President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the opening of South Africa’s first Club Med resort as the biggest hospitality investment in the country and broader Southern African region since Sun City opened in the 1970s.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille delivered the president’s address at the official opening of the R2 billion resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday.
Ramaphosa described the development as a vote of confidence in South African businesses, workers and the country’s tourism future.
“This mega-development is a vote of confidence in South African enterprise, in the capabilities of our people and in the future of our tourism industry,” he said.
South African funding drives project
The development received backing from a South African-funded investment group committed to broad-based black economic empowerment.
The project created more than 2 300 direct and indirect jobs during construction. It now supports 600 permanent direct positions and a further 1 500 indirect jobs across local suppliers and related industries.
South Africans make up 84% of employees at the Beach Resort, while all workers at the Vikela Safari Lodge come from surrounding communities.
Tourism sector continues growth
The opening comes as South Africa’s tourism sector records strong growth in international arrivals.
Between January and July the country welcomed 6.5 million international tourists, an increase of 12.4% compared to the same period in 2025.
“The opening of this new jewel in the North Coast comes at the right time as the tourist industry is getting ready to welcome guests for the festive season,” Ramaphosa said.
Opportunities for small businesses
The president said the resort would create opportunities for small, micro and medium enterprises through demand for fresh produce, maintenance, transport and other services.
He welcomed Club Med’s commitment to partner with local businesses, saying local procurement and fair supplier access would help spread the investment’s benefits more widely.
“That is how tourism investment can contribute to the prosperity of a nation,” he said.
Public-private partnership model
Ramaphosa said the project demonstrates what collaboration between government, business and communities can achieve.
He said government must create conditions for investments to succeed through reliable infrastructure, responsive public services and efficient administration, while business must invest for the long term and develop its workforce.
“When these responsibilities come together, public and private partnership becomes something people can see in their daily lives,” he said.
The president emphasised the importance of protecting the natural heritage that underpins tourism through responsible water and energy use, waste reduction and environmental care.
He thanked Club Med and its partners for investing in South Africa and welcomed international guests to explore beyond the resort.
