Cape Town, known as the Mother City, proudly boasts some of the most magnificent beaches in the nation. The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has recently honoured this coastal gem by awarding Blue Flag status to eight of its pristine beaches, with two others receiving pilot Blue Flag recognition.
The distinguished ‘blue’ beaches are Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th Beach, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg, and Silwerstroom. Mnandi and Strandfontein have been granted the esteemed pilot Blue Flag status, signifying their commitment to meeting the high standards set by WESSA.
The attainment of Blue Flag status is no small feat, as WESSA employs a comprehensive set of 33 criteria across four vital categories to determine beach eligibility. These criteria encompass environmental education and awareness, water quality, environmental management, and safety services. Universal accessibility, efficient waste management, informative signage availability, and control of domestic animals are among the factors considered.
Despite some challenges faced by the City of Cape Town over the past year, such as power cuts at sewage pump stations due to load shedding, which resulted in sewage pollution at a few beaches, this achievement stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Recreation and Parks Department and the city as a whole.
As summer approaches, the beaches and recreational facilities of Cape Town are poised to come alive, welcoming residents and visitors alike. Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, expressed her enthusiasm for this milestone, stating, “This is a wonderful achievement for our Recreation and Parks Department, but Cape Town as a whole. A lot of hard work continues behind the scenes to ensure that we are summer-ready and that residents and visitors alike will enjoy our world-class amenities and facilities.”
Photo by Louis Smit on Unsplash