Kites brought a dash of colour to the skies over the Cape Flats last week for the annual Cape Mental Health Kite Festival’s Heideveld Fly.
About 260 children from five preschools took part in the event at the Heideveld Sports Ground, on Tuesday October 10, World Mental Health Day, and they each received a kite and a party pack.
Cape Mental Health’s CEO, Dr Ingrid Daniels, said that in times of trouble and adversity, hope, support and kindness helped 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.”
On Sunday October 29, Cape Mental Health’s 29th annual Cape Town Kite Festival will be held at Melkbosstrand beach with the theme “the sky is your canvas“ and South African kiters Mari Ware-Lane, Bradley Ware-Lane, Bobby Gathoo, Brian Skinner, Wesley Beales, Frans Marais and other kite flyers will be flying their kites on the day.
Cape Mental Health is also running its annual EduKite Competition, which sees children making and decorating kites to win monetary prizes. The competition’s prize-giving and fun fly will take place at the Zandvlei Lookout on Promenade Road, in Muizenberg, on Saturday October 21, from 10am to 1.30pm.
“By investing in children and youth, we lay the foundation for the prevention of mental health disorders, empowering young people to unleash their full potential and pursue their dreams without limitations,” said Ms Daniels.
Cape Mental Health deputy director Carol Bosch said: “We wish to instil the message that despite all the challenges we face, our spirit can still soar higher than the highest kite when we have good mental health.”
Fazlyn Ajam, a principal at Fifth Avenue Daycare, said the children had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“These things don’t really happen in our community so it is important to have it here. The event was very well organised,” she said.