eThekwini beaches awarded Blue Flag status

TWO beaches in Durban were awarded with the full Blue Flag status on Tuesday, 6 October for being among the safest, cleanest and well-maintained in South Africa. This is according to the international Blue Flag programme, which also praised the city’s beaches overall.

uShaka beach and Westbrook beach received the full Blue Flag status, while uMhlanga main beach, Umgababa, Umdloti main beach, Umdloti tidal beach and Brighton beach received the pilot status flag. The pilot status is a stepping stone towards reaching the full Blue Flag status.

Mayor James Nxumalo said this is a great achievement for the city, especially around this time of the year as the festive season nears, and that it will be a positive boost for the economy. However, he condemned littering on the beaches and appeals to holiday-makers and residents to use the receptacles available. “Our beaches are consistently well-maintained, which is why they are great tourist attraction sites,” said Nxumalo.

A Blue Flag is an international award given to beaches and marinas that meet excellence in areas of cleanliness, safety and environmental standards. In South Africa, this programme is managed by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. This is South Africa’s 13th year of running for the Blue Flag and it was the first country outside Europe to join the programme.

Nxumalo also appealed to residents and holiday-makers to be responsible and keep the city and beaches clean at all times. “A positive attitude can transform the social ills and poor economic and environmental conditions in our city. It takes a concerted effort from all stakeholders to keep a city clean and we all must become ambassadors of our beautiful city.

“A clean environment leads to a positive attitude and better quality of life. This positive approach attracts investments, which enables growth and job creation,” he said.

To view the full list of Blue Flag beaches, visit www.blueflag.org.za.