Huge Kwazulu Natal property unveiled

Dubai: Property group Ruwaad Holding on Tuesday launched at Cityscape a sprawling, mixed-use development in Durban, KwaZulu Natal of South Africa.

Ruwaad group chief executive Hayen Merchant said Amazulu World, a multi-billion-dollar, 16,557-hectare development would be the single largest development in African history.

"It will become the destination choice of Africa," he said.

The development would house the largest sports village, retirement village and Africa's first education and health village and would include a theme park, nature reserves, hotels, resorts and spas.

"Amazulu World will have a perfect blend of development zones. Among the key elements are Africa's first world-class internationally branded entertainment theme park, as well as Africa's largest shopping destination, Africa's most comprehensive and advanced sports village development, Africa's largest lifestyle community and first dedicated education and health villages; alongside hotels, resorts and spas, a marina, a variety of residential offerings... and nature reserves," Merchant said.

Amazulu World will be located midway between Durban, the largest city in the KwaZulu Natal pro-vince, and Richards Bay, the country's main port. It enjoys the support of the local government and would embrace the area's rich cultural and historical heritage. Ruwaad was targeting the local South African market as well as investors from the rest of the world.

King's statue

"It would have a local feel, there will be a monument to King Shaka [a great Zulu warrior king]," he said. Earlier this year, the KwaZulu Natal provincial government announced the creation of a 106 metre-tall statue with a price tag of 200 million rand (Dh8.38 million).

The project construction would begin as soon as the local legal processes are finalised, he said. The five-phase project is scheduled for completion in 25 years.

Merchant said South Africa was seen as the "gateway to Africa" and was therefore ideal for a project of this magnitude.

The 2010 Fifa World Cup that the country would host would provide an opportunity to showcase the project. The climate with 365 days of sunshine as well as the beautiful KwaZulu Natal coastline was another key attraction.

Merchant did not reveal the development's price tag but said it would add to South Africa's tourism GDP. "We are very proud to be leading this hugely exciting development and to be bringing to investors, residents and tourists in Africa a world-class destination experience, in collaboration with our international partners," he said.