Editor
A FEW years back, the provincial government instructed coastal municipalities to participate in the Blue Flag beaches scheme. Our eThekwini Municipality, with the full backing of councillors from all political parties, was keen and applied for pilot status to rejoin Blue Flag. This year the closing date to apply for Full Blue Flag status is 31 May, so we have seven weeks for officials to get our applications in. (Beaches have to be Pilot Blue Flag for at least a year before they can apply for Full Blue Flag Status.)
Our present pilot Blue Flag beaches are: Umgababa, Ushaka, Umdloti Tidal Pool, Umdloti Marine Reserve as well as Anstey’s, Umhlanga Main Beach and Westbrook Beach.
These seven beaches cover eThekwini from south to central to north – so the public will have a Blue Flag beach within easy reach along our 98 kilometres of coastline.
The Blue Flag rules are quite onerous, but at least the public will know that these Durban beaches are strictly managed and monitored. This will put our tourist city back to where it should be.
Geoff Pullan
