[January 2009, Durban] Zimbali Coastal Resort has been consistently feted as the most one of the most celebrated resorts on the international property market and has undeniably cemented its position amongst the finest in the world with having been awarded the highest possible accolade in the international property arena. 

At the culminating event of the highly competitive International Property Awards held in Orlando, Florida in November 2008, Zimbali Coastal Resort was bestowed with the BEST INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MARKETING AWARD WORLDWIDE, this out of a field of 4000 entries and 97 different countries in total.  Up to 5 nominees were selected from the highest scoring winners across 21 different categories and as IFA Sales & Marketing Vice President [Africa and the Indian Ocean], Mr Andreas Wassenaar says, "This competition pits the best companies from each country against each other and this year, the stakes could not have been higher, given the current economic situation."

This is the third consecutive year that Zimbali has been hailed as one of the world's pre-eminent mixed use resorts at the CNBC Property Awards - for the exceptional 5-star residential and resort based lifestyle it provides. In addition to a third consecutive win in the category of Best International Property Marketing Worldwide, Zimbali was bestowed with two five star awards at the International Property Marketing Awards, Europe and Africa, earlier in the year in the categories of BEST PROPERTY MARKETING, SOUTH AFRICA and BEST GOLF DEVELOPMENT, SOUTH AFRICA and to add to this phenomenal achievement, Zimbali was awarded with three four star awards in the categories of BEST DEVELOPMENT, SOUTH AFRICA, BEST ARCHITECTURE, SINGLE UNIT, SOUTH AFRICA for the magnificent 'Monk's Manor' [10 Lakewood Drive, Zimbali] and BEST DEVELOPER WEBSITE, SOUTH AFRICA.

Wassenaar says, "Zimbali has surpassed the standard that it had set for Southern African developments and to be acknowledged as the global best is an indication of the recognition that the Zimbali Coastal Resort has garnered in the international property industry. The CNBC supported International Property Awards represent the pinnacle of recognition in the international property industry and Zimbali has once again demonstrated its overwhelming international appeal."

Now in their fourteenth year, The CNBC International Property Awards celebrate global accomplishment and are aligned to the European and Arabian International Property Awards.  Regarded as the 'Oscars' of the industry, they provide recognition of the highest and most aspirational levels of international achievement in property related fields and encompass estate agents, property developers, architects, interior designers and other related property trades on the global stage.

Chairing the Competition Entry Committee was the British Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Eric Pickles who was joined by an illustrious panel of 33 [thirty-three] leading international property, décor, architecture and design aficionados as judges.  The highly credible awards selection panel included Helen Shield, Editor-in-Chief of 'International Homes Magazine', Peter Bolton  King (CEO of the National Association of Estate Agents), presenter of 'Location and Relocation' Phil Spencer and Imitaz Faoorkhi in his capacity as Chief Executive of the National House Building Council. The past president of the National Association of Estate Agents, Christopher Hall and Thijis Stoffer of the International Consortium of Real Estate Agents Association (or ICREA) were also on the committee that judged Zimbali's entry as superior in the competition.

The committee was rounded off by the expertise of the president of Berendes & Partner Consulting, Hans-Ulrich Berendes, Ed Binkley as National Design Director of the AIA, Kirkor Ajderhanyan from the French Real Estate Federation, internationally renowned property writer David Hoppit, editor Jill Keene of 'International Homes Magazine', Diana Yakely in her capacity as Chairperson of the British Interior Design Association and Tad Zurlinden of the Association of Relocation Professionals.

Other judges included Geoff Cohen and Raul Curiel of Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, MD of Starguard Developments Adrian Coolbergen, and Gillian Farr in her capacity as Design Manager of Laura Ashley. Sales Director of CNBC Africa, Omer Ghani and Mike Jordan of Cornish Stairways, as well as Neil Jefferson of Excellence in Housing and Dean Keyworth as Chairman of the British Interior Design Association were also on the panel. The remaining judges were Roy Chung Yee Ling (Vice President of JP Morgan CFA), Wilson Lim, Mark Mahoney from the Daily Mail, Guy Medd of Chosen Homes, Robin van Meeuwen, Sarah Purves, Jonathan Price (UK president of the FIABCI), Oliver Richards, Mark Taylor and Paul Taylor.

Central to the Zimbali marketing ethos is relationship building with both the media and public, backed by the creation of traditional advertising and strong public relations initiatives to reinforce the exceptional destination resort offering and investment opportunities available. A pivotal aspect of Zimbali marketing is the interactive website, which is employed in an educational and informative manner. A popular aspect of the website is the image library, which is used by media worldwide to source high quality images of the estate, its facilities and its pristine environs.  The rewards of Zimbali's marketing efforts are evident in the trend shattering sales figures boasted by the resort year-on-year.

The first-class reputation of the resort has been further enhanced by the introduction of the Zimbali Lakes Resort, which delivers an additional 300 hectares of mixed use residential property onto the market, as well as the R1, 8 billion Fairmont Zimbali Hotel & Resort. These new offerings are coupled with the only internationally branded and most exclusive Private Residence Club in South Africa, the Fairmont Heritage Place, Zimbali.

Says Wassenaar, "With the Fairmont Zimbali Hotel & Resort development firmly on track to reach completion at the end of 2009 ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the Zimbali Lakes Resort development launched at the beginning of December, we are confident that Zimbali will continue to receive this type of recognition - keeping us at the very top of the game for many years to come. "

All of the awards and the international recognition that they engender are important in light of the current financial and property market climate within South Africa says Wassenaar, "Zimbali has been through several interest rate cycles and we remember vividly when interest rates peaked at over 25% in November 1998. With prime currently at 15, 5% we are far from the historically scary levels and expect rates to start easing. As developers we are under no pressure to sell and given Tongaat Hulett Developments and IFA Hotels & Resorts' financial strength and long term views adopted for all our developments, we are in a position to be patient and ride out the current economic storm."

For further information on Zimbali Coastal Resort visit www.zimbali.co.za or contact the Zimbali Sales Centre:

Telephone:        +27 32 538 1984
Fax:                  +27 32 538 1986

Mobile:             +27 83 409 2666/7

E-mail: sales@zimbali.co.za