Momentum from the Durban CBD along the N2, and the development of King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) has increased the accessibility and demand of properties along the Natal North Coast. This has resulted in an increased demand for residential and coastal resort developments. Developments such as Zimbali and Blythedale have also been catalysts in an unfolding coastal resort corridor stretching from Zimbali to Zinkwazi Beach.
The Nonoti Area is located on the seaward side of the N2 highway, on the Nonoti River, roughly mid-way between the inland towns of KwaDukuza and Mandini. Two smaller towns located on the northern side of the site, within five kilometres is the inland town of Nkwazi and the coastal town of Zinkwazi.
To the south along the coast the site is adjacent to a sting of costal developments such as Princes’ Grant and Blythedale.
Pre-feasibility and full feasibility studies in addition to environmental management framework studies have been conducted and presents opportunities for the development of a beach tourism resort and other value-add sector initiatives. The analysis process clearly defines the parameters for the kind/type of tourism development that would best suit the Nonoti Precinct; however four trends can be accommodated i.e. beach resort, cultural, nature and health & wellness.
The best use of the site would be to focus on nature tourism through the introduction of an eco-lodge, which extrapolates the natural experiental qualities that treads lightly on the existing environment, however provides a contemporary architecture of place.
The Nonoti Precinct should be inspired by existing natural beauty, the surrounding infrastructural context as well as the existing community as inspiration for the fruition of the project.
Another vital assist of the site is the ability to extract human capacity through the local community from an operations perspective.
The principles driving the Nonoti development are hinged on a sustainable closed circuit approach. The existing Nonoti community become the drivers of the development through their ownership and commitment to the project.
