South Africa opens first Club Med resort following R2bn investment

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the opening of South Africa’s first Club Med resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal. The development represents an investment of more than R2 billion, which the President described as a “vote of confidence” in the nation’s tourism industry and people.

According to the President, this is the largest hospitality investment in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since the opening of Sun City in the 1970s. The project was South African-funded and supported by an investment consortium focused on broad-based black economic empowerment.

The development has significantly impacted local employment, creating over 2,300 direct and indirect jobs during construction. It has also established 600 permanent direct jobs and supports an additional 1,500 indirect jobs through local suppliers. At the Beach Resort, 84% of employees are South African, while all staff at the Vikela Safari Lodge are from the surrounding communities.