No Blue Flag for uMhlanga and eMdloti beaches

UMHLANGA and eMdltoi Beaches would have met Blue Flag approval if renovations on the respective beaches was complete at the time of assessment. However, all hope is not lost as both beaches were given a pilot status, giving the City a year to meet the criteria of the internationally recognised programme. This was announced last week by Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa at the Dolphins Beach, in the Eastern Cape.

The Blue Flag programme has been in operation since 1987 and according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, is the most well-known eco-label of its kind. It is an international annual award which focuses on the environmental management of coastline and coastal waters to help tourism growth and development.

Although it is a voluntary eco-label, the Blue Flag has become an international symbol of quality for beaches, boats and marinas that meet a standard of excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and environmental management.

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Two other beaches with reason to celebrate was Ushaka and Westbrook beaches, who retained their Blue Flag status. In all, 44 beaches across the country secured the status.

Speaking to Northglen News, Xasa said she attributed the achievement to the Department’s Blue Flag Beach Steward project, which places young people on these beaches to maintain their Blue Flag standards. She also weighed in on the status for uMhlanga.

“uMhlanga Beach could have met the requirements to be awarded Blue Flag Status were it not for the renovations currently taking place on the popular beach. If the renovations taking place at the beach were complete at the time of the assessment, it probably would have met with their approval,” she said.

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