Blue flags for all Hessequa beaches

Update

HESSEQUA NEWS - During the Blue Flag award ceremony held on 27 October at Grotto Beach in Hermanus, Hessequa Municipality once again received full Blue Flag status for all six beaches.

This is the third consecutive year that the municipality was awarded full Blue Flag status for all its swimming beaches, namely Gouritsmond, Lappiesbaai, Still Bay West, Preekstoel, Jongensfontein and Witsand.

In addition, for the third time, the municipality received a special Certificate of Recognition for being the only one in South Africa to achieve full Blue Flag status for all designated swimming beaches since the launch of the Blue Flag Programme in 2001.

The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches and to qualify for Blue Flag status beaches need to meet and maintain high standards of water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. In South Africa, the Blue Flag programme is coordinated by WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa).

Hessequa Municipality's manager for Solid Waste, Public Amenities and Facilities, André Hansen, received the award on behalf of the municipality.

According to the municipal manager, Johan Jacobs, it is an honour to receive this prestigious international accreditation. He thanked Hansen and his team for the remarkable achievement. "This contributes to Hessequa being a tourism destination of choice," Jacobs added.

The Blue Flag season runs from 3 December 2021 until 15 January 2022.

The municipality received a special Certificate of Recognition for being the only one in South Africa to achieve full Blue Flag status for all designated swimming beaches.