DEVMCO GROUP: Devmco’s Precision & Purpose to Unleash KZN Potential

On the East Coast, away from the glare of the city and overlooking the Indian Ocean, a major new development is emerging from a former sugarcane plantation as Devmco brings a headline project to life. North of Durban, set among coastal forest and under the warm sun of KwaZulu-Natal, this expansive new precinct is a direct investment into the future of the region, and it is already very promising. Beautiful beaches, fantastic infrastructure, and well-connected—it’s all about the location says Devmco Commercial Director, Brad Winstanley.

“You simply cannot find anywhere else like this in South Africa and probably in the world.”

Devmco has already made its mark in the area, with completed projects including OceanDune, Pebble Beach, Gold Coast Estate, Marine Walk Shopping Centre, and Innova Haus among other projects. This has resulted in one of the best performing precincts in the country. Residential, retail, commercial are all focus areas for the company, but right now the major Sibaya Precinct venture is where the team is busy.

Connecting previous projects, this master plan will see significant investment into the local economy, reinforcing the Sibaya property market as a hotspot for the nation.

Devmco, now the master developer, is set to invest R5 billion into the development, which was originally owned by Tongaat Hulett. Building on its track record of transforming the corridor between uMhlanga and King Shaka International Airport into a thriving, modern district, Devmco’s vision will further enhance this prime location between the N2 and KwaZulu-Natal’s pristine coastline. Over the next five years, the project is expected to generate more than 70,000 direct and indirect jobs, with 12,000 permanent employment opportunities, cementing its role as a major driver of economic growth in the region.

Devmco’s investment goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about uplifting local communities. A key focus of the development is employing people from the surrounding areas, ensuring that those who call this region home directly benefit from its growth. Through structured skills transfer programs, workers will gain valuable expertise in construction, infrastructure development, and various trade skills, creating long-term employment prospects. This commitment not only strengthens the local workforce but also fosters economic empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on the broader community.

Winstanley explains that Devmco is home to an extraordinary team that boasts a deep understanding of all the key industry foundations. 50 people directly employed and more than 200 professionals on hand to deliver specialised services at any given time—all located in the same building—allows for agility and a speed of decision-making that others do not have.

“We have a great mixed set of skills and experience,” he says, detailing that key partners were all offered space in Devmco headquarters at Innova Haus when it was completed in 2022. Here, electrical engineers and structural engineers sit alongside planning, finance, legal, marketing, and sales, pioneering the journey for each project. “It’s a unique proposition in the SA market to have all these individuals that unlock opportunities under one roof, all innovating together.”

A MAJOR MILESTONE

Development is underway in the Sibaya Precinct project that will tie previous projects together and Winstanley says that the end goal is a privately-managed destination that is open to all, with amenities and services to suit the modern family and forward-thinking business, in a natural setting like nowhere else.

“Right now, we are planning the next phase,” he explains. “We are focusing on a destination retail centre which will tie into what we have at Marine Walk that has been a great success. We are closing deals with brands that have not had a presence in KZN before and some flagship brands that are looking to come in. It’s a very exciting scheme that will be great for our residents and very attractive for destination shoppers and visitors. There will be green play areas and food and beverage, and it all spills out into the forest network – and anyone can come and use it.”

Devmco was delighted when the OceanDune development in 2015 was taken to market and proved a resounding success. Selling out almost overnight, the mixed-use development was proof of concept for the company as it started out in KZN. Securing great tenants in the retail space, the residential units subsequently sold out before Devmco purchased the adjacent site and began developing Pebble Beach in a similar manner. Now, the team is working closely with local and municipal departments to ensure the speed of rollout.

“It’s huge for us,” Winstanley admits. “We have developed individual opportunities within the Sibaya region and to the north there is a mega development called Salta Sibaya where we are the master developer – a mixed-use scheme with a 10,000m² retail space and a mega residential estate which will ultimately have 1000 homes.”

Across the large tract of land, Devmco is aiming for a mixed-use development that is best-in-class. This is achieved through respect for nature, working with the best partners in the country, and understanding the local flavour and vision.

“We want to create something that is a centre of excellence in KZN and will hold up against any major mixed-use development in the world,” says Winstanley. “We have the benefit of 360 hectares of lush coastal forest that runs down to the ocean, and we are the custodians of the conservation trust that cares for them. We will preserve more than 60% of the green areas for conservation or park use, and it’s all part of a radical vision that is coming to light. It incorporates existing residential and commercial schemes that we are taking to market. It’s close to the airport, it’s close to uMhlanga town centre, and it links everything that one could ever need in a mixed-use precinct.”

Devmco acquired the project from Tongaat Hulett after the corporate announced business rescue status in October 2022. Devmco became the master developer in November 2024 and was the obvious choice being located on site, having already spent around R6 billion on projects across the region.

COLLABORATION IS VITAL

Winstanley, a former banker, works closely with seasoned developer and Director Charles Thompson, Development Director Stuart Meyer, Managing Director Schalk Theunissen, and Finance Director Paul Fay to ensure end-to-end control over projects and quality. This, alongside strong partnerships, iconic location and flat organisational structure makes for a successful recipe.

“Collaboration is vital in solving challenges, and that is what property development is all about. Partnership goes beyond just professionals – it’s about partnering with the city and local municipality. Our projects tend to be catalytic with the scale and impact they have on the local environment. We work very closely with the city to unlock services and infrastructure which is critical to converting Greenfields to fully-fledged and functioning mixed-use precincts.”

Financially, the investment in Sibaya has been validated by strong performance from Devmco. The company remains well-capitalised and has thrived through a period that has seen others suffer.

“The market has come through a challenging environment – worldwide things have been challenging. We are now starting to see green shoots with the slight lowering of interest rates,” says Winstanley. “As a sector, we have seen robust growth and demand in the gated and secure precinct market over the last five years, despite economic challenges. We took Salta Sibaya to market and we achieved over R1 billion on launch, and that shows that the right development in the right area will be successful, and that is exciting.”

Devmco’s destination focus, and access to prime real estate with subtropical, mild weather and warm ocean, is turning heads. The Sibaya Precinct is thriving with new amenities being brought to life, and Winstanley concludes that while the company is still on the start of a longer journey, the team is perfectly placed to deliver on its vision. 

“Because of the speed we can execute at, we are able to capitalise on opportunity we identify, within the current property cycle. Too often, schemes take so long to get off the ground and where an opportunity has been identified the property cycle has moved on and the opportunity has been missed. If you can execute quickly, you have a very good chance of success. Our teams are motivated, and we can bring things to market where there is current demand,” he closes.

On completion, this project will be a beacon for the South African property development industry, and a sustainable value adding infrastructural asset for KZN – something which is so often in such short supply.