Hanif Merchant talks about the sustainable benefits of Ruwaad’s ‘Amazulu World’ to KwaZulu-Natal and to South Africa

Ruwaad, a UAE-based real estate, hospitality and tourism investment and development company, which recently announced plans to develop ‘Amazulu World’, a multi-billion dollar themed entertainment and mixed-use destination development on the north coast of Durban in South Africa, will work to the benefit of the KwaZulu-Natal province for generations ahead, according to Hanif Merchant, Chairman of Ruwaad and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal province, Sibusiso Ndebele.

“This development will have a significant, positive impact on the South African economy and will cause positive ripples in terms of the environmental, tourism and social benefits,” explained Hanif Merchant. Ruwaad’s Amazulu World is expected to create more than 200,000 new jobs, and will increase tourism to the region by almost 40% through attracting millions of tourists.

Hayan Merchant, Group CEO of Ruwaad explained some of its many key elements including Africa’s first world-class internationally branded entertainment theme park, a shopping destination, a sports village development, a lifestyle community and an education and health village – all of which will be the largest in Africa. “These will be developed in addition to hotels, resorts and spas, a marina, a variety of residential offerings, community facilities, and nature reserves,” Hayan Merchant said.

The project by Ruwaad will be a master-planned, uniquely African destination development covering approximately 16,500 hectares of land. “It will be the biggest and most comprehensive development of its kind anywhere in the African continent,” added Hanif Merchant.

Ruwaad recently appointed a number of design, communication and corporate consultants for ensuring the development’s success, which include WATG, Jack Rouse Associates, XFACTA marketing, Deloitte and Cox Yeats.