Kites caper in George sky

Brightly coloured kites danced, twirled and bobbed in the skies next to the N2 between George and Wilderness on Saturday 20 October. Spectators at the George leg of the Eden Kite Festival watched in wonderment as kites in all shapes and sizes wheeled and soared into the clear blue sky fanned by a gusty 35km/h easterly wind.

Kiters from across the country, together with visitors from India, England, Australia and Germany, wowed the hundreds of visitors with their kite-flying skills.

Extending the popular annual Eden Kite Festival with an extra day in George was the brainchild of Rotary's Donald Goldfain.

He said the funds raised at the family fun day will go to the Masithandane scholar transport bursary fund that ferries high school learners from Sedgefield to George. "Currently Sedgefield has no high school, nor is there public or department transport to bring the learners to high schools in George.

Masithandane, an NPO in Sedgefield, helps many poor families that are struggling to get their children to school."

Keith Mould from Sedgefield is the driving force behind the Eden Kite Festival, supported by the generous sponsorship of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty.

This year he has been a guest at festivals in India, Thailand, Turkey and Malaysia. In past years he also flew his kites in Indonesia, China, South Korea, England, France and Dubai. Mould says, "I fly large inflatable kites but prefer the artistic, more traditional stick kites that I create myself."

Jacky Weaver, Masithandane chairperson, said, "The Masithandane bursary has collected and paid out over R500 000 in the last 12 years to ensure that youngsters from Sedgefield and the surrounding areas can attend high school."

Other Masithandane projects include the Integrated Community and Home-based Care Services, the Sedgefield Home Nursing and Care giving Services, caring for vulnerable children and job creation projects.

Goldfain said Rotary hopes to see everyone next year on the open field next to the Sasol Highway Garage on the N2 for the next kite festival. "Special thanks to Zelda and Heindrich van der Vyver who allowed us the use of the land." Rabinowitz

Photos: Myron The hills were alive with the sound of ‘delight’ as the kites moved back and forth, fighting the gusty wind.

Keith Mould (left) from Sedgefield was the organiser of the kite flyers at the first Rotary Eden Kite Festival. With him are Jacky Weaver (Masithandane), Donald Goldfain (Rotary) and Joan Shaw (George Tourism).

From left are Maritza, Jacques, Noleen and Leilanie Fritz, with Cherissa and Deidre Smal.