The South Coast - Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom

Five SA Beaches Fly the Blue Flag

FIVE beaches in South Africa have become the first outside of Europe to fly the prestigious international Blue Flags - which have become synonymous with high international standards of cleanliness, safety and beauty. This was announced at a function held to celebrate SA's National Marine Day in Durban last week by Deputy-Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabuddafhasi. The five beaches - Willard Beach in Ballito Bay (KwaZulu-Natal), South Beach, Durban (KZN), Margate's Main Beach (KZN), Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) Look Out Beach, Plettenberg Bay (Western Cape) - will fly the flag for a full season, which lasts for a year and officially starts on November 1. Another beach, Hermanus' Grotto Beach on the Western Cape did not make the grade but was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the group of SA and international judges. The beach will be up for Blue Flag status again next year, together with between 10 to 15 other beaches, says Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Deat) spokesperson, Dr Niel Malan He told TNN that the beaches participating in the Blue Flag Campaign could have their status revoked at any time should they not uphold the same standards. Mabudhafhasi also announced that the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) will be acting as the national operator of the Blue Flag Campaign. Canada, Australia, Russia and countries in the Caribbean have also applied to form part of the Blue Flag Campaign.

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