Ramaphosa Welcomes Opening of South Africa’s First Club Med Resort
Cape Town, The Gulf Observer: President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the opening of South Africa’s first Club Med resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, describing the more than R2 billion development as a vote of confidence in the country’s tourism industry, businesses and people.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille delivered the President’s address on his behalf at the resort’s official opening on Thursday.
President Ramaphosa said the development represents the largest hospitality investment in South Africa and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) since the opening of Sun City in the 1970s.
“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.
He noted that the project was funded in South Africa and supported by an investment consortium committed to advancing broad-based Black Economic Empowerment.
The investment has also generated employment and skills-development opportunities, particularly for communities surrounding the resort.
According to the President, more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs were created during construction, while 600 permanent direct jobs have been established and a further 1,500 indirect jobs are being supported through local suppliers and related industries.
He said 84 percent of employees at the Beach Resort are South Africans, while all employees at the Vikela Safari Lodge are drawn from surrounding communities.
Tourism Sector Growth
President Ramaphosa said the resort’s opening comes at a positive time for South Africa’s tourism industry, which has continued to record growth in international arrivals.
He said 6.5 million international tourists visited South Africa between January and July 2026, representing a 12.4 percent increase compared with the corresponding period last year.
He expressed confidence that the new resort on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast would attract additional international visitors, particularly as the tourism industry prepares for the festive season.
Opportunities for Local Businesses
The President said the resort’s operations would create opportunities for small, micro and medium enterprises through demand for fresh produce, maintenance, transportation and other services.
He welcomed Club Med’s efforts to work with local businesses, emphasizing that local procurement, equitable access to supplier opportunities and partnerships with smaller tourism operators could help distribute the benefits of the investment more broadly.
“That is how tourism investment can contribute to the prosperity of a nation,” he said.
Ramaphosa also commended the construction workers, artisans and contractors involved in the project, saying the experience gained from working on a development of such scale would strengthen their prospects for future projects.
He added that resort employees would play an important role in shaping international visitors’ perceptions and experiences of South Africa through their professionalism and hospitality.
Government-Business Partnership
President Ramaphosa said the project demonstrated the importance of cooperation among government, business and local communities.
He said government must create an enabling environment for investment through reliable infrastructure, responsive public services, efficient administration and safe communities.
At the same time, he said businesses have a responsibility to invest for the long term, develop their workforce and establish meaningful relationships with surrounding communities.
“When these responsibilities come together, public and private partnership becomes something people can see in their daily lives,” he said, adding that such cooperation could lead to new employment opportunities, business growth, skills development and stronger community participation.
The President also stressed the need to protect the natural heritage on which South Africa’s tourism industry depends, including through responsible use of water and energy, waste reduction and environmental conservation.
He thanked Club Med and its partners for investing in South Africa and welcomed international visitors to the new resort.
“To our international guests, welcome. Enjoy this resort and take time to discover the people, places and stories beyond it,” President Ramaphosa said.
