Innovative ideas last. And the Cape Town Kite Festival now has three decades under its belt. It’s also the first time that the event returns to South Africa in full flight after the Covid pandemic.
It takes place at the Youngsfield Military Base in Wynberg this weekend. The festival’s purpose is to raise awareness about mental health and to combat the stigma associated with it.
Nearly a billion people around the world live with a mental disorder, and in South Africa, up to 85% of those who need help never receive it.
“Our emotional well-being as a nation is under immense pressure,” said Barbara Meyer, communications officer at organiser Cape Mental Health. “Violence, trauma and constant stress take a toll on mental health. The festival reminds people that even when things feel dark, there is still hope. It is about the courage to rise again.”
Hope in dark times
October is World Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s global focus is on access to services during catastrophes and emergencies. It is a reminder, said Meyer, that mental health support must remain strong in times of crisis.
“It takes courage to live with a mental health condition, to rise above stigma and to hold on through the rough patches,” said Meyer. “Like kites soaring against strong winds, people show resilience and inspire others to find their own strength.”
Courage is also the theme of this year’s instalment.
The festival debuted in 1994 as a small local gathering to raise awareness about mental wellness. Over the years, it has become a Cape Town tradition that draws families, schools and kite enthusiasts from around the world. Attractions, beyond the amazing kites displayed each year, include a family zone, kite-making workshops, music, food and activities.
“People have such warm memories of the festivals in Muizenberg,” Meyer said. “Every year they have asked when we would return in full format. This year, we finally can.”
First large event after pandemic
The new venue at Youngsfield Air Force Base offers more space, said Meyer, and allows for easy access, and an open canvas for the spectacular display of kites.
“The international kite flyers bring something very special,” Meyer said. “They represent cultures from around the world but share one message, hope and resilience.”
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The money raised funds mental health initiatives.
“The funds we raise from the festival go directly into our community-based programmes,” Meyer said. “We help individuals and families live meaningful lives despite their diagnoses. Our focus is always on their strengths and resilience.”
Meyer said Cape Mental Health plans to keep growing the festival’s reach both in person and online. “The more people we reach, the more conversations we can start,” she said. “Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to mental wellness, but when people come together, laugh, create and share their experiences, something changes.”
She added that a strong nation depends on the mental wellness of its people.
“The kite festival is our way of saying hold on, stay hopeful and have the courage to fly.”
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