A boy looks at a kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day where kite enthusiasts gather to fly colourful kites, participate in social activities, and raise funds for mental health support at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
A boy looks at a kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day where kite enthusiasts gather to fly colourful kites, participate in social activities, and raise funds for mental health support at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

Home » Spirits and Kites Fly High at 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival

Spirits and Kites Fly High at 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival

Kite enthusiasts enjoyed a brilliantly windy day today at the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, where both good spirits and colourful kites flew sky-high, raising awareness of World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) and funds for mental health support. From a large pink airplane to a kite depicting a dementor from the Harry […]

A boy looks at a kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day where kite enthusiasts gather to fly colourful kites, participate in social activities, and raise funds for mental health support at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
A boy looks at a kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day where kite enthusiasts gather to fly colourful kites, participate in social activities, and raise funds for mental health support at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

Kite enthusiasts enjoyed a brilliantly windy day today at the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, where both good spirits and colourful kites flew sky-high, raising awareness of World Mental Health Day (Monday 10 October) and funds for mental health support.

Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
A boy looks at a kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

From a large pink airplane to a kite depicting a dementor from the Harry Potter series, there was a wide variety of creations at Melkbosstrand.

Children and adults alike were gathered at the Festival which is part of an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day.

With October being mental health awareness month, SA singer-songwriter Majozi is featured in a video on Cape Mental Health’s Facebook page.

Cape Town International Kite Festival
South African power utility Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is seen in the background of a wind sock at the Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day in Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

Majozi says: “I think it’s super important to encourage people young and old to take care of their mental health, because we spend so much time taking care of other things… like our bodies. We go to gym so why not take care of our minds because what happens inside of here is super important.”

Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
A man flies his kite during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day where kite enthusiasts gather to fly colourful kites, participate in social activities, and raise funds for mental health support at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

Majozi says that in the past people avoided getting therapy because they felt embarrassed, but that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. “Life can be hard, life can be difficult for all of us man, so please go and seek help. There are amazing places like Cape Mental health, which provide free services.” Majozi believes access to mental health facilities is pretty much a human right, so we can take better care of ourselves.

Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
28th Cape Town International Kite Festival, an awareness-campaign for World Mental Health Day REUTERS/Esa Alexander

He knows what he’s talking about. His wife is on a journey right now for her mental health, and he has been getting therapy himself in order to help take better care of her and himself. “If you know someone who is struggling, reach out and help them,” he says, adding: “We’re here for you, and we just want you to know that you’re enough.”

Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
People fly their kites at the beach at Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa, October 9, 2022. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
Children play with a kite depicting a dementor from the Harry Potter series REUTERS/Esa Alexander
Kite enthusiasts fly their colourful kites during the Cape Town Kite Festival
A kite depicting a dementor from the Harry Potter series is seen on the beach during the 28th Cape Town International Kite Festival REUTERS/Esa Alexander
Cape Town International Kite Festival
A man flies his kite. REUTERS/Esa Alexander

The annual Cape Town Kite Festival is Africa’s oldest kite festival, and has been hosted by non-profit Cape Mental Health since 1994 to raise funds and awareness of mental health issues.

Cape Town International Kite Festival
REUTERS/Esa Alexander
Cape Town International Kite Festival
REUTERS/Esa Alexander