more jobs. As we work with dedication and focus to overcome our immediate challenges, let us not lose sight of the incredible promise of our country, South Africa.”

He welcomed a number of investment pledges across various sectors that are making an enormous contribution to the country’s investment. These new investments significantly contribute to government’s national goals of socio-economic development to create sustainable jobs, reduce poverty, and drive back inequality. These investments have also contributed to a substantial increase in local production and encouraged efforts to buy local.

Serenity Hills and Renishaw Hills were announced as pledges towards the ‘Infrastructure, property development and logistics’ sector. Serenity Hills as the: ‘R800 million in KwaZulu-Natal in the development of an eco-estate with over 600 units and a range of amenities including a driving range, clubhouse, frail care centre, wedding venue, conference centre and restaurants’; while Renishaw Hills has so far seen an investment of ‘R500 million in a mixed-use coastal precinct in KwaZulu-Natal’, it forms part of the much bigger, multi-billion-rand Renishaw Coastal Precinct.

To find out more about Renishaw Coastal Precinct, visit www.renishaw.co.za or call Barto van der Merwe on 087 135 5555.

Extending from Port Shepstone, the area’s economic hub, throughout the KZN South Coast, there are so many investment opportunities.