Ten City Beaches Awarded Iconic Blue Flag Status
27 November 2020
Ten city beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) for the 2021 season.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.
In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
Beaches are measured in four categories: Environmental Education and Awareness, Water Quality, Environmental Management, and Safety Services.
The individual criteria allow for an in-depth analysis of a variety of areas of competence, including:
- Universal access (for the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children)
- Control of domestic animals (such as dogs on beaches)
- Availability of interpretive signage
- Effective waste management
Ensuring cleanliness
“The City is pleased to once again receive this recognition. Being able to retain the status of all 10 Blue Flag beaches can be attributed to the work of our environmental staff, who have ensured the quality and cleanliness of these beaches have been consistently maintained. These spaces are especially important as we head into the summer months, enabling residents to enjoy nature and the ocean, while being able to safely social distance in line with COVID-19 regulations,” said Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, said that after months of restricted movement, it is expected that more people will flock to the city’s beaches this summer.
“I urge all residents to adhere to the safety regulations when they are at our beaches and pools. We are also extremely proud that 10 of the City’s beaches once again ticked all the boxes and will be flying the flag of excellence.”
Blue Flag beaches
Blue Flag beaches in Cape Town for 2021 include:
- Bikini Beach
- Camps Bay
- Clifton fourth beach
- Fish Hoek
- Llandudno
- Melkbosstrand
- Mnandi
- Muizenberg
- Strandfontein
- Silwerstroom
Cape Town beaches were officially reopened under the national lockdown Alert Level 2, in August.
Authorities have urged beachgoers to swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty, between the red and yellow flags, and to adhere to all safety protocols.
“Although it has been an extraordinary and challenging year, we know that if we work together these challenges can be overcome. Caring for our beaches is a shared responsibility and I would like to request everyone who visits our beaches to assist officials in keeping them clean, to adhere strictly to the safety protocols and to report any anti-social behaviour,” added Cllr Badroodien.
