For generations of South African families, the name Forever Resorts has been synonymous with the December holiday – the warm mineral pools of Warmbaths, the cool waters of Gariep Dam, the mountain splendour of Blyde Canyon.
The announcement this month that the entire Forever Resorts SA group has been sold to a new owner has left many regular holiday goers wondering what the change means for their festive-season plans.
Forever Resorts SA was formally acquired on 15 September by Benus Trade and Invest, a subsidiary of Community Investment Holdings (CIH), a 100% black-owned, women-led investment firm founded in 1995 by Dr Anna Mokgokong and Joe Madungandaba.
The Competition Tribunal approved the merger without conditions on 25 August, clearing the way for the takeover. The deal includes all nine flagship resorts, three lodges, and several other properties across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape, and the Free State.
Who is behind the deal?
Dr Mokgokong is one of South Africa’s most prominent business figures. A medical doctor by training, she co-founded CIH in 1995 and has built it into a diversified group with interests in healthcare, information and communications technology (ICT), power, logistics, mining, and infrastructure, with a consolidated turnover exceeding R20 billion.
She was the first female director of Shoprite Holdings and the first female Chancellor of North-West University. CIH’s portfolio includes Afrocentric Limited (Medscheme), Temo Coal, and Jasco Electronics.
What resorts are included?
The acquisition covers the full Forever Resorts portfolio. The nine flagship resorts are:
- Warmbaths (Bela-Bela, Limpopo) – the iconic hot-springs destination formerly run by the state-owned Aventura group
- Badplaas and Blyde Canyon (both Mpumalanga)
- Gariep (Free State)
- Loskopdam (Mpumalanga)
- Phalaborwa Safari Park (Limpopo)
- Plettenberg (Western Cape)
- Swadini (Limpopo)
- Tshipise (Limpopo)
The group also includes lodges and retreats: Amanzi Mountain Reserve, Isiyala Game Lodge, Lapa Lodge, Leopard’s Trail, Matombu, Ramoswe Lodge, Waterfall Safari Lodge, and White River Lodge.
What does the sale mean for families?
For many families who have booked the same resort for decades, the sale has prompted anxiety. Will the name stay? Will the rates change? Will the warm pools still be warm? The news spread quickly on social media, with some holidaymakers expressing concern about the future of their beloved getaway spots – particularly Warmbaths, which holds a special place in South African holiday memory.
The company has moved to reassure the public. Managing director Eugene van Jaarsveldt, who remains in his position, said it is “business as usual” across all properties. The Forever Resorts brand will continue under its existing name, and all resorts, hotels, and lodges remain a core part of operations. CIH has committed to preserving the destinations and keeping them accessible to South African families.
How to book your December holiday
For those planning a December getaway, the practical message is clear: bookings are open and the process is unchanged. Because December is peak season, many properties require direct contact rather than online booking, and minimum-stay rules may apply. Bookings typically require full payment within 72 hours to confirm. The group’s #PayYourWay option allows guests to spread the cost in monthly instalments by contacting the property directly.
- Website: foreversa.co.za – find contact details for all resorts, lodges, and retreats
- Central reservations: +27 12 423 5600
- Booking tip: For December dates, contact your chosen resort directly — online booking may not be available for peak-season slots
As the first festive season under new ownership approaches, the reassurance from management is that South Africans will find their favourite resorts — and their familiar holiday traditions — waiting for them. The warm baths will still be warm. The name above the gate will still read Forever.
