KZN South Coast’s Comeback: Value, lifestyle & big development bets

• Semigration surges as families and retirees target KZN South Coast value.
• Major new estates reshape the region with North Coast style living at lower prices.
• Direct Joburg - Margate flights accelerate buyer demand and investment confidence.

The re-emergence of the KZN South Coast

‍The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is undergoing a genuine resurgence—driven by affordability, lifestyle appeal, and a wave of new developments that are reshaping this long-loved region. Once overshadowed by the booming North Coast, the South Coast is now firmly back on the investment radar.

From Pennington through to Port Edward, buyers are finding a rare combination: accessible price points, natural beauty, warm-water beaches, and a community-driven way of life. The region’s revival is also fuelled by hard infrastructure: the daily direct flights between Johannesburg and Margate have become a decisive drawcard for Gauteng semigrants, remote workers, retirees, and holiday-home investors.

Why the South Coast is back in play

Lifestyle plus Affordability = Growing Demand

‍The area has always appealed for its Blue Flag beaches, subtropical weather, fishing and diving spots, and strong golf culture. But what’s driving the new wave of demand is unmatched value for money.

Compared to the North Coast, where freehold homes often start at R4m–R7m and estates command double-digit millions, the South Coast remains highly accessible. Sectional title units often begin under R1m, modern estates offer plot-and-plan from the mid-R2m’s, and large erven with sea views remain available at entry-level pricing.

Pam Golding Properties’ area experts confirm the shift:

“There’s been a notable increase in semigration from Gauteng and other inland provinces,” says Mohammed Valodia, Pam Golding Properties Port Shepstone principal.

“Younger families, retirees, and remote workers are all seeing real value here.”

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Holiday investors remain active too, especially in Uvongo, Margate, and St Michaels-on-Sea where year-round short-stay demand is strong.

Region-by-Region market snapshot

Lower South Coast (Hibberdene to Margate)

• Vacant stands: R80,000 – R250,000
• Two-bed sectional title units: from ±R700,000
• Family homes needing upgrades: from ±R1.1m
• Prime beachfront sectional title: from ±R1.2m

Valodia notes that although the region hasn’t seen Cape Town–style surges, it offers consistency and dependable long-term growth.

Port Edward

‍Demand is strong for land priced between R150,000 - R190,000, with a large share of buyers coming from the Eastern Cape.

Beachfront homes: R3.5m – R6m
Beachfront sectional title: R1.2m – R3m
Homes two streets back with sea views: R1.8m – R4m, with top-end sales nearing R5m.

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Cath Molyneaux, Pam Golding Port Edward principal, says:
“Holiday buyers dominate, with many securing homes now for future retirement. San Lameer remains one of the safest bets on the entire coast.”

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Pennington

‍Pennington is one of the strongest resurgence nodes, fuelled by Gauteng semigrants chasing lifestyle and affordability.

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“Forty percent of our buyers are purchasing for primary residence, with another 30% for holiday homes and 30% for retirement,” says Stef Nel, Pam Golding Properties Pennington principal.

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Pennington pricing:

• Vacant stands: R230,000 – R400,000
• Sectional title units: R800,000 – R1.2m
• Older fixer-upper homes: R1.3m – R1.6m
• Freehold homes: R1.2m – R2.5m
• Secure estate homes (Penn Valley / Selborne): R950,000 – R1.6m

Prime beachfront: R3.5m – R7.7m

Amanzimtoti

‍Still driven by local buyers (80%), Amanzimtoti remains a sectional-title stronghold.

Standard 3-bed beachfront sectional title: R1m – R2.8m
Top-end Ipahla Drive homes: R3m – R20m

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“Activity is rising in the R750,000 – R1.8m band,” says Tony Penfold, Pam Golding Amanzimtoti principal.

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A surge of catalytic developments

‍The South Coast isn’t just selling existing stock, it’s building momentum with major estates and multi-billion-rand projects.

Bahari Bay (Shelly Beach)

‍This 100-hectare eco-development is positioning itself as the South Coast’s flagship.

Half the land is untouched conservation area, delivering unrivalled nature living with direct beach access, dams, hiking routes, and biking trails.

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Gawie Venter, Developer of Bahari Bay, says: “Bahari Bay is the best place to be. This estate will be the next gem of the KZN South Coast. The value here far surpasses North Coast offerings.”

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Architect Vinodh Bridglall adds:
“Instead of moving north, I decided to bring the essence of the North Coast to the South Coast. This is where the next growth wave is.”

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Pricing:

• Plots from R470,000
• Plot-and-plan from R2.6m

Bahari Bay’s premium enclave, The Executive, offers double plots of 1,600 - 2,000m², with only four still available.

Other Major Developments

• Umdoni Point Coastal Forest Estate – R2bn
  Over-50s lifestyle estate in Pennington. Homes from R2.3m.
• Serenity Hills – R800m
  Eco-estate near Margate attracting international buyers.
• Renishaw Coastal Precinct – R15bn
  One of SA’s largest mixed-use coastal precincts; Renishaw Hills values up 50% in five years.
• Injabulo Lifestyle Estate – R300m
  254 full-title homes near Margate. 2-beds from R995,500, 3-beds from R1.19m.

These catalytic projects anchor the South Coast as a long-term growth corridor.

Why buyers are choosing the South Coast now

‍Three forces are converging:

1. Massive value-for-money gap compared to the North Coast and Western Cape.
2. Lifestyle-driven semigration from young families, retirees, and remote workers.
3. Billions in new developments signalling confidence and future appreciation.

Add the revived Margate Airport’s direct flights to Johannesburg and the region suddenly becomes far more viable for inland buyers who want a coastal life without coastal price inflation.

Genuine revival not hype

‍The KZN South Coast is experiencing a genuine revival—not a hype cycle. With unmatched affordability, rising development activity, strong semigration flows, and renewed connectivity, it’s becoming one of South Africa’s most compelling coastal investment destinations.

From Pennington’s steady surge to Bahari Bay’s North Coast–style estate living, the region offers a wide spectrum of opportunities backed by value and lifestyle fundamentals. As the new wave of catalytic projects unfolds, the South Coast is positioning itself not just for a comeback, but for sustained long-term growth.

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