It is no secret that the North Coast is home to a collection of breathtaking beaches which have attracted sun-seeking tourists and sea-searching surfers for decades.
Now, after seven years of hibernation, four KwaDukuza beaches are being recognised once again having been awarded pilot Blue Flag status.
Willard, Salt Rock, Blythedale and Zinkwazi have been selected to join the international beach excellence scheme, which seeks to establish and maintain the highest standards of beauty, hygiene and environmental management.
In order to qualify for full Blue Flag status, a series of strict criteria have to be met. Beaches are expected to uphold environmental management strategies such as the provision of bins for litter disposal, regular supervision to ensure the beach stays litter-free, as well as the provision and maintenance of clean toilet and restroom facilities.
The criteria also states that all natural vegetation on the beach should be left there, and that the health of offshore ecosystems like coral reefs should be monitored. Water quality checks must also be done in order to ensure the beach is free of contamination from sewage or industrial waste and that the ocean is in a clean and healthy condition.
The beaches’ safety features are also important for Blue Flag status. For example, a supply of drinking water should be made available to beach users, an adequate number of lifeguards and lifesaving facilities should be present for bather protection, as well as first-aid equipment in the event of an incident.
What does all of this mean for beach users? KwaDukuza municipal beach manager, Steve Honeysett believes we will see a vast improvement overall.
“Blue Flag status will really raise the standard of our beaches, so beach users can expect improved facilities and cleaner beaches,” said Honeysett.
Other North Coast beaches selected to receive this trial status include Ethekwini’s Umhlanga and Umdloti beaches and Mandeni’s Dokodweni South beach.
There are a total of 39 Blue Flag beaches nationwide, with 19 of them in KwaZulu-Natal. In order to further grow the initiative, the department of tourism and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) have partnered up to create sustainable jobs at Blue Flag beaches across the country.
