Speaker, the launching of the Blue Flag beaches for 2010 and 2011 by the Minister of Tourism on 28 October is a clear indication of the successes and failures in different local government administrations.
A total of 27 beaches countrywide received Blue Flag status, which is only awarded to beaches that have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety and environmental management.
Fifteen of the 27 beaches awarded Blue Flag status are situated in the Western Cape, of which six are in Cape Town. This success will enhance the Western Cape's international reputation as a world-class tourist destination, which was already growing due to positive tourist experiences during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
By contrast, the city of Durban is needlessly missing out on potential tourist growth because the city manager, Dr Michael Sutcliffe, continues to deny the benefits of participation. Blue Flag beaches draw tourists, and if Dr Sutcliffe believes the standards at Durban's beaches are higher than required by the Blue Flag scheme, why is Durban not allowed to participate?
It beggars belief that, despite a DA council motion - a decree supported by all parties to rejoin the Blue Flag scheme - little has been done to make this a reality.
The DA urges the Minister of Tourism to persuade all coastal municipalities to address the slowly deteriorating sewerage management systems along our coastline, and encourage all municipalities to push for Blue Flag status. This will ensure that the goodwill generated by the World Cup does not slip through our fingers like so many grains of sand on the flagless Durban beach. Thank you. [Applause.]