A colorful kite festival in South Africa raises awareness for mental health

Enthusiasts person flown kites of each kinds astatine an yearly show successful South Africa that raises consciousness for intelligence health

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Enthusiasts flew kites of each shapes and sizes Sunday astatine a show successful South Africa that raises consciousness for intelligence wellness and provides a burst of beachside color.

The Cape Town International Kite Festival is celebrating its 30th year, pinch participants walking from nan United States, Tunisia and elsewhere.

They ranged from seasoned pros — location is specified a point arsenic master kite fliers, according to organizer Barbara Meyer — to children who skipped down nan soil pinch kites fluttering supra them.

Kite designs included “Finding Nemo”-inspired fish, bluish dragons, yellowish lizards and a wiggly greenish jellyfish. One inventive entrant was a kite successful nan style of a skydiver. Another was a elephantine manus that flew supra spectators, waving successful nan wind.

October is intelligence wellness period successful South Africa. Meyer said nan show is an important fundraiser for Cape Mental Health, an statement that offers mostly free counseling to immoderate who request it successful nan Cape Town area.

She said kites reflected a motto: “No matter really vulnerable nan drawstring seems, a personification tin usage it to clasp a kite arsenic ample arsenic a house."

She said nan past fewer years had been reliable for galore pinch nan intelligence scars of nan COVID-19 pandemic, particularly young people.

“There were truthful galore different layers that COVID brought to people,” she said. “People mislaid family members. The rumor of isolation and lockdowns made it worse. There were a batch of occupation losses arsenic good and a batch of group coming and asking for help.”

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