Sun International has broken ground on the R295 million expansion of its Sun Vacation Club at Sun City.
The group’s first significant expansion at Sun City since The Aviary (its second accommodation offering) in 2004, Lefika Villas will comprise of 48 three-bedroom villas and 10 four-bedroom villas with the capacity to accommodate 400 additional guests – with a resort pool, family restaurant and kid’s play area.
All villas will be equipped with a closed combustion fireplace, an outdoor entertainment deck with a braai and an entertainment area, with views overlooking the Pilanesberg mountain range.
“We are experiencing significant demand for Sun Vacation Club accommodation at Sun City and this expansion will help satisfy this demand. We are confident that this development will achieve above market returns,” commented Sun International’s CEO, Anthony Leemin.
The name, ‘Lefika Villas’, which means ‘stone’ in the local Setswana language, pays homage to the adjacent stone-walled Itlholanoga heritage site – the real ‘lost city’ of the greater Sun City resort. The settlement is located on the northern face of the hill overlooking the entire valley and is a reminder of the proud Setswana heritage. The site is rated as a level five for historic significance and is a designated provincial heritage site.
Sun International has enlisted the assistance of leading archaeological and heritage experts, including Wits Archaeology Professor Mandy Esterhuyzen, who is also the Director of the Origins centre at Wits. Professor Esterhuysen will assist with the management and preservation of this and surrounding historical heritage sites.
As part of the development, there will be the inclusion of surrounding communities in upliftment and skills transfer projects, with a stipulated 30% build value to be allocated to local contractors.
Leeming said that other equally exciting upgrades are underway and are being planned for Sun City. The most immediate of these is a complete R208 million refresh of The Palace of The Lost City, which will be completed in November when the Hotel celebrates its 30th birthday and will now have its own Spa and gym. The exclusive Salon Privé in the famous Sun City Hotel has also been given a complete makeover and is arguably the best Privé in the country.
The addition of the Lefika Villas will increase the Sun Vacation Club at Sun City to 478 units.
