Primary school pupils from both mainstream and special-education schools took part in a kite-decorating competition last month as part of the 2023 Cape Town International Kite Festival.
The theme for the Edukite competition this year was “the sky is your canvas”. Pupils were tasked with decorating the kites to show their understanding of the theme and what it meant for their mental health
Dr Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health, was impressed by the students’ creativity and the colourful kites they designed.
“The effort and time taken to display their creativity, art, and skill presented us with a collection of carefully and thoughtfully crafted kites capturing deep and profound mental health messages. Out of the mouths of these young learners came mental health messages which inspired hope and dreams – the sky was their canvas.”
Dr Daniels said some of the stories told by these young mental health advocates included a young boy’s recovery from depression and anxiety.
“It was a day which created an opportunity for inclusion, integration, hope, dreams, and possibilities,” she said.
Several schools entered the competition and 15 were selected to attend the prize-giving in Muizenberg on Saturday October 21.
First place went to Silverlea Primary and Dorothea School which each won R3000. The second-place winners were Ferndale Primary and Blouvlei School, both receiving R2000.
Third place went to Muizenberg Junior School and St Joseph’s School, receiving R1000 each.
Fourth place was claimed by Caravelle Primary winning R500.
