[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, today launched the South African Blue Flag Campaign in Durban as part of the National Marine Week celebrations, which have been taking place since 15 October 2001.

This Blue Flag Campaign involves a prestigious annual award to beaches that conform to international standards such as safety, environmental and tourist friendliness, cleanliness and visible security.

"South Africa is the first country, outside Europe, to be awarded this status. This is indeed an outstanding achievement, noting that countries in the Caribbean, Canada, Russia, Australia and others have also been aspiring to this status," said Mabudafhasi as she expressed her pride at this initiative. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism worked closely with the international Foundation for Environmental Education and South African municipalities over the last five years to make this possible.

In South Africa, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) will be acting as the national operator of the Blue Flag Campaign, presently funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. This is in line with the international Foundation for Environmental Education's requirements that gives membership only to independent non-governmental organisations to manage Blue Flag initiatives in their respective countries. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is expected to work closely with WESSA in implementing the Blue Flag Campaign.

The Blue Flag Campaign is one of a number of current projects that form part of the implementation of the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development to ensure socio-economic development and improved coastal livelihoods through better management of marine and coastal-related resources in South Africa.

The Deputy Minister also indicated that regulations on the usage of 4x4 vehicles on beaches have been completed and will be presented to Cabinet before promulgation. An announcement in this regard will be made in due course.

Visit the Blue Flag website for more details on the Blue Flag Campaign.

Contact: JP Louw at 082 468-3401/(012) 310-3596

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 19 October 2001