The Hybrid 27th Cape Town International Kite Festival kicks off from October 2-13, hosted by non-profit organisation, Cape Mental Health.

This year’s interactive event combines real-life open-air kite-flying with online kite-making workshops, competitions and videos.

The goal is to raise over R100 000 (€5 900) to enable Cape Mental Health to continue providing essential free mental healthcare services.

“Mental health is regarded as the third-highest burden of disease in South Africa but remains the most neglected aspect of health care, competing with other medical conditions, including the health costs of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine roll-out,” says Dr Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health and President of the World Federation for Mental Health.

“Naturally, this underinvestment in mental health has a significant impact on access to mental health in poor and under-resourced communities and rural areas.”

Cape Mental Health also invites locals to view kites at Dolphin Beach on October 10 (World Mental Health Day), and at Zandvlei Nature Reserve on October 23.

Participants can share their photos, videos, and messages of encouragement with the hashtag #EveryoneDeservesToFly to @CTKiteFest on Twitter.