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Twenty-one beaches, marinas and national parks in the Eastern and Western Cape have been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2013/2014 period.
This was announced on Tuesday by Environmental Affairs Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
Van Schalkwyk said this year, South Africa celebrates its 13th successful year of running the Blue Flag programme.
He says high on the list of achievements is the growth of Blue Flag beaches, from only three beaches in the first year to 41 beaches and 5 marinas for this year.
Van Schalkwyk says twelve beaches also hold pilot status.
Ten beaches along the Garden Route have awarded Blue Flag status while Thesen Island and the Garden Route National Park in Eden and at Plettenberg Bay have also received the award.
In the Eastern Cape, seven beaches in the Ndlambe Municipality and two in Port Elizabeth received Blue Flag status along with the Royal and Alfred Marina.
No blue flag awards were made for East London beaches.
blueflag status 2013/2014
Marinas and Beaches:
Thesen Island (new) ; Royal Alfred Marina - Port Alfred.
Southern Cape:
Mossel Bay: De Bakke; Kleinbrak; Santos; Hartenbos; Wilderness, Garden Route National Park, Eden.
Knysna; Buffalo Bay; Brenton Bay.
Plettenberg Bay: Keurboomstrand; Robberg V.
Nature's Valley, Garden Route National Park, Bitou Municipality.
Eastern Cape:
Jeffrey's Bay: Dolphin Beach.
Nelson Mandela Bay: Humewood Beach; Kings Beach.
Ndlambe Municiplity: Kariega, Kenton-on-Sea; Middle Beach, Kleinemond; West Beach, Boknes Beach and Kellys Beach.
