Mayor’s Speech – Blue Flag Beach Launch

BLUE FLAG BEACH 2011/2012

A warm Sunshine Coast welcome to the Deputy-Minister: Mabudafase; Mayors and Councilors of participating beaches, the National Blue Flag International Jury Chairperson, Mr Malcolm Powell; all protocols observed! Ndlambe municipality is very proud of their Blue Flag Beaches. As early as 2001 Ndlambe municipality applied for Blue Flag Status for Kelly’s Beach but after two to three years of Pilot status for Kelly’s Beach, they obtained full Blue Flag status for the 2005/6 season. At that time Ndlambe municipality hosted the National Blue Flag launch at Kelly’s Beach, Port Alfred. At the launch I was fortunate enough to hoist the Blue flag with the Deputy Minister: Ms Mabudafase and the Ndlambe Environmental Conservation team. I was standing in for the then Mayor of the municipality and in the capacity as Chief Whip of the ANC. Today I am again here as the Mayor of Ndlambe municipality. At the 2005/6 launch we indicated that we, as the Ndlambe municipality, would like to expand Blue Flag status and that Kariega Main Beach, Kenton-on-Sea, should pursue the status. After 3 pilot seasons, major lobbying convincing the residents of Kenton of the importance of a Blue Flag Beach, we obtained full Blue Flag status on 1 December 2009. Since then Kenton-on-Sea residents saw what a transformation Kariega Main Beach achieved, and today the majority of residents and businesses support the Blue Flag initiative. I am hoping, but extremely confident, that Ndlambe municipality will again receive Blue Flag status for Kelly’s Beach as well as this beautiful Kariega Main Beach. If successful, Kelly’s beach would receive their 7th full Blue Flag status flag and Kariega Main Beach its 3rd Blue Flag status flag. As the Mayor of Ndlambe municipality, I am extremely proud of the Directorate: Community Protection Services, in particular our Blue Flag Champion, Fanie Fouche (our Manager: Environmental Conservation) and his Environmental Conservation Unit. They have put Ndlambe on the Blue Flag International map and have proven that “Nothing’s impossible!” Their hard work and dedication is to be commended. In 2008 Kelly’s beach was hammered by high seas, but after a business plan was submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism, Ndlambe was given R2, 2 million to rehabilitate Kelly’s Beach as well as the upgrading of Kariega Main Beach to full Blue Flag status.  We, as Ndlambe municipality are very proud to yet again host the Blue Flag International Launch for this coming 2011/2012 season. Ndlambe applied to host this prestigious Blue Flag event at Kariega Main Beach at the start of the new financial year. It was not budgeted for, and presentations by the Environmental Unit to local organizations for financial support took place. Ndlambe municipality would like to thank the generous sponsorship of Kenton Bushmans Chamber of Business; Sunshine Coast Tourism and Events Authority; Kariega Game Reserve; Bushmans Kariega Estuary Care; Sibuya Game Reserve and Kenton-on-Sea Ratepayers Association, to make this launch possible. The Conservation Unit has been hard at work upgrading the already 5 star facilities and I am sure the community and all those in attendance will agree the facility is in an immaculate condition. We also have a very good working relationship with MBB Consulting Services, and South African National Parks Board, and with the Working for the Coast Programme when it comes to the day to day operations at Kelly’s and Kariega Main Beach. We also have excellent working relationships with NGO’s such as KOSRA, Estuary Care over the New Year peak period, and our Beach Buddies initiatives over the past 4 seasons is a huge success. Ndlambe municipality believe that partnerships between civil society; businesses and the municipality is what makes us unique, and we are more than willing to share our experience with other municipalities. Please take the opportunity to stay, visit, explore and admire Kenton-on-Sea, the jewel of the Sunshine Coast. Why not visit  Port Alfred, the Heart of the Sunshine Coast and  our other towns and wonderful beaches.
Lastly, the full Ndlambe Council supports the Blue Flag initiative, and we are confident that soon Ndlambe will boast with more Blue Flag beaches, so take off your shoes, roll up your pants, walk down to the water’s edge and enjoy our warm-hearted water and friendly hospitality.

Welcome to our pride and joy, OUR Blue Flag Beaches!

(Ndlambe Mayor – Sipho Tandani)