Joint media statement: KwaDukuza Municipality Hands Over Occupation Certificate for Club Med South Africa Resort

Today marked a significant milestone in the delivery of one of South Africa’s most anticipated tourism developments, with the ceremonial handover of the occupation certificate for the Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari resort in Tinley Manor.

Hosted on site and attended by municipal leadership, officials and project stakeholders, the event signals the formal completion of the development phase of the 54,000 square metre resort, which comprises of 64 buildings and represents a landmark investment on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast.

The occupation certificate follows an extensive regulatory and compliance process involving the submission, review and approval of a substantial volume of documentation over time. In total, 12 submission packages were processed, alongside approximately 2,000 completion certificates and certificates of compliance, including 570 electrical COCs. This was supported by major bulk infrastructure works, including 3.3 kilometres of bulk water pipeline, 8.4 kilometres of medium-voltage electrical cabling to the site, as well as complex engineering interventions such as a 9-metre pipe jack beneath the N2 and a 40-metre directional drill under the P467.

Murray Collins, representing Collins Residential, described the milestone as both long-awaited and deeply significant for the region. “It’s a very special day to receive our occupation certificate, and we thank KwaDukuza municipality and all its members for the work they’ve put in to make this project so successful. We’re incredibly excited about what this means not only for KwaZulu-Natal and the North Coast, but for South Africa as a whole; from tourism growth and job creation to truly putting this destination on the global map. It’s been a long time coming, and we’re proud to see the world represented here on the North Coast,” Collins said.

Chris du Toit, Project Lead for Club Med South Africa, emphasised the strength of the partnership that enabled the project’s delivery. “It’s a fantastic day for us to welcome KwaDukuza Municipality to site for the official handover of the occupation certificate. This has been a truly collaborative journey. Right from the early days of design, the municipality consistently dedicated teams to work alongside us, engaging on a weekly and even daily basis to ensure approvals and sign-offs were achieved. Today is not only about completing the resort, but also about recognising the broader impact this development will have through job creation and long-term economic benefit for surrounding communities,” du Toit explained.

To close off the official proceedings, KwaDukuza Municipality Mayor, Councillor Siduduzo Gumede, highlighted the broader significance of the development for the region saying, “We are here today at the Club Med Resort to hand over the occupation certificate as we prepare to declare this a fully developed resort. This is a significant investment for our area, being the first of its kind, and we are grateful to the investors. Through this development, jobs have been created and we are confident that tourism in this region will grow meaningfully. This is a project of a high, international standard, and we believe it will help improve the lives of our people in KwaDukuza,” Gumede added.

With the occupation certificate now issued, Club Med’s operational teams are already established on site and have commenced preparations, including staff onboarding and training, ahead of a phased soft launch. The resort is scheduled to officially open on 4 July 2026.

The handover marks a pivotal moment for this Club Med development, reinforcing the North Coast’s emergence as a hub for international-standard tourism investment and demonstrating the impact of effective public-private collaboration in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.

Ends

Words: 578

Images: KwaDukuza Municipality

Soundbites: To be issued on request

Distributed on behalf of: Collins Residential

Date: 28 April 2026

Notes to the editor:

About Club Med:

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gerard Blitz & Gilbert Trigano, invented the all-inclusive holiday club concept, adding activities especially for children with the creation of the Mini Club in 1967. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med seeks out exceptional destinations and sites. Thanks to the support of its shareholder Fosun Tourism Group and the implementation of the « upscale, global and Happy Digital » strategy, Club Med is now the worldwide leader of premium resort all-inclusive holidays with a French touch for families and active couples. Club Med operates nearly 70 resorts, of which 80% of the capacity is classified Premium and Club Med Exclusive Collection. Present in 32 countries around the world, Club Med employs nearly 25,000 Gentils Organisateurs (G.Os) and Gentils Employés (G.Es)

About Club Med development team:

At an estimated cost of over R2 billion (roughly €100 million), this catalytic Resort project will be funded by a South African Investment Consortium and developed by Collins Residential. Hewing to a sustainable and socially inclusive development model, it will create more than 800 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs - already employing 1,500 construction workers, most of whom are from the neighbouring community. The consortium consists of funding and equity partners from African Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Tinley Leisure Women’s Investment Group and Collins Residential, as well as ABSA in its capacity as a debt partner.

For more information or visuals, please contact Janna Strang on janna@rainmakermarketing.co.za / 082 551 3865 or email Mbali Mpofu on Mbali@rainmakermarketing.co.za