The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) launched the new cycle of the Working for the Coast (Wftc) project during the World Oceans Day celebrations in Durban on 17 June.

The new Working for the Coast project cycle will run for two years and will cover the entire South African coastline from Alexander Bay to Kosi Bay.

The Wftc programme is an Expanded Public Works Project (EPWP) implemented in order to clean and rehabilitate the coastline, while at the same time creating jobs and skills development in coastal communities.

The cleaning and rehabilitation of the coastline, the development and maintenance of coastal infrastructure have been an integral part of the Working for the Coast focus area under which a lot of temporary jobs and skills development have been achieved.

Since inception, the programme has had numerous achievements, some of which include but not limited to beaches being awarded the internationally renowned Blue Flag status, availability of beach facilities, creation of access to pristine beaches and a well conserved coastline. The number of blue flag beaches has since increased form 3 in 2001 to 69 in 2014/2015 season.

 

Beach clean up

In conjunction with the launch, the Department also hosted an eventful beach clean-up in celebration of World Oceans Day. A total of 729.5 kg of waste was collected on the day.

The most common litter was plastic bottle caps, metal bottle caps, polystyrene pieces and cigarette butts.