South Africa: Club Med creates 600 permanent jobs at its first resort

Club Med officially inaugurated its first resort in South Africa on Thursday, September 17, in KwaZulu-Natal, representing an investment of over 2 billion rand that has created 600 direct permanent jobs. The project also supports approximately 1,500 indirect jobs through suppliers and related activities.

The construction of the complex had already generated more than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs. The South African presidency also noted that 84% of the Beach Resort’s employees are South African, and all staff at the Vikela Safari Lodge come from surrounding communities.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the project as the largest hotel investment made in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community since the opening of Sun City in the 1970s.

The group presents South Africa Beach & Safari as its first establishment in the country. The resort combines a beach offering on the KwaZulu-Natal coast with a safari experience, with marketing already open to both the South African and international markets.

The inauguration comes as South Africa welcomed 6.5 million international visitors between January and July 2026, marking a 12.4% increase year-on-year, according to figures cited by the presidency.