Most expensive resort ever built in South Africa gets ready to open its doors
The Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari resort has entered its final phase ahead of opening, following the official handover of its occupation certificate.
The resort is being built at Tinley Manor on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. It is considered to be the most expensive resort development ever in South Africa, with a projected cost of just over R2 billion.
A ceremony held on Sunday, 3 May, marked the formal completion of construction on the 54,000 square metre resort.
The development consists of 64 buildings and represents a major investment in the region. The occupation certificate follows a lengthy regulatory and compliance process.
This included the submission and approval of 12 documentation packages, around 2,000 completion certificates, and certificates of compliance, among them 570 electrical certificates.
Significant infrastructure work also formed part of the development, including 3.3 kilometres of bulk water pipeline and 8.4 kilometres of medium-voltage electrical cabling to the site.
Engineering interventions included a nine-metre pipe jack beneath the N2 highway and a 40-metre directional drill under the P467.
Murray Collins of Collins Residential described the milestone as both long-awaited and important for the region.
“It’s a very special day to receive our occupation certificate, and we thank KwaDukuza municipality and all its members for the work they’ve put in to make this project so successful,” he said.
“We’re incredibly excited about what this means not only for KwaZulu-Natal and the North Coast, but for South Africa as a whole.”
Chris du Toit, project lead for Club Med South Africa, added that the development was the result of sustained cooperation between the private sector and local government.
“Right from the early days of design, the municipality consistently dedicated teams to work alongside us, engaging on a weekly and even daily basis to ensure approvals and sign-offs were achieved,” he said.
“Today is not only about completing the resort, but also about recognising the broader impact this development will have through job creation and long-term economic benefit for surrounding communities.”
Major growth point for KwaZulu-Natal
KwaDukuza Municipality mayor Siduduzo Gumede said the project represents a significant investment in the area.
“This is a significant investment for our area, being the first of its kind, and we are grateful to the investors,” he said.
“Through this development, jobs have been created, and we are confident that tourism in this region will grow meaningfully. This is a project of a high international standard, and we believe it will help improve the lives of our people in KwaDukuza.”
With the occupation certificate now issued, operational teams are already on site and have begun preparations for opening, including staff onboarding and training. A phased soft launch is planned ahead of the official opening date on 4 July 2026.
Despite the milestone, the project has not been without controversy. Marine experts have raised concerns about plans to use shark nets near the resort to reduce the risk of attacks.
While such measures, approved by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, are intended to protect swimmers from species such as tiger sharks, bull sharks, and great white sharks, critics warn they could harm marine ecosystems.
Data shows that nets and drum lines killed 416 sharks off the KwaZulu-Natal coast in 2025, along with other marine species, many of them endangered.
The Oceanographic Research Institute has suggested alternative approaches, such as the use of drones by lifeguards to monitor shark activity.
Representatives for the Club Med development said responsibility for beach safety lies with the municipality.
KwaDukuza Municipality, which will ultimately decide whether to install shark nets, said no final decision has been made and that an environmental impact assessment will be conducted before any measures are implemented.
Images of Club Med Tinley
Loading ...