About

The Blue Flag programme is a voluntary eco-label has become a symbol of quality around the world. The programme is designed to promote sustainable development, raise environmental awareness and increase sound environmental management practices among tourists and the local population. The Blue Flag Programme is coordinated internationally by an independent non-profit organisation – the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which has a head office in Copenhagen, Denmark.  In South Africa, the programme is coordinated and managed by WESSA (the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa), in partnership with participating local authorities, as a part of WESSA’s National Coastal Programme. The Blue Flag is awarded through a rigorous application and jury selection, both nationally and internationally, to beaches, marinas and boats that comply with 33 main criteria, spanning over four aspects of coastal management.

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Public awareness is important to increase enthusiasm and support, stimulate self-mobilisation and action, and mobilise local knowledge and resources. The ultimate aim of such campaigns is to achieve long-term lasting behavioural changes. Awareness addresses the knowledge of individuals. It aims to ensure that communities understand the impact of environmental changes and take action to address these issues.

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As a part of these criteria, to achieve and keep Blue Flag status, beaches must offer at least five Environmental Education and Information activities in the municipality or community.  The City of Cape Town thus appointed a Service Provider, Afriworld Business Solutions, in support of hosting these EE programmes. The appointed Service Provider was tasked to work closely with the WESSA appointed Blue Flag Beach stewards and lifeguards stationed at the various beaches.