In a speech starting punctually at 19h00 this evening, President Ramaphosa announced that the country as a whole will step down to Level 3 from 1 June, with concessions made for unrestricted exercise, allowing the sale of alcohol for home consumption under strict conditions, lifting of the curfew, the collection as well as delivery of Restaurant meals, and the opening up of the economy. Tobacco Products remain banned for sale. Continue reading →
The Western Cape has 27 Blue Flag beaches, the largest percentage of the 45 Blue Flag beaches awarded in our country in total this year. More than 4000 Blue Flag beaches have been accredited world-wide. In addition, five marinas and six whale-watching boats were accredited, and some pilot Blue Flag beaches have been announced. All the beaches in the Hessequa Municipality (Stilbaai, Witsand, Gouritzmond, and more) have achieved Blue Flag status.
The Blue Flag status of each beach is done by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, based on international standards for water and beach cleanliness, water and sand quality, and environmental education and management, set by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The number of Blue Flag beaches awarded locally is growing year on year since the beach accreditation system was introduced in our country 13 years ago.
The Blue Flag Beaches, and accredited marina and whale-watching boats, in the Western Cape are the following: Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Comair has placed an order for 8 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, to the value of $830 million, and the first such order from an African airline.
* The City of Cape Town has launched a large scale Substance Abuse campaign, to address one of the City’s most severe problems, and to communicate that Drugs are every Capetonian’s problem. Radio, tabloids, and billboards/bus stops are to be used for the campaign. It affects family lives, and can lead to crime and gangsterism. The Anti-Drug advertising campaign uses spokespersons Ian Bredenkamp of Kfm, former rugby player Chester Williams, dancer Mamela Nyamza, and Mayor Patricia de Lille. Each of the campaign endorsers says in the advertisements: ‘My name is …… and I have a drug problem. I don’t use them, but they still affect me. If you have a drug problem or know someone that needs help, call now: 24HR helpline: 0800 435748’.
* Camps Bay is the 24th most popular beach in the world, according to TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2014, with Clifton, Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown, Blouberg, Grotto Beach in Hermanus, Buffalo Bay in Knysna, and Brenton-on-Sea in Knysna also performing well on the top Africa beach list.
* The House of Mandela, established by the late Nelson Mandela’s daughter Makwizi and granddaughter Tukwini, has launched its Thembu Collection of wines in The Netherlands, using that country as a springboard into the European market. Their winemaker is Erlank Erasmus, and they only use grapes from Fairtrade certified wine estates.
* Grande Provence is introducing the Gourmand Food & Wine Experience in its wine cellar, an 8 course meal prepared for 8 guests Continue reading →