{"id":46498,"date":"2026-01-02T14:10:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T14:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/?p=46498"},"modified":"2026-01-02T14:10:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T14:10:48","slug":"the-surprising-municipality-with-south-africas-cleanest-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/2026\/01\/02\/the-surprising-municipality-with-south-africas-cleanest-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"The surprising municipality with South Africa\u2019s cleanest beach \u2013 Newsday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Kelly\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>This year, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) awarded the Ndlambe Municipality its 20th Blue Flag for Kelly\u2019s Beach.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>This makes the Ndlambe Municipality WESSA\u2019s longest-running partnership and the municipality with the oldest consistent Blue Flag beach status.<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The municipality co-hosted this year\u2019s Blue Flag and Green Coast awards ceremony. Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso said that the area is \u201ca place recognised not only for its natural beauty, but for the Blue Flag status we work hard to uphold year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Fanie Fouch\u00e9, Deputy Director of Community Protection Services, received the Blue Flag. He was also present when the first Blue Flag was hoisted on Kelly\u2019s beach in 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Local publication <em>Talk of the Town<\/em> reported that Fouch\u00e9 gave a detailed account of the hard work and planning that have gone into maintaining the top beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was amazing. A lot of the teams and visitors from all over the world came here to visit our coastline,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fouch\u00e9 said that the municipality has faced its fair share of challenges threatening to tarnish its pristine shoreline.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Twenty years of cleanliness, safety and natural beauty<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/13-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Port Alfred Sunshine Coast Tourism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Challenges include a flooding incident in October 2021, when 550mm of rain fell within 24 hours \u2013 more than the annual rainfall for the town of Port Alfred, where Kelly\u2019s Beach is found.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The COVID-19 pandemic presented further challenges, but Fouch\u00e9 said that with \u201csheer determination\u201d, they maintained Blue Flag status.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo why do we keep going at it year after year, striving to achieve and maintain Blue Flag status?\u201d Fouch\u00e9 asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObtaining Blue Flag in 2005 has changed what we can do. We are striving for excellence, and we\u2019ll keep on doing that,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am overwhelmed, proud and extremely passionate about Blue Flag Status, and I can\u2019t 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,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ndlambe hopes to set an example of what can be achieved even when resources are limited.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Flag award takes not only environmental protection and cleanliness into account, but also safety, ablution facilities, and lifeguard services.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Port Alfred Sunshine Coast Tourism, Kelly\u2019s Beach is 400 m long, allowing plenty of space for beach activities, while a collection of rock pools on the beach\u2019s west side keeps curious children occupied for hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lifeguards arrive each morning at Kelly\u2019s Beach to place flags that mark off safe areas for swimming and are there to assist in emergencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Photos from Kelly\u2019s Beach:<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363023_16_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363023_16_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/12-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/12-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/12-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363026_473_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363026_473_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/11-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/11-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/11-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363028_340_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363028_340_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/9-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/9-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/9-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363030_19_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363030_19_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/8-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/8-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/8-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363033_687_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363033_687_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363035_600_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363035_600_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363037_211_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363037_211_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363040_372_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363040_372_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363042_314_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-%E2%80%93-Newsday.png?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767363042_314_The-surprising-municipality-with-South-Africas-cleanest-beach-\u2013-Newsday.png 1200w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/newsday.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"text-center border p-3 bg-light mt-4 rounded\">You have read 1 out of 5 free articles. Log in or register for unlimited access.<\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- Share Data Setup for JavaScript --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Africa tv video display -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669381584671856\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3579572842\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\">\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n#surprising #municipality #South #Africas #cleanest #beach #Newsday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kelly\u2019s Beach is nestled where the Kowie River meets the Indian Ocean, in the Eastern Cape town of Port Alfred,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mzansi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46498"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46500,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46498\/revisions\/46500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eduzim.co.zw\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}