The just announced rival north coast development to Amazulu world...seems a war is brewing...

Originally posted by p2bsa...

Rival billion-rand project for N Coast
October 23 2008 at 08:33AM

Related Articles
Dubai firm plans Amazulu World in SA

By Nathi Olifant
The community of Macambini, near Mandeni, is set to clash with the KwaZulu-Natal government after announcing a second multibillion-rand development project for the area.

Premier S'bu Ndebele, KZN Director-General Kwazi Mbanjwa and King Goodwill Zwelithini recently travelled to Dubai to unveil a R44-billion project to be built on 16 500ha.

The project would include Africa's first internationally branded entertainment theme park, a shopping centre, a sports village and a dedicated education and health village. This would be alongside hotels, resorts, spas, a marina, residential offerings, community facilities and nature reserves.

The KZN government signed a memorandum of understanding with the developers, the Ruwaad consortium, while in Dubai.

However, the Macambini community, led by Inkosi Khayelihle Mathaba, were opposed to the project, saying they had not been consulted and feared they would have to move. The community had previously been moved to make way for a highway to be built.
On Wednesday, the Macambini traditional council announced that 500ha of its land along the Indian Ocean had been reserved for another massive development led by another Dubai-based company, the Bukhatir Group.

The $5-billion development would be known as the Macambini Sports City, a world-class sports city to be built by the Bukhatir Group's property arm Sport Cities International. Bukhatir is one of the largest companies in the United Arab Emirates.

The Macambini Sports City would feature high-rise residential and commercial towers, a shopping mall, a five-star hotel, a signature golf course, a multi-purpose stadium and other social amenities. Construction was expected to start in 18 months.

The impact from investment in property, employment, entertainment and tourism is expected to result in an improvement in the lives of the Macambini community.

The development would be a direct investment aimed at stimulating economic growth and ensuring the strengthening of KZN's infrastructure, said Bukhatir.

An estimated 20 000 direct and indirect jobs would be created during the construction and operational phase.

"We aim to improve the quality of life for the people of Macambini through our sports academies and grass-roots programmes. We set out to identify and recruit talent from local communities and nurture their growth through sports training with the objective of cultivating the next generation of national heroes," said Sport Cities International chief executive Zahid Noorani.

Mathaba, a member of the provincial legislature, said he welcomed developments that respected the rights of his people and would not forcefully remove them from their land.

He would not be dictated to on who he should enter into partnership with regarding his area. He made it clear that he and his community did not want the Ruwaad development and said neither Ndebele nor the king would dictate what he did in Macambini.

He would meet his 30-member traditional council which would send a letter to the Ingonyama Trust Board outlining its decision to grant the development to the Bukhatir Group.

It would also engage the finance and economic development portfolio committee.

An unruly Macambini crowd took to the roads last week, burning tyres and disrupting traffic near the Mandini toll plaza while protesting against the Ruwaad development.

Mbanjwa said in a statement that all would-be investors would have to go through the normal process of having their projects considered for incorporation into the integrated development plans of the Mandeni Local Municipality and the Ilembe District Municipality.

"This is the only legal route to go once any proposal has been firmed. We are satisfied that the north coast of KZN is entering exciting times...With regards to the proposed development (Ruwaad) on the north coast, we remain fully committed to proper and thorough consultation with all stakeholders that will be subject to the normal legal processes in a fully transparent manner. We will only do what is in the best interests of the people of Macambini, the people of KZN and the people of South Africa," he said.

This article was originally published on page 4 of The Mercury on October 23, 2008

SOURCE: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=124&art_id=vn20081023053835190C164028

more on Macambini Sports City...
SA Boy what are your thoughts on these developments... - you are right in the action in Dubai - you surely can get info or will hear about what's happening...

Premier licked in R44bn deal
23 October 2008
Mhlaba Memela

Sabotaged: Sbu Ndebele
Chief triumphs

The recently announced R44 billion project initiated by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele has been sabotaged.

