New R80 Billion Developments Coming to South Africa’s Millionaire Coast
EThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele has announced a remarkable transformation slated for the city’s landscape, with four or five new developments valued at approximately R80 billion set to launch in the coming years. Meanwhile, the city itself is poised to contribute over R20 billion to drive investments within the next three years.
Speaking at the inauguration of the North Oceans Tower within the Oceans mixed-use development in uMhlanga, Mbhele underscored the significance of these initiatives as a beacon of luxury in the region. The R1.4 billion tower is the latest edition to the R4.3 billion luxury Oceans development, marking its rise as an iconic luxury venue. This follows the opening of the five-star Radisson Blu Oceans Hotel in June 2022 and the R1.3 billion Oceans Mall in November that year.
Mbhele remarked, “This catalytic project has evolved tremendously, altering the uMhlanga’s landscape profoundly. It has placed eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal as prime investment destinations. Such investments are catalysts for further developments estimated at around R80 billion over the next few years.”
In a bid to unlock further developments and boost investments and job opportunities, the city plans to inject R22 billion over the subsequent three years.
Emerging Affluence in uMhlanga, Ballito, and Durban
The areas of uMhlanga, Ballito, and Durban have been attracting international interest, evolving into some of South Africa’s wealthiest regions. According to the African Wealth Report 2024, over 3,500 high-net-worth individuals, defined as having assets exceeding $1 million, have been drawn to the area.
Among the luxury developments dotting the region is Zimbali, one of South Africa’s premier luxury estates, showcasing an array of new investments and high-end projects. Andreas Wassenaar of Seeff Zimbali highlighted a rising trend of buyers migrating from Gauteng as well as international investors from the UK and Northern Europe, driving demand in the KZN North Coast area.
Real estate transactions in this affluent corridor predominantly range from R13 million to R15 million, with high-end estate homes fetching prices as steep as R40 million.
Economic Growth and Future Prospects
The KZN North Coast has experienced a surge in income levels over the past decade, as evidenced by Rainmaker Marketing’s Property Market Report for 2025. Particularly in Ballito, the average income soared from a range of R12,500 to R25,500 to an impressive R91,500 to R124,000. Half of the households in Ballito are classified within the high-income bracket, with the remainder spread across upper-middle and middle-income categories.
This economic dynamism has caught the eye of international brands, notably the global luxury resort chain Club Med, which plans to open a R2 billion beach and safari resort in Tinley Manor near Ballito in 2026. Set to accommodate up to 1,000 international guests on its opening day in July 2026, with bookings commencing from September 2025, this development signifies the region’s burgeoning appeal.
Despite challenges such as declines in tourism in areas like the southern coast and Durban over the years, the north coast presents a ripe opportunity for growth with shifting demographics. It is anticipated that through these strategic investments and developments, this area will be solidified as one of South Africa’s elite destinations.
As these monumental projects unfold, eThekwini is on a trajectory to redefine its place on the map, aiming to capitalize on the opportunity to establish itself firmly within the pantheon of the country’s most affluent locales.
