Six hospitality and tourism businesses on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast have received long-term leases after more than five years of trading without secure tenure, following sustained advocacy by FEDHASA and intervention by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure.
On Friday, 30 October 2026, Minister Dean Macpherson and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer formally handed over leases of nine years and eleven months to the affected operators, bringing to an end a period of prolonged uncertainty that had resulted in business closures, job losses, and vandalised premises. The impact extended beyond individual operators, as deteriorating facilities and closures reduced the appeal of the surrounding destination.
FEDHASA escalated the matter to provincial and national Public Works authorities, engaging persistently on behalf of the affected operators until a resolution was reached. At the handover ceremony, Minister Macpherson specifically acknowledged the contribution of FEDHASA KZN and Eastern Cape Vice-Chair Mandy Massey, recognising her sustained efforts in keeping the matter before decisionmakers.
“Some of these operators watched businesses they had spent years building begin to crumble. They couldn’t plan or invest. They couldn’t even reassure their staff. A lease is the foundation on which a business invests, employs, and grows, and for five years, they were stripped of that foundation. This outcome demonstrates exactly why FEDHASA exists. Advocacy works – and this is proof of that.”
Looking Ahead
With secure tenure now in place, the affected businesses are positioned to access finance, refurbish their premises, and make long-term commitments to their employees. FEDHASA anticipates that the broader South Coast tourism economy will benefit as operators reinvest in their properties and visitor offerings improve.
FEDHASA has commended Minister Macpherson, MEC Meyer, and their teams for their responsiveness and for delivering a tangible outcome for the businesses and employees affected.
