Ruwaad's challenges in Africa

Inkosi Khayelihle Mathaba, Tribal Chief of the Macambini says his people don't want to leave their ancestral land in eMacambini, located about 150 kilometres north of Durban. 15 December 2008. Photo by Rajesh Jantilal

is not a particularly well-known developer in the UAE, but lately you can find their posters all around Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Most of them quote Walt Disney...

Their biggest project, Amazulu World, is planned for South Africa. If it gets built it will be the largest recreation and entertainment complex in the continent. But the company has been running into problems with the local Zulu farmers who live on the land where they want to build. At one point, protesters even blocked a major highway and threw rocks at passing cars.

We detailed the challenges here and here.

Earlier this week, the Independent newspaper of South Africa wrote a story saying that the developer has expressed concern to the government because its memorandum of understanding is expiring in a few weeks. Hayan Merchant, Ruwaad's chief executive, declined to comment when I called him just now.

But it would seem that the project is really getting to a crucial stage. Watch this space for updates.

Aerial view of the land after the jump ...

December, 2008 - An aerial photo of the Amazulu site near Durban, South Africa. Courtesy Ruwaad