Cape Mental Health aims to inspire children, youth, and the young at heart to fly their kites high at its annual event, the Cape Town Kite Festival, at Melkbosstrand beach on October 29.
The 29th edition of the festival will also include the annual ‘Pop-Up Fly’, where hundreds of people flock to the beach to enjoy the ‘show kites’ flown by South African kiters Mari Ware-Lane, Bradley Ware-Lane, Bobby Gathoo, Brian Skinner, Wesley Beales, Frans Marais, and others.
Furthermore, the Cape Town Kite Festival also featured Cape Town Mental Health’s annual Community Fly at Heideveld Sports Field on the Cape Flats, on October 10 (World Mental Health Day). Here children with intellectual disabilities from special education and care Centres and other Grade R learners and preschools in Heideveld, Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain joined in the kiting fun.
While raising awareness for mental health, Cape Mental Health also aims to raise funds that fuels its mission of providing essential, cost-free mental healthcare services and interventions to those who require it most.
“This month, the sky which has no limits, will become a beautiful canvas adorned with messages of hope and encouragement. In times of trouble and adversity hope, support and kindness help us to hold on.
“Hope is the anchor that supports our mental health and gives us the courage to take one more step. It reassures us of better days to come – hope removes fear. As kites soar against the adverse winds, it helps us to dream about a future filled with possibilities, holding on and never giving up,” said Dr Ingrid Daniels, Cape Mental Health CEO.