CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL TO RISE UP AND FLY
There will be workshops in which people can learn to make Cape heritage kites, writes Robyn Cohen
“To have no time for philosophy is to be a true philosopher.” – Blaise Pascal
#RISEUPANDFLY is the theme of the 24th Cape Town International Kite Festival which will be held over the weekend of October 27 and 28, from 10am-6pm on the lawns of Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg (corner Axminster and The Row).
The festival is considered to be Africa’s biggest kite festival, and includes kiters from seven countries, including South Africa. The festival is hosted by the Cape Mental Health and is not only its flagship fund-raiser event, but it’s a fun, creative event that brings families together in a beautiful outdoor setting. In addition to kiting, there is live entertainment, games, amusement rides and food stalls which gives the festival a carnival vibe. The annual festival wraps up October’s Mental Health Awareness Month campaign.
Other participating countries this year are Turkey, the US, the UK, Germany, India and Australia. In addition to the showpiece kites, flown by professional kiters, there are workshops in which people can learn to make Cape heritage kites – Cape Swaeltjie or Swallow Kites. There is no charge to attend the workshops which are on the go on both days. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about heritage kites – mostly made from bamboo and paper, cloth, umbrella material. Swaeltjies can be fragile and need to be transported with care. Cash prizes are up for grabs.
The festival started in 1993 – but missed one year – so this is the 24th edition. Kite festivals are challenging to mount. Besides the cost factor, its about finding the ideal spot which is windy but has some kind of protection.
An incredible aspect of the Cape Town International Kite Festival is that kiters pay their own way – flights, the whole package – as they believe in the event and come to support Cape Mental Health, said Cathy Williams, media liaison for the event. “As an organisation, Cape Mental Health is not in position to fund the festival. It’s a vital organisation. In 20 years of covering the festival, I have been chilled by mental health statistics. Consider the following: An estimated one in four South Africans will experience a mental health condition at some point and around 75% – a mind-blowing number – will never have access to services and care.
“That was according to stats given to me by Cape Mental Health in 2015, and keeping tabs, the numbers are roughly the same now in 2018,” says Williams.
“Most of us will probably experience a mental health dip at some point in our lives. Cape Mental health is there to assist, and the need is huge, particularly with underresourced communities.
“At the festival, people come together and forget their challenges. It is a day of gees. There is something magical about watching kites get off the ground and fly – and watching the delight on children’s faces – and adults,” adds Williams
The Kite Festival fraternity is still reeling in the wake of a recent tragedy – the tragic death in June of one of one of its key volunteer organisers, Ashleigh Ware-Lane.
He was the main kiting adviser and was an ambassador for Cape mental Health. His wife Mari will be at the festival and will be flying a kite in his honour.
The 24th Cape Town International Kite Festival is at Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg, on October 27 and 28, 10am to 6 pm. Parking at Muizenberg High School and access by train. R40/R15 (12 years and under). Bookings online via www. quicket.co.za. For info, see www. capementalhealth.co.za, call on 021 447 9040 / info@cmh.org.za