Miller Matola, CEO of Millvest, Bongiwe Nzeku, Head of Business Development and Support Services at SA Tourism, Rung Button, Deputy Chairperson KZN Tourism and Film Authority, and Jabulani Nzuza from the City of uMhlathuze, at Sandton Convention Centre.
Image: KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film/Supplied
The City of uMhlathuze has officially been selected to host the much-anticipated Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) 2025.
This prestigious event, set to occur from August 26 to 27 at Thembela Events Venue, Richards Bay, aims to unite investors and business leaders from across the continent, all in search of lucrative investment opportunities.
The media launch, held at Meetings Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, reflects uMhlathuze's rising profile as a significant hub for tourism and investment in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mayor of uMhlathuze Municipality, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi, expressed optimism about the event's potential to drive economic development in the region.
“We intend to drive economic growth while positioning our port city and region as a competitive hub for export trade and investment,” he stated, highlighting the city's strategic advantage as a gateway to the natural wonders of Zululand and Maputaland.
Ngwezi believes that TIFA 2025 will catalyse the showcasing of a wealth of investment projects aimed at enhancing the area’s global competitiveness.
Supporting the initiative, Sibusiso Gumbi, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, noted, “This initiative aligns with our strategic mandate to position and promote the province as a desirable tourism destination and film location.”
Gumbi underscored that hosting TIFA will not only open doors to essential capital influxes but will also shine a spotlight on lesser-known regions as viable investment and business event locations.
Miller Matola, CEO of Millvest, echoed this sentiment, describing uMhlathuze's tourism potential and its port infrastructure as a treasure trove for investors seeking sustainable and inclusive growth opportunities.
He elucidated the importance of the TIFA in linking local economic development with global investment actions: “This was a key factor in our choice of the city of uMhlathuze as the host for the third edition of the TIFA.”
The forum's theme, "Tourism and Infrastructure Investment: Driving Economic Transformation and Enhancing Community Well-Being," promises engaging discussions and opportunities for collaboration among industry stakeholders, investors, and policymakers from all corners of Africa.
Participants can anticipate site visits to critical investment projects, showcasing the region's tourism potential and further solidifying uMhlathuze’s status on the investment map.
With direct flights linking Johannesburg and Richards Bay, along with a range of accommodation options, delegates can look forward to a comfortable stay while exploring the myriad investment possibilities presented by this vibrant region.
The conference is poised not only to raise awareness of uMhlathuze’s offerings but also to generate excitement for future development initiatives that could transform KwaZulu-Natal's economic landscape.