World Oceans Day celebrated with huge cleanup

THE Department of Environmental Affairs launched their new cycle of the Working for the Coast (WFTC) project on Friday, during the World Oceans Day celebrations in Durban at the Umgeni River Mouth (Blue Lagoon estuary and beach.

The WFTC programme is one of the DEA's Expanded Public Works projects (EPWP) which is implemented to to clean and rehabilitate the coastline, while creating jobs and skills development in coastline communities. The launch introduced the Working for the Coast project cycle which will run for two years, covering the entire South African Coastline, from Alexandra Bay to Kosi Bay.

“These projects generate approximately 2407 work opportunities and 5526 full time opportunities over two years and has manged to employ thousands of unemployed youth while giving them non accredited and accredited training,” DEA spokesman Zolile Nqayi said. He added that since it's inception, the programme has had numerous achievements, including beaches awarded Blue Flag status, availability of beach facilities, creation of access to pristine beaches and a well conserved coastline.

The Department also hosted the eventful beach clean up in celebration of World Oceans Day, which had dignitaries, DEA officials, community members and and schools participate. Ten-year-old 58 Air Cub Scout, Eric Shutte also participated in the clean up to gain his World Conservation and Environmental badges. “It was a fun day, everyone was very busy cleaning the beach with me,” he said holding a large bag full of plastics he collected.