Four prestigious Blue Flags
Following Friday's national WESSA Blue Flag launch hosted in Mossel Bay, four local beaches will proudly be flying the Blue Flag.
A total of 66 Blue Flags will be flown proudly at 46 beaches, eight marinas and by 12 sustainable tourism boats during the coming 2018/19 South African Blue Flag season, which opens officially on 1 November.
Local beaches receiving the coveted Blue Flag status are De Bakke, Litte Brak, Hartenbos, and although not part of the initial list, it was also bestowed on Santos Beach as Friday's (12 October) formalities unfolded.
Added to the local Blue Flag portfolio is pilot status for Glentana Beach.
The Western Cape has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites, with 30 beaches, 12 boats and seven of the eight Blue Flag marinas. The Eastern Cape has been awarded one Blue Flag Marina site and retained its seven beaches.
KwaZulu-Natal has been awarded nine Blue Flag beaches.
This year 24 beaches across three provinces have been awarded pilot Blue Flag status.
Speaking at the event, the national Department of Tourism's director of Programme Planning and Implementation, Patience Molokoza, said: “Through programmes like the Tourism Blue Flag Beach Stewards implemented by WESSA, we can address the issue of South Africa’s youth unemployment.
"This programme is meant to capacitate the youth and provide skills training and development. Programmes like these would not be possible if it were not for partnerships with municipalities.
“The Blue Flag project has a number of highlights. We have managed to educate and train more than 14 000 people over a period of two years and we applaud WESSA for its involvement in this programme,” she continued.
Since its launch in 1987, the Blue Flag programme has continued to grow, not only regarding the number of member countries and sites involved but also in its range of expertise within marine and freshwater environments.
In his opening address, Mossel Bay deputy mayor Councillor Dirk Kotzé said: "As the town of Mossel Bay, we are honoured to host the launch of the new Blue Flag season and as the Mossel Bay council, we see the importance of local tourists and we try to keep our facilities in good condition to welcome tourists to our shores during the summer seasons.
"We always try to maintain our facilities and one of our top priorities is to maintain our Blue Flag status because it is a wellrespected award that takes educational, environmental and cultural value of the beach into account, ensuring that each Blue Flag beach is not only beautiful and safe but also environmentally friendly and socially responsible.”
The event was hosted by the Mossel Bay Municipality. Several other roleplayers provided sponsorship for catering needs and goodie bags handed out to the guests. These include Santos Express, Mossel Bay Tourism, Garden Route Municipality, RNA George, Media24, WESSA and the Mossel Bay Advertiser.
Local beaches receiving the coveted Blue Flag status are De Bakke, Litte Brak, Hartenbos, and although not part of the initial list, it was also bestowed on Santos Beach.