The firm Ruwaad unveiled their plans for KwaZulu-Natal on the first day of Cityscape 2008, an annual four-day international real estate exhibition.  The R44-billion theme park and mixed-use development on the north coast of Durban will be called AmaZulu World and has the support of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.

The project will be a master-planned, uniquely African destination development covering approximately 16,500 hectares (40,750 acres) of land, and will be the biggest and most comprehensive development of its kind anywhere in the African continent," said Ruwaard. The development will be built in phases over 25 years, the company said.Key elements will include "Africa's first world-class internationally branded entertainment theme park," Africa's largest shopping destination, a sports village, a dedicated education and health village, as well as hotels and resorts.

 South Africa's hosting of the 2010 football World Cup, its heavy investment in infrastructure and the recent surge of foreign investments in tourism projects "will support this development in becoming the destination choice of Africa," said Ruwaad CEO Hayan Merchant.

According to South African-based consultancy Pam Golding Hospitality, which secured a lucrative contract from Ruwaad to conduct research for the project, AmaZulu World would incorporate a mixed-use development with 20 large hotels and two theme parks of international standard and size. It would also have residences, golf courses and other hospitality-related offerings.

"South Africa and KZN must go out of their way to secure this development, which is unparalleled both in its stature and magnitude," said Pam Golding Hospitality managing director Joop Demes.

"This will put KZN on the global tourism and property map. To put it into context, this development will be several times the investment made by another Dubai-based group in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront,"

Source   : The Mercury on October 08, 2008