Amanzimtoti Main Beach is a few checks away from possibly being award the prestigious Blue Flag Status.
The official announcement takes place on Friday, 27 November and everyone is on the edge of their seats in anticipation. A Blue Flag beach is not only a place to give a sense of pride to the community and to attract tourism, but it also promotes environmental issues and awareness. The mission of the status is to promote and participate in environmental education programmes for the users of beaches while implementing sound safety and environmental management systems. This is an addition to committed partnerships and collaborative actions in promoting the sustainable development of tourism.
As a final qualifying exercise, a mammoth community supported clean-up was held on Monday, 23 November. Officiated by ward 97 Councillor André Beetge, the cleanup was spearheaded by eThekwini Municipality Parks Department and supported by the beach management, law enforcement, DSW, Sapphire Coast Tourism, Clean Surf Project, Lions, Scouts and members of the public, was the last of a list of requirements that needed to be met by the power that be.
“A fair amount of litter was collected along the dunes heading north and south of Amanzimtoti Main Beach,” said Sapphire Coast Tourism’s Romy Wenzel. “Many thanks to all those who joined. We are looking forward to the upcoming launch that will give clarity as to which beaches will be given the Blue Flag status award for 2020/ 2021. A lot of work has gone in and the area has seen many upgrades. It was a lovely morning, filled with community support.”
Over the past decade the beach had reached pilot status twice, yet only to have the prestigious award allude it right towards the end.
“There are various requirements, with consistent water quality being of the utmost importance,” said Councillor Andre Beetge. “There are also a list of other factors that include the availability of amenities and other support to ensure that visitors enjoy a memorable experience. Clean-up operations, continued endeavours to limit outfall, upgrading amenities and ensuring that they remain of acceptable standard despite continued vandalism, are merely some examples of the challenges we faced to bring us to where we are today. None of which would have been achievable without the dedicate efforts of our community. Fingers crossed for Friday, as while many may remain sceptical or unaware what this could mean for our local economy, those in the know are super-duper excited at the prospect of playing host to possibly one of only three Blue Flag beaches in the 100km of what is eThekwini’s coastal eastern border.”
ALSO READ: Clean-up Amanzimtoti Main Beach ahead of Blue Flag announcement
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