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| KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE ON THE SOUTH COAST |
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| Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya |
CEO of South Coast
Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) |
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| It has been another exciting quarter for the KZN South Coast, as we continue to expand our tourism offerings while celebrating the many natural assets of the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom. |
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| A key highlight was earning the Best Functional District Development Agency in KZN award at the recent KZN Cogta Municipal Excellence Awards in Durban. This prestigious award highlights our commitment to driving investment and promoting tourism throughout the district. |
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| We also participated in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 in Durban – the continents premier tourism trade show. It was an honour to represent the KZN South Coast on this global stage, where we engaged with investors, travel professionals, and media, all eager to discover our coastline’s unique experiences. Thanks to our dedicated team and partners, our stand stood out and left a lasting impression. |
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| We also hosted an impactful strategic planning session, attended by relevant private and public stakeholders. Drawing on feedback and sharing ideas, this was an opportunity to ensure we’re effectively meeting our mandate of driving the economy of the Ugu District by positioning it as a tourism and investment destination. |
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| Looking ahead, all eyes are on the Sardine Run, the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’. This spectacular natural event draws global attention while delivering a major boost to our local tourism economy. We’re collaborating with tour operators, hospitality partners, and communities to create unforgettable visitor experiences. |
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| Exciting activations include the Coastal Seafood Flavours Festival, part of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environments Fishing for Freedom campaign, our daily beachside Sardine Festival, and the Ocean Festival in Scottburgh – all helping attract visitors and showcase local talent. |
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| At South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise, we remain committed to strategic marketing, strong partnerships, and unlocking the region’s full tourism and investment potential. Together, we’re ensuring the KZN South Coast remains a must-visit destination for travellers worldwide. |
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SCTIE Takes Top Award |
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We attended the KZN Cogta Municipal Excellence Awards on 25 March 2025 at the Greyville Convention Centre, where we were recognised as the Best Functional District Development Agency in KZN. This achievement follows our December presentation, highlighting our progress in the 2024/2025 financial year. |
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SCTIE’s 2025/2026 Strategic Planning |
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We hosted an incredibly powerful Strategy Review Session from 9 to 10 April at Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge. The session involved key internal and external stakeholders, including representatives from provincial departments, public entities, and municipalities. |
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| MARKETING UPDATE |
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Our overarching ‘Now’s the Time to Visit the KZN South Coast’ messaging continues to filter through all marketing material, with this quarter focusing on ‘Sardine Fever is Here!’ to attract visitors to the annual spectacle, associated Sardine Run events, ocean-based activities, and great local venues. |
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| Buy Local Campaign |
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Tourism Awareness Campaign |
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| Our Buy Local campaign continues to support local SMEs by encouraging support for homegrown enterprises and marketing their products and services across key platforms. |
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We encourage our local businesses to promote the Sardine Run as a must-experience phenomenon to guests and visitors and build hype around the phenomenon. |
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| Trade Shows |
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Fam Trips |
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| We made a strong showing at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 with our engaging stand, piloting a successful partnership with San Lameer, Lake Eland, and Beaver Creek Coffee. |
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South African Tourism’s Sho’t Left Easter campaign hosted the vibrant Seat at The Table 2025 event at Premier Resort Cutty Sark in Scottburgh. |
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| PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE |
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Our key marketing messages have been distributed through the press releases issued to local and national media. These are positioning the KZN South Coast as an in-demand winter tourism destination, with the Sardine Run and great outdoor excursions major drawcards. |
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| ADVERTISING UPDATE |
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This quarter, our advertising strategy centred on digital platforms to maximise reach among domestic and international audiences. By targeting users actively searching for tourism destinations, we ensured that our messaging was relevant, timely, and impactful – firmly positioning the KZN South Coast as a must-visit location. |
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| DIGITAL MEDIA UPDATE |
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This quarter, we have ramped up our social media strategy to elevate the KZN South Coasts tourism profile. Through a steady stream of curated content on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we’ve showcased scenic attractions, promoted events, and spotlighted investment opportunities. Engaging reels, short-form videos, and vibrant posts have driven user interaction and community pride. |
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Visit KZN South Coast Website |
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Explore KZN South Coast App |
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Our tourism website has undergone significant updates over the past three months to ensure seamless integration with the Explore KZN South Coast app. |
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Fully synced with the regional tourism website, our Explore KZN South Coast app offers real-time, user-friendly access to essential travel information. |
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Events Guide |
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We remain committed to welcoming families and friends to experience the vibrant events taking place across the KZN South Coast. Our regularly updated digital Events Guide calendar features all local happenings, offering a central platform for visitors to discover what’s on in the region. |
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| DEVELOPMENT UPDATE |
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SMME Development and Support |
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Youth Support |
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On 13 March 2025, SCTIE and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) hosted a financial management and compliance workshop for 20 SMEs in Port Shepstone and online. The session focused on improving financial literacy and business administration. |
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From March 2024 to 17 March 2025, 25 youth participated in the Ugu District Tourism Monitors Programme, which was funded by NDT and implemented by ourselves and Tourism World Academy. The programme enhanced tourism safety through deployment and mentorship. |
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Tourism Product Support |
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Stakeholder Engagement |
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KwaXolo Caves Adventures (Phase 2) – Construction is underway on a multipurpose visitor facility (restaurant, ablutions, etc.). Despite weather delays, the site remains open. As of 14 March 2025, 40% of work was complete. Seven approved tourism signs will be installed on roads P284, P732, and D1095 by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year. |
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We are conducting AGMs across the KZN South Coast to renew committees and report back to stakeholders. The first was held on 20 March in Umdoni, attended by 20 local tourism businesses. These meetings lay the groundwork for a District Tourism Forum. |
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| Keep Updated |
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| There is always so much happening on the KZN South Coast! Please feel free to share our newsletter with other interested parties and encourage them to sign up for updates. Please also submit any specials, events, images and blog content for digital marketing to info@sctie.co.za. |
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| We’ve made it easy for people to sign up for our mailers via email communication and the website so everyone is updated with relevant information. |
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If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple app stores. We urge you to encourage visitors to also download the app for regular updates on our tourism offerings. Information can also be found by visiting South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; sctiekznsouthcoast on TikTok; Info Ugu South Coast Tourism on LinkedIn; the SCTIE website to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. |
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To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s tourism
opportunities, contact 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za. |
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