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There's no doubt that tourism and hospitality are major economic drivers in KZN.
And now they're getting their dues!
At the recent 2026 KZN Top Business Awards – presented by Standard Bank and Women of Africa Group in association with East Coast Radio – among the night's biggest winners were Brahman Hills (KZN Midlands), as well as KZN South Coast-based hospitality giant Beekman Group.
Hosted at the Durban International Convention Centre, the annual awards brought together business leaders from across KZN to celebrate organisations driving innovation, creating jobs, and making a meaningful impact on the provincial economy.
KZN Top Business CEO Grant Adlam explained: "The businesses we celebrate are not only building successful organisations; they are creating jobs, driving innovation and inspiring others to dream bigger. It is a privilege to honour leaders who are helping shape a stronger, more prosperous future for KwaZulu-Natal."
READ: Durban's iconic Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani undergoes R250-million refurbishment
Brahman Hills earns back-to-back sustainability honours
For the second consecutive year, Brahman Hills earned the Renewable Efficiency & Green Initiatives Award - a nod to the practical initiatives implemented across the estate.
Some of these include:
- Operating 85% off-grid through solar energy, saving an estimated 477 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Harvesting rainwater
- Recycling greywater
- Composting organic waste
- Planting more than 1 500 trees
- Replacing more than 36 000 plastic water bottles with glass
Director Onwaba Gonyora said: "For us, sustainability isn't a side project. It's part of how we believe exceptional hospitality should be experienced - with care, intention and respect for the natural beauty of the Midlands."
The environmental journey continues with the development of its 22-hectare Serenity Garden, a conservation, wellness, and eco-tourism project that will include what is expected to be the world's largest labyrinth.
READ: A giant labyrinth is coming to the Midlands (possibly the world’s biggest!)
Beekman Group crowned KZN's Top Brand
One of the evening's biggest accolades went to Beekman Group - the KZN Top Brand for 2026.
As one of the country’s longest-established tourism and hospitality companies, Beekman Group manages almost 40 destinations across five countries, including beach resorts, bush lodges, mountain escapes and urban hospitality offerings.
Its portfolio includes popular destinations such as:
- Cayley Mountain Resort in the Drakensberg
- Umhlanga Cabanas in Umhlanga
- The Kingdom Resort near Pilanesberg National Park
- San Martinho Beach Club in Mozambique
- Hazyview Cabanas along Sabie River in Mpumalanga
- Kiara Lodge near Clarens in the Free State
- Dikhololo Resort outside Brits in North West Province
- Menlyn Mix in Menlyn, Pretoria
Accepting the award, Director Wayne Beekman said:
"To be recognised as KZN Top Brand is such an honour because it shows the trust that our guests, members, partners and employees continue to place in the Beekman Group. We operate in a highly competitive tourism and hospitality environment, so receiving this level of recognition among some of the industry's best really underscores our commitment to quality across every destination we manage."
READ: Radisson is bringing serviced apartments to Umhlanga
Top award-winners across KwaZulu-Natal
Ismail Simjee, CEO of Tropic Plastic & Packaging, was named KZN Top Business Leader of the Year. The Women of Africa KZN Top Business Woman of the Year award went to Adv Michelle Phillips, Group CEO of Transnet.
It’s great to see some of the province's biggest hospitality brands among the most innovative and forward-thinking businesses.
It's all great news for Durban tourism!
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