I am proud to be South African when I see how hard the country is trying to be responsible with its tourism.
Tourism is one of the main sources of revenue for the country now and of course it is one of the main sources of job creation. South Africa is determined to keep it that way. Great care is taken in the preservation of the national parks and its abundant wildlife.
The Kruger National Park is a fine example where local communities and nature can combine and live in harmony. The local communities are taught extra skills and many of them are employed by the South African National Parks board as either game rangers, animal trackers, anti poachers and general maintenance staff. Every time money is spent in the Kruger National Park, a percentage of the money goes back into ensuring the continued preservation of our natural legacy and the growth and development of the local communities.
Now the country is turning its attention to another of our fabulous natural resources. Our beaches. 29 of South Africa’s most outstanding beaches have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag. Fantastic!
This is a great badge of honour for beaches that excel in safety, cleanliness, the provision of good amenities and high maintenance of environmental standards. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to meet the rigorous standards set by the international Blue Flag board, but thanks to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa who manage the beaches, we did it! South Africa first joined The Blue Flag scheme which was started in 1985 in France as a way to ensure good sewerage treatment and safe clean bathing water prevailed, in 2001 aware that responsible tourism was the way forward. That year it was awarded 4 Blue Flags. We have come a long way since then and we will continue to go a long way in the future!
The Blue Flag beaches for 2009/10 are:
EASTERN CAPE
- Boknes Beach, near Port Alfred
- Dolphin Beach, Jeffrey's Bay
- Gonubie Beach, East London
- Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth
- Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth
- Kariega Beach, Kenton-on-Sea
- Kelly's Beach, Port Alfred
- Robberg 5 Beach, Plettenberg Bay
- Wells Estate, north of Port Elizabeth
KWAZULU-NATAL
- Alkantstrand Beach, Richards Bay
- Margate Beach, south coast
- Marina/San Lameer Beach, south coast
- Ramsgate Beach, south coast
- Trafalgar Beach, south coast
NORTHERN CAPE
- McDougalls Bay Beach, Port Nolloth
WESTERN CAPE
- Big Bay, Bloubergstrand Beach, Cape Town
- Bikini Beach, Gordon's Bay
- Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town
- Clifton 4th Beach, Cape Town
- Grotto Beach, Hermanus
- Hartenbos Beach, Mossel Bay
- Hawston Beach, near Hermanus
- Kleinmond Beach, near Hermanus
- Lappiesbaai Beach, Stilbaai
- Mnandi Beach, Cape Town
- Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town
- Santos Beach, Mossel Bay
- Strandfontein Beach, Cape Town
- Yzerfontein Beach, west coast
Well done South Africa and keep up the good work!
For more information contact African Sands