Durban - Blue flags could be flying on two Durban beaches again this year - seven years after the eThekwini Municipality pulled out of the international quality assurance programme.
uShaka Beach - and Westbrook Beach, north of the city - have been re-entered into the programme to achieve Blue Flag status. The results will be announced in October.
When Durban left the programme the Bay of Plenty, Addington, uMhlanga and North Beach all had Blue Flag status.
But, they were pulled out of the programme because of poor water and sand quality and sub-standard amenities.
The finger was pointed at then city manager Mike Sutcliffe who was quoted as defiantly saying the Blue Flag system was found on relatively few beaches in few countries and did not apply to the major tourism destinations and economies of the world.
He later welcomed the city’s decision to reintroduce the programme.
Spearheading the comeback for the prestigious international award that shows the beaches meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards is councillor Geoff Pullan.
Municipal spokeswoman, Tozi Mthethwa, said the city had returned to the international programme two years ago when they applied for pilot status for five beaches. This was compulsory before Blue Flag status could be granted.
The final application was made for these two as “they are our best chance”, said Pullan.
“It would be great for a Durban beach to be awarded Blue Flag status, this would cement Durban’s position as the beach capital of the country,” he said.
Mthethwa said they were anxiously awaiting the outcome, which would assure international tourists of standards. “For example, that the E coli levels are at an acceptable standard, that there are ablution facilities available, etc.”
Pullan said the eThekwini Municipality had resigned from the award in 2008 under the previous city administration because, “our water quality was just not up to scratch”.
Instead of fixing the problems, the city bosses at the time had chosen to resign from the Blue Flag programme, he said.
The Blue Flag programme is managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA.
Wessa’s programme leader, Vincent Shacks, said a national jury would assess the applications received, including the ones from KwaZulu-Natal, and make a decision by month-end.
However, the final say would come from a jury at the international Blue Flag programme and would be announced on October 6.
The application included water samples, which are assessed for consistent excellent quality, as well as environmental education and information, environmental management and safety and security, said Shacks.
Mthethwa said the municipality had put in place the identified criterion, including regular water quality readings by independent assessors, signage, and the relevant education programmes.
Daily News