Kelly’s Beach is nestled where the Kowie River meets the Indian Ocean, in the Eastern Cape town of Port Alfred, known for its gentle waves and stunning scenery.
This year, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) awarded the Ndlambe Municipality its 20th Blue Flag for Kelly’s Beach.
While the Western Cape was awarded for having the most Blue Flag beaches, this quiet, small municipality was celebrated for its long-standing commitment to excellence at one beach in particular.
This makes the Ndlambe Municipality WESSA’s longest-running partnership and the municipality with the oldest consistent Blue Flag beach status.
The prestigious award is given at a time when Ndlambe is struggling with service delivery challenges, including frequent water outages and severe potholes flagged by the Public Protector. In this particular area of maintenance, however, Ndlambe shines.
The municipality co-hosted this year’s Blue Flag and Green Coast awards ceremony. Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso said that the area is “a place recognised not only for its natural beauty, but for the Blue Flag status we work hard to uphold year after year.”
The Blue Flag programme has been operating since 2001, supported by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. It aims to recognise municipalities that maintain world-class standards in environmental management, safety and education.
At the ceremony, Lappiesbaai beach in Still Bay was also recognised for 20 years of Blue Flag status, making it the second-oldest Blue Flag beach.
Fanie Fouché, Deputy Director of Community Protection Services, received the Blue Flag. He was also present when the first Blue Flag was hoisted on Kelly’s beach in 2005.
Local publication Talk of the Town reported that Fouché gave a detailed account of the hard work and planning that have gone into maintaining the top beach.
In 2010, Ndlambe was one of only four municipalities that were allowed to hoist the Blue Flags at two of its beaches: Kereiga and Kelly’s, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“That was amazing. A lot of the teams and visitors from all over the world came here to visit our coastline,” he said.
Fouché said that the municipality has faced its fair share of challenges threatening to tarnish its pristine shoreline.
Twenty years of cleanliness, safety and natural beauty
Challenges include a flooding incident in October 2021, when 550mm of rain fell within 24 hours – more than the annual rainfall for the town of Port Alfred, where Kelly’s Beach is found.
The department managed to get the beaches cleaned up and restored before the high season in December and was able to uphold the Blue Flag status.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented further challenges, but Fouché said that with “sheer determination”, they maintained Blue Flag status.
“So why do we keep going at it year after year, striving to achieve and maintain Blue Flag status?” Fouché asked.
He explained that the Blue Flag is not just a nice-to-have, but an opportunity that allows the municipality to apply for funding, which employs conservationists, beach attendants and lifeguards.
“Obtaining Blue Flag in 2005 has changed what we can do. We are striving for excellence, and we’ll keep on doing that,” he said.
“I am overwhelmed, proud and extremely passionate about Blue Flag Status, and I can’t wait for the next 20 years. I am hoping that what we have achieved over the last 20 years can rub off on other officials and municipalities,” he said.
Ndlambe hopes to set an example of what can be achieved even when resources are limited.
The Blue Flag award takes not only environmental protection and cleanliness into account, but also safety, ablution facilities, and lifeguard services.
According to Port Alfred Sunshine Coast Tourism, Kelly’s Beach is 400 m long, allowing plenty of space for beach activities, while a collection of rock pools on the beach’s west side keeps curious children occupied for hours.
Lifeguards arrive each morning at Kelly’s Beach to place flags that mark off safe areas for swimming and are there to assist in emergencies.
More Photos from Kelly’s Beach:
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