Programme Director,
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Executive Mayors,
Amakhosi and other traditional leaders,
Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Chairman of Fosun International, Mr Guo Guangchang,
President and CEO of Club Med, Mr Stéphane Maquaire,
Chairman of Tinley Leisure Ltd, Mr Moses Tembe,
Representatives of Collin Residential,
Representatives of the business community and the tourism sector,
Community representatives,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sanibonani. Good morning.
 
I regret that I am unable to join you for the global opening of South Africa’s first Club Med and to welcome our guests from across the world to this beautiful part of our country.
 
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.
 
South Africa is blessed with its natural beauty, so it is no wonder that Club Med has brought its famous brand here.
 
This facility represents more than R2 billion in investment, making it the largest hospitality investment in South Africa and the broader Southern African Development Community since Sun City first opened its doors in the 1970s.
 
This is a proudly South African-funded development, backed by a South African investment consortiumcommitted to advancing broad-based black economic empowerment.
 
The value Club Med recognised here has taken shape inthe provision of employment, skills and opportunities for South Africans, especially the local community.
 
It echoes Premier Ntuli’s call last week at the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council for government, business, organised labour and academia to work together to create jobs.
 
Today, we are witnessing the fruit of what happens when all role-players work together.
 
I am encouraged to hear that during construction more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs were created.
 
In addition, 600 permanent direct jobs have been createdand a further 1,500 indirect jobs are being supported across local suppliers and related industries.
 
We commend the Club Med group and its partners who made it a priority to employ local people.
 
I am told that 84 percent of the employees at the Beach Resort are South Africans.
 
At the same time, all the employees at the Vikela Safari Lodge are from surrounding communities.
 
That speaks to what this investment means for the province, for our economy and, most importantly, for the people whose lives it has changed.
 
This resort brings together two extraordinary experiences: the Indian Ocean coastline and the wildlife of northern KwaZulu-Natal.
 
It gives travellers another compelling reason to choose South Africa, to stay longer and to discover more of what our country offers.
 
For this calendar year until the end of July 2026, South Africa’s tourism sector continued its strong growth trajectory.
 
The growth in international tourist arrivals between January 2026 and July 2026 to 6.5 million is phenomenal.
 
This represents growth of 12.4 percent compared to the same period last year.
 
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.
 
I am confident that the official opening of this jewel will entice more visitors to our shores.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
This resort will need fresh produce, maintenance, transport and a dependable network of suppliers.
 
Each of these connections can create an opening for a small, micro and medium enterprise.
 
I am encouraged by Club Med’s concerted effort to partner with local business.
 
Local procurement, fair access to supplier opportunities and partnerships with smaller tourism operators will help ensure that the success of this resort is shared more widely.
 
That is how tourism investment can contribute to the prosperity of a nation.
 
Tourism begins with something deeply human.
 
People travel because they want to rest.
 
They want time with their children, their partners and their friends.
 
They want to discover something new or simply find the space to enjoy being together.
 
Here in South Africa, that happiness has the potential to travel far beyond the resort’s gates.
 
We wish to recognise the people who have built this beautiful development: the construction workers, artisans, contractors and many others whose effort turned plans into reality. 
 
The experience they have gained on a project of this scale is an asset that they can carry with confidence into theirnext project.
 
To the employees who now welcome guests, prepare meals, care for the grounds and keep this resort running,the experience visitors take home will bear their imprint.
 
Their professionalism and hospitality will help shape how they remember our country.
 
This project also speaks to the power of partnership between the public and private sectors, working alongside communities.
 
We recognise the investors who committed capital, the developers who brought the project to life, and Club Med, which brings its expertise and international reach.
 
We also recognise the training organisations and community partners that help connect investment to local opportunities.
 
Government has a responsibility to create the conditions in which investments like this can succeed: reliable infrastructure, responsive public services, efficient administration and communities in which residents and visitors can feel safe.
 
Business has a responsibility to invest for the long term, develop its workforce and build meaningful relationships with the communities around it.
 
When these responsibilities come together, public and private partnership becomes something people can see in their daily lives.
 
People see new job opportunities, businesses growing, the youth obtaining the necessary qualifications and communities becoming partners.
 
That is the kind of cooperation we must deepen across South Africa.
 
We must also protect the natural heritage on which this opportunity depends.
 
Responsible use of water and energy, less waste and care for the surrounding environment must remain part of the everyday work of tourism.
 
To Club Med and its partners, thank you for your belief in South Africa and for the work that has brought us to this occasion.
 
To our international guests, welcome.
 
Enjoy this resort and take time to discover the people, places and stories beyond it.
 
May this opening mark the beginning of many years of shared opportunity, friendship and discovery.
 
I thank you.