Chief Khayelihle Mathaba has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based Sport Cities International (SCI) – a member of the Bukhatir Group – indicating an acceptance of the new project and not the one spearheaded by Ndebele.

At a media briefing, Mathaba and SCI indicated their project would be launched in 18 months. Mathaba said he signed with SCI after both parties agreed that people would not be removed from ancestral land.

Yesterday the international real estate giant SCI agreed to invest over R55 billion in the Macambini Sports City development spanning 500 hectares on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal and were given the go-ahead by the community and its local traditional leaders.


The Ndebele project called Amazulu World was launched at a glittering event in Dubai earlier this month. At the time, it was made clear by locals that the project had the blessing of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini but not that of its local leaders.

The rejection of the premier’s initiative was evident because Mathaba refused to be part of a delegation with Ndebele and King Zwelithini when they went to Dubai to finalise the investment earlier this month.

Ndebele was accused of failing to consult the community over the development.


Mathaba said he was asked by his people to meet the investor over the project.


Macambini Sports City development is expected to stimulate economic growth and strengthen infrastructure and create 20000 jobs.

Ndebele was in a cabinet meeting yesterday and is expected to comment later.


“We believe we can make a huge difference in people’s lives. It’s not about money but about benefiting the people,” said Ilya Baig of SCI.

Source: http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=868746

They know what is what, but they don't know what is what, so what the f*ck... (fat boy slim)

Question... is it R55 Billion or R5 Billion... as Ruwaad's is R44 Billion on 16,500 Hectares, & SCI's is R55 Billion on only 500 Hectares

And... also, Amazulu is said to have a sport precinct, (phase 1b & 1c), so could this possibly be what Sport Cities International (SCI) are responsible for... & Ruwaad for the Theme Park?

"Merchant said: “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 Africa’s first dedicated education and health village."

Just wondering, as we all know how wont our media is at getting things all messed up for sensations sake.

Cheers

RavenX

And again, not impressed.

WTF? what's this "sports city" for? Raising future sporting heroes my ass; greed is all what its about! Why not rebuild the whole Durban CBD instead? The sport precinct around the new stadium could be expanded. A new 'luxury' city is not needed up north. The dubaians are up to no good. They are out to destroy the K-Natal environment in the same way they are doing to the Dubaian coast.

i sit back and laugh as this is all about brand building and neither will happen-MARK MY WORDS, i know both firms and theis new one has a better track record in Dubai.

Seems like Ruwaad did not grease enough palms

^^LOL be ready for a bitter war between Sbu, King Goodwill, and this "Macambini" tirbe

the "Zulu² war" LOL

:bash:SPORT CITIES INTERNATIONAL AND INKOSI MATHABA ANNOUNCE PLANS TO DEVELOP MACAMBINI SPORTS CITY



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Durban, South Africa, October 22, 2008 – Sport Cities International (SCI), the real estate arm of Bukhatir Group in agreement with Inkosi K W Mathaba, has announced plans to launch its next Sports City project along the northern coast of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in Macambini. After discussions, both parties have reached an initial agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday in Macambini with the Traditional Council present. The Macambini Sports City will be developed over 500 hectares of land.



In welcoming this development, Inkosi Mathaba said, “We welcome such developments like Sport Cities International that respect the rights of my people and that will not forcefully remove my people from their ancestral land. Our Memorandum of Understanding with Sport Cities International has given me hope for the future of the Macambini people and the mutual benefits that will be derived from this development.”



The Bukhatir Group (BG), headquartered in the UAE, is amongst the largest and most diversified multinational business houses in the Middle East. The geographical domain of Bukhatir Group spans from North America, Europe, Africa, to West and South Asia.



Abdulrahman Bukhatir, Chairman of the Bukhatir Group stated, “I value the importance of acting responsibly and respecting the preservation of natural environments, embracing the cultural values of the local community, and contributing positively to society as a whole. A major goal of our entire concept is promoting healthy living and developing the surrounding community by providing youth and adolescents a platform to discover their talents and expanding the labor skill set by creating new jobs. Sport Cities International boasts being the most unique and high quality development in its class, encompassing both the spirit of sport and luxury. We are enthusiastic to finalize our agreement with Inkosi Mathaba and will work closely with Inkosi and his Council to deliver a first-class development and an ultimate destination for all of South Africa.”

