US hospitality group, Glitzy is promoting a $800 million (R1.5 billion) grand edutainment facility on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. On completion, the facility will have 6 see-through tourist submarines, underwater restaurants and nightclubs, and a 17000-seat amphitheatre for live music performances.

While explaining the concept behind “Music City, SA” at the South African Maritime Industry Conference in Cape Town, the president and CEO of Glitzy, Toney Watkins, described the Aquamusical Experience as a two-part project.

According to him, there will be a music-themed hotel, conference centre and retail area on the shore; while offshore, there will be a 60m-long, twin-hulled platform known as the Mother Ship that will be moored with the “all-acrylic” submarines docking between the hulls.

South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) is a partner in the project. Its CEO, Tsietsi Mokhele said South Africa’s maritime sector is filled with overlooked tourism opportunities.

He also added that the project could create jobs and stimulate economic activities; he spoke at an investment conference hosted by Samsa.