Page 111 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2025 V1-EBOOK

for the benefit of all, in a globally connected, sustain- sector investment, in addition to the
able, and flawless manner. approximately R500 million already invested by
the industrial park developer.
Invest Durban’s efforts to attract investors can be
grouped into three main categories: ƒ The R1.9 billion Giba Business Estate is being
developed by Sultex Holdings, a black-owned
1. Premium Destination: Durban offers a business company with a level one BBBEE score. The
and lifestyle environment conducive to project aims to rejuvenate Giba Business Park,
profitable, sustainable ventures, with ample support the eco-tourism appeal of Giba Gorge,
land available for development. and impact the local informal community,
2. Catalytic Projects: These are large-scale creating jobs and business opportunities in light
projects with the potential to transform the commercial, logistics, and warehousing sectors.
socio-economic landscape, triggering a series of ƒ Dube TradeZone 2 has attracted R1.8 billion
investments across several sectors. in private-sector investment, with expectations
3. Priority Sectors: Key sectors receive strategic of creating 600 jobs within the next five years.
focus, such as the creation of industry clusters Targeting investors in manufacturing, assembly,
and the development of value chains logistics, and the automotive sectors.
to promote new ventures and investment ƒ Westown, led by the Fundamentum Property
opportunities. Group, is one of Durban’s most significant
Renewed Optimism and Future Growth infrastructural investments. With support from
all three spheres of government, Westown is set
The city is on the verge of a new era of growth and
prosperity, driven by a shift in business confidence to generate around R15 billion in investment
and a robust pipeline of private sector investments. over the next 10-15 years. The first phase
This new confidence is fuelled by a substantial opened in 2025 with construction on the
pipeline of flagship investments, estimated at residential component underway.
approximately R250 billion in private sector ƒ On the KZN North coast, Club Med South Africa
commitments. is proudly being developed by KZN company
Collins Residential, with the French
International investors have already established headquartered Club Med taking the helm as
a significant presence in Durban, particularly hotel operators. Club Med South Africa is
in the manufacturing, transport, logistics, and expected to generate over 800 direct jobs and
distribution sectors. Companies like PepsiCo and an additional 1 500 indirect jobs, stimulating
Kerry Foods have expanded into Durban, along the local economy and empowering individuals
with new FDI from top shipping and logistics and families with new opportunities.
groups, such as CMA-CGM. Additionally, South
Africa has been rated as the best place on the Building the Future Together
planet for contact centres for the last five years While Durban has faced challenges, particularly in
with Durban leading in several aspects, including energy, industrial logistics, and water, these issues
opportunities in legal process outsourcing, digital are now receiving the fullest attention they deserve
animation and film processing, digital health at both national and local levels. Initiatives like
diagnostics, and consumer protection technology. the Business for South Africa (B4SA) programme,
led by national business bodies such as Business
Catalytic Projects Driving Regional Impact
Unity South Africa (BUSA) and Business Leader-
Several large-scale projects are underway in Durban, ship South Africa (BLSA), as well as provincial
poised to make a regional impact by stimulating the private-public partnership facilitation through
economy and creating employment opportunities. the KZN Growth Coalition and the Presidential
These developments are strategically positioned eThekwini Working Groups at the Metro level, are
on national trade routes or designed to help showing progress.
break down old apartheid-era living and working
dynamics. By fostering these partnerships and addressing key
challenges, Durban is poised to become a leading
Among these projects are:
destination for investment, offering opportunities
ƒ The Whetstone development in the north for all and serving as a model for sustainable
Aerotropolis has attracted R2.5 billion in private development in Africa.

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