Blue flag for Alkantstrand

GOOD news for Richards Bay beach lovers – Alkantstrand has become the only beach in northern KwaZulu-Natal to fly the prestigious blue flag for a second consecutive year.

Joining Trafalgar, Umzumbe, Southport, Marina and Lucien beaches on the Hibiscus coast, the Bay beach is the only stretch of coastline north of Durban to achieve full blue flag accreditation for the 2013/14 season.

The announcement was made at Ramsgate on Tuesday.

With Alkantstrand being the only shark-protected beach north of the Tugela River visited by thousands of bathers throughout the year, the news was welcomed by uMhlathuze City officials on Wednesday.

‘For the municipality, this is an excellent marketing tool as our local beach meets international standards.

The application for blue flag status was made in June and we are happy we were able to maintain the status and provide better services to people,’ said uMhlathuze Director: Parks Board and Recreational Services, Ernst van Biljon.

Fears of a possible oil spillage following the grounding of the MV Smart in Richards Bay earlier this year also did not affect the granting of Alkantstrand’s accreditation.

‘Many tourists choose blue flag beaches as holiday destinations with the assurance of safety and cleanliness. This will definitely help boost tourism for the City,’ added Chief Sport, Recreation and Amenities Officer, Shakir Hiraman.

Blue flag status is an international annual award given only to those beaches that meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental management. The exclusive eco-label is valid for one year at a time and will run from 1 November to 1 November 2014.

The blue flag sites this year include 41 beaches, five marinas and several pilot status beaches.

KZN beaches to receive pilot blue flag status included Ramsgate, Umdloti main beach, Umdloti tidal pool beach, uShaka and uMgababa beaches.

The programme is managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and participating coastal authorities under the department’s Coast Care programme.

The criteria are set by the international Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe.

9 OCTOBER 2013

GOOD news for Bay beach lovers – Alkantstrand has become the only beach in northern KwaZulu-Natal to fly the prestigious Blue Flag for a second consecutive year.

Joining Trafalgar, Umzumbe, Southport, Marina and Lucien beaches on the Hibiscus coast, the Bay beach is the only stretch of coastline north of Durban to achieve full Blue Flag accreditation for the 2013/14 season.
The announcement was made at the official launch of the Blue Flag Beach Season at Ramsgate Beach on the KZN South Coast on Tuesday.
With Alkantstrand being the only shark-protected beach north of the Tugela River visited by thousands of bathers throughout the year, the news was welcomed by uMhlathuze City officials on Wednesday.

Blue Flag status is an international annual award given only to those beaches that meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental management.
The programme is managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and participating coastal authorities under the department’s Coast Care programme.