New R2 billion luxury resort taking shape in South Africa

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24-07-2025
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The R2 billion Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari resort is rapidly taking shape on South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. 

While it has promised a luxury holiday destination, it has also committed to boost local communities through world-class job opportunities and skills development.

The resort, located in Tinley Manor near Ballito, is set to open its doors in July 2026, with bookings available from September 2025. 

It is also expected to welcome as many as 1,000 international guests on its first day alone. The project has already created significant employment opportunities, with over 1,400 construction workers currently on site—most of them from neighbouring communities. 

Once operational, the resort will provide more than 800 direct jobs and generate around 1,500 indirect jobs.

To ensure the resort is staffed by skilled professionals from the surrounding areas, Club Med has partnered with the NukaKamma Hospitality School to train young South Africans in the hospitality industry. 

The school, based in Addo in the Eastern Cape, has already enrolled 110 trainees who will gradually join the resort team after completing apprenticeships at other Club Med resorts.

Gilles Blanc, head of business development at NukaKamma, said the goal is to provide world-class training, particularly in food and beverage service. 

“There is a lot of hidden talent among young adults from disadvantaged communities. People really want to try their best to get a new life,” he said.

The programme targets only committed and motivated individuals, recruited through partnerships with local NGOs such as Africa Ignite in Durban. 

Applicants pay a R2,000 enrolment fee, which Blanc described as a lot of money for many, but necessary to show commitment. 

“This initial fee does not cover the cost of the training; training is paid for by the companies that are sponsoring us, like Club Med.”

Trainees go through six months of intensive training that combines technical and social skills, followed by an eight-month apprenticeship at a partner hotel or restaurant. 

After completing their training, the graduates will be offered full-time positions at the new resort.

Club Med South Africa’s new phase under construction 

Club Med Southern Africa managing director Olivier Perillat-Piratoine said the programme opens doors to employment in South Africa and international careers. “There’s potential for graduates to work at Club Med resorts worldwide,” he said. 

“Michelin-starred Chef Pascal Favre d’Anne will serve as a mentor, ensuring that the culinary and hospitality standards are held to the highest benchmarks and setting a global standard for talent development.”

Construction of the beach resort began in March 2024 and has picked up pace significantly. By the end of April 2025, much of the bulk infrastructure was already in place, including roads, a dam, water pipelines, and three kilometres of permanent electrical cabling.

Accommodation blocks have reached roof height, paint is being applied, and interior fit-outs are about to begin. 

Key resort features such as the Convention Centre, Kids Club, family pool, Beach Club, sports facilities, and staff accommodation for 200 workers are all on track.

The resort is a joint development between Club Med and the Collins Residential Consortium, which first partnered in 2018 to bring the project to KwaZulu-Natal. 

Collins Residential director Chris du Toit said the goal was to deliver Club Med’s signature all-inclusive experience to both South African and international travellers. 

Guests can expect premium accommodation, gourmet meals, open bars, and a wide range of land and water-based activities—all at one inclusive price.

As part of its “dual-destination” concept, Club Med South Africa is also developing a companion property.

The Mpilo Safari Lodge is now under construction in a pristine 18,000-hectare private game reserve near Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal. 

This Big Five safari lodge, just a 45-minute charter flight from the beach resort, will offer a complementary experience for travellers seeking both luxury beach relaxation and authentic wildlife adventure.

“Mpilo Safari Lodge promises a traditional safari experience with elevated elegance,” said du Toit. 

“The interiors are locally inspired and curated to blend with the surrounding bush, it’s contemporary safari styling with a neutral palette that exudes natural elegance.”

The lodge, overlooking the Mkuze River, will feature 75 luxury tented rooms, including 55 for families and 20 for adults only, some of which are interlinked to accommodate larger groups. 

Guest numbers will be limited to 225 per night to ensure an intimate experience, and environmental preservation is being prioritised throughout construction.