OPINION: Can Port Edward please have a Blue Flag beach?
"It is possible to be awarded interim Blue flag status while we make sure we qualify?"
Port Edward is the last town in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) before the traveller crosses over the river and goes into the Eastern Cape. This little town can be charming and attractive and has been a tourist trap in the past, with great fishing and a beautiful beach, wonderful natural beauty and adventure holidays – plus a casino close by.
Port Edward suffered, even before Covid, because of the depressed economy, and Covid damaged us mightily. As we were starting to recover from the dreadful effects of lockdown, we were the worst looted town in RNM during the violence of July 2021.
In its annual report it is noted that Ray Nkonyeni aims to achieve Blue Flag status for a new beach every year. Port Edward already has permanent lifeguards, which is one of the criteria, public safety also gives us good support over weekends which keeps the parking area orderly, so we are a long way down the road.
It is possible to be awarded interim Blue flag status while we make sure we qualify?
Please RNM, can Port Edward have a Blue Flag beach?
This will give the area a much needed ‘shot in the arm’ to revive our tourism and create a better economy with more work opportunities.
We are currently circulating a petition and gathering hundreds of signatures to reinforce our request.
We can also be a real asset to RNM, the ‘game changer of the South Coast’.
STEPHANIE BREEDT
Ward 1 Councillor
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