RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY REVIEWS
ZIMBALI
COASTAL RESORT
The first prime beachfront sites were
put on the market for sale at Zimbali
Coastal Resort in 1996, signalling the
establishment of a development that would
act as a catalyst for significant investment
into KwaZulu Natal’s North Coast property
market. Launched by property developer
Tongaat Hulett Developments, the vision
was to create a quality-of-life development
with an ethos of living in harmony with
nature.
The estate’s homeowners’ association, ZEMA
(Zimbali Estate Management Association), with
General Manager, Sarika Somai-Sewpersad at
the helm, has come a very long way since
its initial development stages.
With the rapid success of property sales
over the past 21 years, ZEMA now boasts
a membership of 1,368 levy-paying property
owners, made up of an approximately 87
percent residential (including 227 holiday
rental properties) and 13 percent hotel
membership. The total levies, less the
hotel component, are 1166 levies, of which
approximately 420 homes are owned by
families that live permanently on the estate,
with a further 241 long-term lease houses,
as opposed to purchasing property as an the peak season, Zimbali sees 6,000 people
investment home, is largely attributed to the on the estate on average per day at any
altering demographic within the surrounding one given time.
area of the Dolphin Coast and Ballito,
brought about by access to amenities such
as quality schools and shopping centres. the levy base is derived from one levy being
The estate’s growth in residence called for hotel guests are in residence at the hotel,
a need to develop the facilities offered on they have access to all of the member
the estate. Taking into account the trend
of promoting a healthy lifestyle, identified
by means of a members survey, a decision
was reached to construct a fully equipped
gym which caters to 61 people at any given
time. The positive outcome from the survey
contributed to the overall achievement
of the facility which cascaded towards
upgrading the estate’s Bushbuck Club, now
equipped with a number of sporting facilities
such as cricket pitches, squash courts, a
soccer field and tennis courts. Looking at
the trend to enhance facilities for children,
and the wear and tear experienced on the
natural grass due to the impact of high
foot traffic in this area, ZEMA decided to
install AstroTurf at the playground, which
immediately enhanced the facility.
The estate’s nodal point, the Valley of the
Pools, was constructed to provide members
making an approximate figure of 57 percent with an opportunity to experience the
occupancy. beach from the safety of the estate. This
This is a vast contrast to the percentage
ratio of the membership who permanently
resided in Zimbali in the initial years, which
was ± 10% at inception to 20% in the
first 10 years. The change in occupancy,
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The 13 percent contribution of the hotels to
popular facility was upgraded in 2014 with
paid for every 2.5 bedrooms. While the
facilities on the estate as the hotel is a
levy-paying member, which creates a new
dimension for security. The golf course is
also open to hotel guests, who pay visitor
rates in order to make use of it. ZEMA
has recently purchased the golf course
properties from the original developer and
now leases the property to Zimbali Country
Club, which remains a separate entity to
ZEMA although the two entities work very
closely with one another.
There are three methods by which members
pay levies to ZEMA, being an upfront
payment for 12 months, which receives a
five percent discount, comprising 18 percent
of their levy base, a debit order system,
comprising 38 percent, and the balance
being EFT or other payment methods, being
44 percent.
In foresight of the overwhelming response
by owners to short-term lease their homes,
ZEMA approved a short-term booking policy
the addition of a sea-facing viewing deck for members and set up a Welcome Centre
and an enhanced restaurant, and, due to at the ZEMA office, which is situated outside
its popularity, is currently undergoing a the estate and provides ease of access for
further upgrade to increase the foot traffic guests. In total Zimbali has 227 listed rental
capacity of this facility. At the height of properties. A short-term rental booking fee