Pilot blue flag status for Umgababa beach

UMGABABA beach is the only beach on the Upper South Coast to receive a pilot status flag via the Blue Flag programme.

On Tuesday, 6 October the Blue Flag programme announced uShaka and Westbrook beaches were awarded full Blue Flag status.

However, 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. With the busy festive season approaching, it will be a positive boost for the economy.

Nxumalo also condemned littering on city beaches and appealed to holidaymakers and residents to use the receptacles provided and become responsible for their waste and the environment.

“Our beaches are consistently well maintained, which is why they are great tourist attraction sites,” he said.

A Blue Flag is an international award given to beaches, boats 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 the Blue Flag programme and the first country outside Europe to join in.

“A positive attitude can transform social ills, 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. This positive approach attracts investments, which enables growth and job creation,” said Nxumalo.

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