Building with intent : The Club Med South Africa construction strategy
While some may assume that Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari is just a luxury resort taking shape on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, those in the know understand how much more there is to the building of this hotly-anticipated resort. The Development Manager, Collins Residential have been working closely with the Club Med team to curate a carefully choreographed construction strategy that is set to become a possible global blueprint of how to successfully build large, complex developments that are not only of the highest quality – but inclusive in the supply chain process. Rather than the usual tactic of handing the entire project over to a single large contractor, Collins Residential has taken a more innovative and varied approach.
“We broke this site down to first principles,” says Chris du Toit, Project Lead of Tinley Leisure Pty Ltd, the owners of the resort. “Instead of going the traditional route and appointing the whole development to one or two contractors, we’ve divided the project into multiple packages, allowing us to maintain control, adapt to conditions on the ground, and focus on the skills that each contractor excels at, thus build stronger relationships with teams on site”.
Collins’ multi-faceted model splits the build into seven major construction packages, ranging from civils, to hotel blocks and luxury villas to infrastructure, staff housing, and resort amenities. Each package is assigned to a specific contractor team through a rigorous selection process, based on credentials and expertise, but also largely based on who would actually be present on-site day to day.
“Our model allows us to adapt, pivot, and hold each contractor accountable in real-time,” says du Toit. Adding, “While it’s a more involved approach from our side, it’s how we believe we can best protect the integrity of this project”.
The resort site spans two hills, with planned access routes that ensure work continues even in the face of disruption. It’s a design that prioritises resilience and momentum while derisking delivery. “We are under very tight and strict deadlines with Club Med global for delivery – if you imagine 1000 foreign guests arriving on opening day, we can’t very well send them packing back to Europe because the resort isn’t ready,” quips du Toit. Club Med will be opening their worldwide reservations in September this year, some 10 months ahead of actual opening, so, “We simply have to be ready”, du Toit explains.
With all seven contracts currently underway, the site is in full-swing and in April the project topped out on its labour numbers with some 1,400 people currently working there every day.
Bulk services including the roads, dam, water pipework and permanent electrical supply (with 3km of cabling) is all due to be completed shortly. Village and Hotel accommodation is already built to roof height with the first layers of paint applied, with internal fitouts soon to commence. At the same time, the resort amenities like the Convention Centre, Kids Club, family pool, and sports facilities, Beach Club as well as the staff accommodation (for 200 people) are currently on track, and underway.
Across the site large scale planting and irrigation has been initiated, giving the resort its first touches of landscape design. “The multi-contractor approach taken for this project gives us flexibility and accountability. If we’d handed the full build to a single entity, we’d be locked into their timeline and process,” explains du Toit. “Instead, we’ve scaled systems in line with site activity — from contractor check-ins to health and safety management”.
Incorporating Local Labour and Connecting the Dots
According to Murray Collins, CEO of Collins Residential, from the outset, the focus has been on local labour integration through the inclusion of a formal Community Forum that includes ward councillors, a local traditional leader and the client, to oversee recruitment across the three surrounding Wards. “We’re investing in the local economy and people. Our contractor teams are supported by strong local labour with many of the labourers sourced from within 10km from site, and every package has clear targets for community involvement,” adds Collins.
Construction began in March 2024, and momentum is high with over 1,400 people currently onsite. The timeline of this project has been reverse-engineered from a shared completion date, meaning all packages need to land together — like puzzle pieces locking into place.
“With the progress made on site to date, we’ve now reached a stage where the rhythm of work is syncing across the site,” says Collins. “It’s exciting to see how everything is starting to take shape”.
Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari is well on its way to becoming a destination that redefines all-inclusive luxury — and how it’s built. “Every decision we’ve made has been about intent. This isn’t just about construction — it’s about legacy, innovation, and doing things the right way,” concludes Collins.
Images: Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari Site Images
