Cape Town: Blaauwberg Nature Reserve of City of Cape Town has been awarded South Africa’s first Green Coast Status. It was first honoured with the status in 2018 and since then was awarded annually in recognition of fulfilling the commitment to preserve the unique flora and fauna along its coastline.
The Green Coast Status complements the International Blue Flag programme as it allows municipalities to sustainably manage the coastal sites outside of the traditionally developed swimming beaches.
City of Cape Town’s Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is situated in an area that includes approximately 2,000 hectares of pristine coastal landscape and inland koppies and flats.
The reserve is home to critically endangered vegetation and boasts a 7km coastline. The Blaauwberg Hill at the nature reserve is one of the few viewpoints in the world from where one can see two proclaimed World Heritage Sites known as Table Mountain and Robben Island.
The national implementer for the Green Coast Programme – Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), presented official Green Coast Status to the Environmental Management Department of the City of Cape Town for the fifth time during a special ceremony observed on October 28, 2024 at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
The Green Coast Zone focuses on conservation, sustainable tourism and environmental education along the coastline.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that the achievement comes as a result of the Environmental Management Department of the City of Cape Town and its implementing partner.
The Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area spared no effort in actively monitoring, maintaining and ensuring the accessibility of the coastline. Also, providing opportunities for environmental education, sustainable tourism and the empowerment of local communities.
He mentioned that now they can proudly say that Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is a beacon for coastal conservation in Cape Town and South Africa. “I am pleased that we have set the ‘Green’ bar. It is an amazing honour to receive the achievement for the fifth time in 2024. We want to thank WESSA for recognising the hard work, effort and passion of people in the Environmental Management Department and the Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area,” said Alderman Andrews.
He added that Cape Town is the most biodiverse city in the world and they have the responsibility to conserve and protect the unique biodiversity, but they cannot do it alone.
“Valuable partnerships with local communities and organisations enable us to sustainably manage the precious flora and fauna of the city,” said Eddie Andrews.