November 29, 2011. KwaDukuza Municipality Mayor Ricardo Mthembu announced at COP17 today that, together with ICCIT and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), they would be introducing the internationally recognised Blue Flag programme to the KZN north coast.
In the picture: iLembe District Municipal Manager Mike Newton, KwaDukuza Mayor Ricardo Mthembu, Councillor Sdudla Mhlonga, Councillor Ann McDonnell. Back (from left to right) Speaker of the KwaDukuza Municipality, Thulani Khuluse, CEO of Wildlands Conservation Trust, Dr Andrew Venter, South African Director, Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, Peter Willis, and Trenley Tilbrook (CEO, iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism)
Mayor Mthembu said, “Our beaches are a very important tourism asset. As our organisation grows we must engage programmes that resonate with this growth. It is also important, in the quest for sustainable development that we engage in sound environmental management programmes which provide environmental education to communities, so that future generations also benefit from our natural resources. The partnership with our stakeholders in this project is very important for the attainment of our Vision 2030.”
Blue Flag status is awarded to beaches that comply with the Blue Flag criteria through a rigorous application and selection process, both nationally and abroad. Criteria include sound environmental management, environmental education initiatives, safety and security for beach users and healthy bathing water quality.
ICCIT CEO Trenley Tilbrook said, “The Blue Flag programme will augment the north coast’s ranking as a top domestic and international tourist destination. Once the programme is fully in place, north coast residents and tourists will rest assured that our beaches are clean, safe and environmentally friendly.”
Willard’s Beach in Ballito is on track to be the first to receive Blue Flag status, but will firstly enter a one-year trial “pilot phase”. This will involve receiving the necessary infrastructure and services that a full status Blue Flag beach requires. Tilbrook added that the rest of the Blue Flags will be rolled out once Willard’s Beach has received its full status.
The Blue Flag programme originated in France in 1985 and has developed over the years to include 3 650 beaches in 46 countries around the world. The South African Blue Flag programme is run by WESSA.