Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Kites let children’s dreams take flight
Charity to benefit from colourful festival
THE CAPE Mental Health organisation treated pupils from Imizamo Yethu Special Care and Education to flying kites with professional kiters at Manyanani Peace Park this week.
The pupils met kiters from around the world ahead of this weekend’s 22nd Cape Town International Kite Festival held today and tomorrow on the lawns of Zandvlei Nature Reserve in Muizenberg.
This year’s theme is #BornToFly. Kiters from Canada, China, Germany, England, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa are expected to attend.
The youngsters had a great time. They teamed up with professional kiters Fred and Donna Taylor from Canada, Gadis Widiyati Riyadi from Singapore, Ashley WareLane from Brackenfell, Peter Hulcoop from the UK, Greg Mountjoy from Knysna and Ian and Jenny Islip from Parow.
“The smiles on their faces were priceless,” said Santie Terreblanche, deputy director of Cape Mental Health.
“We decided to bring the festival to the kids of Khayelitsha as some of them won’t be able to attend (the festival) over the weekend.”
The youngsters enjoyed flying kites and trying to pop bubbles made by a windpowered bubble machine.
The festival offers affordable, feel-good family fun with free kite-making workshops, including sessions with master kite maker Ebrahim Sambo from Athlone, who will give lessons on how to create a traditional Cape Swaeltjie (Swallow) Kite.
Terreblanche said the purpose of the festival was to create awareness and to be a symbol of hope.
It was also created for people to have fun with their families out in the outdoors. They can bring their own kites or buy them at the festival.
“We believe everyone is born with potential to fly beyond life’s circumstances,” said Ingrid Daniels, director of Cape Mental Health. “Our mission is to help people realise their potential and overcome mental health challenges they may encounter.”
All the profits go to helping provide mental health services to children and adults in Cape Town and surrounding areas.