9 KZN beaches score Blue Flag status

BLUE Flag status has been awarded to nine KwaZulu-Natal beaches.

Seven beaches are in the Ray Nkonyeni district along the South Coast and two are in the eThekwini Municipality. Pilot Blue Flag status was granted to seven beaches under the KwaDukuza and eThekwini municipalities.

The provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs said that for a beach to be awarded this status it had to meet stringent criteria set by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa and Blue Flag, with regard to water quality, environmental management, safety and security, environmental education and information.

“For nine beaches in KZN to make the cut is ample proof that our strategy of enhancing the status of our province as a world-class tourism destination that upholds the highest standards is paying dividends,” said Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala. The Blue Flag beaches are:

Ray Nkonyeni – Marina, Trafalgar, Lucien, Southport, uMzumbe, Hibberdene and Ramsgate.

Ethekwini – uShaka and Westbrook.