This foreign investment will stimulate economic growth and ensure the strengthening of KZN’s infrastructure. Total investment in the Macambini Sports City project will exceed USD five billion ($5,000,000,000 USD). An expected 20,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction and operational phase, contributing to the skills and abilities of the labor pool while decreasing the unemployment rate. The direct economic impact from investment in property, employment, entertainment and tourism will result in an improvement in the lives for the Macambini community.

The planned Macambini Sports City will feature high-rise residential and commercial towers, world-class shopping mall, five-star hotel, signature golf course, multi-purpose stadium and other social amenities - all designed to meet the highest architectural and aesthetic specifications.


According to Zahid Noorani, CEO, Sport Cities International, corporate responsibility is a core value, “We aim to improve the quality of life for the people of Macambini, through our sports academies and grassroots programs, we set out to identify and recruit talent from local communities and nurture their growth through extensive training. The objective is to cultivate the next generation of national sports heroes. Making a difference and changing a young persons life is incredibly rewarding.”

seems Ruwaad are up for the challenge...

Dubai rivals compete for $4bn South African mega project
By Andy Sambidge
Friday, 24 October 2008

MEGA PROJECT: An aerial view of the Ruwaad development site near Durban in South Africa. (Supplied)

A Dubai-based company behind a $4 billion development in South Africa says it is confident that the project will not be derailed amid a political row.

Ruwaad Holdings unveiled Amazulu World, a massive themed entertainment and mixed-use destination development on the north coast of Durban at a glittering ceremony in the emirate last month.

Bosses said the real estate, hospitality and tourism project on 16,500 hectares of land in KwaZulu-Natal province would be the biggest development of its kind anywhere in the African continent.

The company even flew in the local Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sibusiso Ndebele, to endorse the mega project and a memorandum of understanding was signed during the visit.

But on Thursday, it emerged that the local Macambini community, led by Khayelihle Mathaba, was opposed to Ruwaad's plans and had reserved part of the proposed development site for another massive project led by another Dubai-based company, the Bukhatir Group.

The multi-billion dollar scheme would be known as the Macambini Sports City, a sports city to be built by the Bukhatir Group's property arm Sport Cities International, featuring high-rise residential and commercial towers, a shopping mall, a five-star hotel, a signature golf course, a multi-purpose stadium and other social amenities. Construction is expected to start in 18 months.

Now, the Bukhatir scheme and the Ruwaad proposals are facing the prospect of competing for the same development site but Ruwaad group CEO Hayan Merchant denied that Amazulu World was at risk.

In an exclusive statement to Arabian Business, Merchant said: "We would like to categorically announce to all stakeholders that Amazulu World is still proceeding as planned and has the blessings of all arms of the government including the local, provincial and national government.

"Ruwaad are moving swiftly to complete the social and community participation procedures for the project, in order to obtain the approvals required from the South African government, necessary to begin the project’s construction. The project is scheduled to be built in multiple phases over a period of 25 years.

"We remain committed to developing this project which we believe will have huge benefits for the local community, the Kwazulu-Natal province and South Africa."

The Ruwaad project would also include a number of hotels, resorts and spas, a marina, a variety of residential offerings, community facilities, and nature reserves.

Initial studies indicate that Amazulu World will create more than 200,000 new jobs, and will increase tourism to the region by almost 40 percent through attracting millions of tourists.

But Sport Cities International chief executive Zahid Noorani, quoted in South African media reports, said: "We aim to improve the quality of life for the people of Macambini through our sports academies and grass-roots programmes."

Last week, crowds of people from Macambini took to the streets, burning tyres and disrupting traffic during a protest against the Ruwaad development.

Source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/535855-dubai-rivals-compete-for-4bn-south-african-mega-project?ln=en

It's alive :)

and the one we thought was least likely to survive of the two...

now we need the details...

