Meet an aerial “big five” when Nemo, Squid, Octopus, Red Teddy and Bertie the Worm take to the skies at the 24th Cape Town International Kite Festival on Saturday and Sunday October 27 and 28 in Muizenberg.
It is Africa’s biggest kite festival and sees kiters from around the world flying incredible kite creations in support of Cape Mental Health, South Africa’s oldest mental health organisation.
The annual kiting extravaganza is the grand finale to October’s Mental Health Month campaign and has been hosted in support of Cape Mental Health since 1994.
“Rise Up is our theme for 2018,” says Ingrid Daniels, director of Cape Mental Health and president elect of the World Federation for Mental Health.
“We believe everyone is born with potential to rise up beyond life’s circumstances. Our mission and the services we provide help people realise this potential and overcome mental health challenges they may encounter. Kites are one of the tools we use. Almost everyone feels inspired when they simply lift their heads and look up.”
Statistics show that every year one person in four will have a mental health condition.
Mental health affects everyone but for people living in a disadvantaged urban or rural community, the impact of disability and poverty can be particularly challenging.
At just R40 per person (and R15 for children 12 years old and younger) this spectacular event offers affordable, fresh-air fun that is good for you and your family, as well as helping those affected by mental health problems.
Take along your own kite to fly in the public flying arena, buy a kite when you are there or make a kite at one of the many free kite-making workshops for children and adults, on both days of the festival.
There is also live entertainment (dance, music and comedy), a tea garden, food trucks and fairground rides. The free, supervised Toddler Zone gives parents a chance to sit down and relax. Visitors are welcome to take along a picnic but please leave dogs at home.
The 24th Cape Town International Kite Festival is at Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg (corner of Axminster and The Row) on October 27 and 28, from 10am to 6pm. There is lots of parking at Muizenberg High School and access by train (False Bay or Muizenberg stations). Entry is R40 (R15 for children 12 years and under). Tickets are available at the gate or from Quicket.
For more information, visit www.capementalhealth.co.za, contact Cape Mental Health on 021 447 9040, email info@cmh.org.za or follow @CT
KiteFest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.