Southern Sun to fork out R1bn to retain iconic Durban beachfront hotels

Hotel giant Southern Sun has been awarded a 50-year extension by the eThekwini municipality on its lease agreement for the lucrative Maharani and Elangeni hotels on Durban’s beach front thanks to a promise of a R1bn investment. Mayor Cyril Xaba confirmed the deal during a media briefing at the hotel’s Sky Venue on Friday.In November last year the city said Southern Sun’s 60-year lease would expire in 2025 and it wanted to evaluate new bids in keeping with its strategy to revitalise Durban’s promenade.The city said at the time it was inviting proposals from the private sector to…