Sport city? for what...
The world cup fever won't last even for 2 months and thereafter all things shall go back to normal.

They should build a real city not many stadiums that water consuming, were are running out of water in SA.

guys reality check for all, this and the other one are dead in fact deader than dead, like a norwegian blue parrot, it ceases to exist.

No money in dubai, no bank gonna finance to build a sports city in rural SA, no local Sa developers going to be jr partners

^^ True, the world is now broke and its official

yes i agree giles, but it may be taking on a very different form

Perhaps this should be moved to the Durban section, considering the AmaZulu World project was proposed for the same place and is in the Durban section, lol.

From the other day:

Source: http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=41996

Macambini: Development project back
09 Jun 2010


KZN MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu has resuscitated the multi-billion rand development project in the Macambini area, which collapsed last year amid complaints by community members.

The initial project, which was valued at R44 billion, collapsed when the people in the area demonstrated against it when it emerged that 8 500 people would have to be moved to make way for the project.

The MEC on Sunday visited the area to inform the community that the project is being resuscitated. He said they are still in the negotiations phase with the company Ruwaard from Dubai.

He assured the community members that they will not be moved from the area. — Witness Reporter.

Of course this just seems to add to confusion as they mention "Ruwaard" (sic) as the developer as opposed to Bukhatir/SCI...

The local municipal elections have come and gone so we can't write the MEC's words off to political vote-collecting either.

A quick look at SCI's website shows that a very similar concept has just been launched in Tunisia: a $5bn 'Sports City' with a golf course, apartments and luxury houses. Check it out at http://www.sportcitiesinternational.com/english/media_center.php?news=Khaleej_Times

Wonder if they decided to push this one ahead of their plans for SA? The article on the site also mentions that they are planning similar projects in SA and Sri Lanka.

The reality of the situation is that this seems far further away then initially thought. I also would go so far as to say that the term 'Sports City' is a bit of a marketing catchphrase. It appears to be in many ways a large sports resort with accompanying infrastructure. The "$5bn", although a sizeable investment, is also spread over at least 14 years in the Tunisian case. This makes sense in terms of the size of SCI, whose annual turnover is only in the region of 3bn AED.

Presume this is still dead or hovering or something, but came across all sorts of new renders...

http://www.watg.com/index.cfm/page/amazulu-valley-south-africa/

and more below


http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/urban-resort-03.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/urban-resort-1.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/urban-resort-5.jpg&w=695&h=500

A Green Downtown~
Forming the downtown district and administrative heart of AmaZulu Valley this master planning development includes offices, shops, residential, schools, a hospital, police and fire stations and places of worship. The master planners used green roofs extensively, forming a network of public space above the traffic. To the north is the Shaka Zulu University Campus and to the south the Paramount Theme Park.


http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mixed-Used-02.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mixed-Used-11.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mixed-Used-21.jpg&w=695&h=500

Shaka Zulu Hotel

FSC Architects (www.fscarchitects.com)

This 300 room Casino Hotel sits atop a natural hill overlooking the South African Velt with views of the Indian Ocean beyond. Inspired by the bull horn formation of the Zulu Kraals and the intricate structure of the intrinsic buildings, all guest rooms overlook the new AmaZulu Valley development stretching across 16,500 hectares one hour north of Durban. The three landscaped courts are themed using the elements of Earth, Fire and Water and the luxury hotel design includes conference facilities, a showroom theatre, restaurants and spa. A monorail connects the hotel with the downtown district and Paramount Theme-park nearby.

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Iconic1.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/CIMG1340.jpg&w=695&h=500

Masterplan images...clearly lots of background planning went into this project... wonder if any element of it will ever see the light day? the area it was planned for does have vast potential for beach focused resorts

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/durban-master-plan-02.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/durban-master-plan-2.jpg&w=695&h=500

http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/themes/blogfolio/themify/img.php?src=http://www.fscarchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Sports-Center-0.jpg&w=695&h=500