The Overstrand Municipality is exceptionally proud that five of its beaches – Grotto, Hawston, Onrus, Kleinmond and Castle Beach in Pearly Beach – are among the 51 South African beaches that have been accredited this season (2022-’23) to display the Blue Flag.
The accreditation is awarded for one season at a time, and if conditions deteriorate at the beach it can be withdrawn.
Of the 51 beaches awarded Blue Flags last week, 33 are in the Western Cape, nine in KwaZulu-Natal and nine in the Eastern Cape.
In South Africa, the Blue Flag programme is managed by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) and the programme offers many benefits such as improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, educational awareness programmes and excellent water-quality standards and facilities.
Overstrand Municipality’s MMC for Community Services Councillor Ronald Nutt, and Roderick Williams, Director of Community Services, attended this year’s annual National Blue Flag Launch in Plettenberg Bay on Thursday 3 November on behalf of the municipality.
“We are super proud that we have retained our Blue Flag status, as it is international confirmation that our beaches are not just beautiful and safe but also environmentally friendly,” said Nutt.
“We try and keep our facilities in good condition to welcome tourists to our towns during the summer season.”
At the launch Wessa’s CEO, Helena Atkinson, paid tribute to the municipal authorities whose beaches qualified for Blue Flag status.
She said South Africa is proud to be one of 48 countries implementing this internationally recognised eco-label. There are now more than 5 000 Blue Flag beaches, marinas and tourism boats around the world.
One of the key challenges over the past season included sewerage-related issues, which can often result in water quality sample failures.
Water quality is an important factor in retaining a beach’s Blue Flag status, because only excellent bathing water quality is accepted.
Unfortunately, some beaches have fallen out of the programme due to non-compliant water quality after the devastating floods in KZN.
Atkinson said Wessa is committed to working closely with these municipalities to help address the root cause of the issue and get those sites back on the programme in order to achieve excellent swimming water standards that are safe for both South Africans and international tourists.
Grotto’s Blue Flag status will start from 1 December until 31 March 2023. In the case of Hawston, Onrus, Kleinmond and Castle beaches, this status will come into effect on 1 December through to 22 January 2023. No pets will be allowed on Blue Flag-beaches for the duration, and the consumption and/or possession of any alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in all public areas including beaches.
Lifesaving and security services will be fully operational for the duration of the holiday season on the Blue Flag beaches.
Struisbaai Beach in the Cape Agulhas Municipal area also received Blue Flag status.
