12 eThekwini beaches awarded Blue Flag status

uShaka, Durban North, Point, Amanzimtoti and uMhlanga Main were the five beaches to receive full Blue Flag status while seven received a Blue Flag pilot status. Those beaches are South Beach Central, Umgababa, Umdloti Tidal, Westbrook, Ansteys and Brighton.

According to the city, the commitment to increase the number of Blue Flag beaches indicates that it is moving in the right direction to ensure that the environment is adequately managed.

This also means the status encourages and attracts domestic and international tourism to the city’s biggest tourist attraction – the shores. Safer and clean beaches are a drawcard for tourists.

It is for this reason the city is committed to the conservation of the environment particularly the ocean.

MEC of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ravi Pillay said, “It is no secret that South Africa is home to some of the best beaches in the world, with KwaZulu-Natal arguably enjoying many of the very best. The Blue Flag attribute goes hand-in-glove with our idyllic sub-tropical climate and year-round sunny weather, making KZN the ideal beach holiday destination, nationally and, of course, globally.”

Pillay said the province’s economic recovery plan places tourism as one of the top three priorities, therefore making golden beaches essential for enhancing tourism which also activates the recovery plan.

Mayor cllr Mxolisi Kaunda said, “eThekwini has over 100 km of coastline with tourism attractions and the busiest port in the continent. Therefore, the city’s coastal line has a huge economic benefit not only for the city but for the entire continent.”

He added that the city will also continue to undertake water quality tests in all its beaches, over and above the Blue Flag sites. He said the city has a duty to continue to preserve this important resource by keeping it clean.

“This is particularly important as the world is facing challenges of climate change,” Kaunda added.

Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa (WESSA) Blue Flag Programme manager Cindy-Lee Cloete said the most effective way to protect the environment especially the beaches is through embarking on awareness campaigns.

“The goal is to achieve 100 Blue Flag Status by 2030, currently the country has 58 full status blue flag beaches out of 77 sites in total.”