inALTITUDE:
Words: Cathy Williams | Photos: Various photographers
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A Sky Full of Colour Cape Town International Kite Festival 2012
Khayelitsha fly
Over 20,000 people came to see the sky filled with colour and amazing kite creations at the 18th Cape Town International Kite Festival in Muizenberg on 3 and 4 November 2012. The annual event, which is Africa’s biggest kite festival, is organised by non-profit organisation Cape Mental Health to raise funds and awareness. Kiters came from six countries to support Cape Mental Health and embrace the theme of ‘All about ability’. Gadis Widiyati Riyadi from Singapore flew her King Julian and Mort kites – fresh from the Madagascar movies. Bernd Halbeck from Germany brought along his giant bee kites. An enormous Peter Lynne giant octopus and spectacular kite train were flown by the Malaysian kiters: Mohamed Ansari Bin Mohamad Syed Ahmad and his wife Norlida; Mohamed Bohari Bin Kipl and his wife Mastura. Erhan Tüfekcioglu showed 150 children how to make a simple square kite and his countryman Halit Cebeci wowed the crowds with his stunt kites, which featured 30 metre long tails. Team Sun City Kite from Jodphur, India, demonstrated Indian fighter kites using manja, a special glass-coated line used to cut your opponent's line. In the Edu-kite Schools’ Competition Dorothea School from Stellenbosch and Christel House from Ottery took first place positions. “It feels fantastic!” said teacher Donetha Cupido of Christel House on hearing they had won first place in the mainstream primary schools’ category. “Working on the kites has taught the children teamwork and being creative. The project is in line with the value system at our school where we focus on respect, integrity, independence, and responsibility. Because our school’s motto is ‘giving back’ we will be taking our winning kites into the community and sharing them with parents and learners.” Second places went to St Joseph’s Home RC Primary from Montana and Pauw Gedenk Laerskool from Wellington. Third places went to Silverlea Primary in Athlone and Vera School in Rondebosch East. A record of 19 local kite-makers competed in the Heritage Kite Award, which was won by Rifead Sambo of Athlone. The kites were judged on craftsmanship, creativity, design and flying ability. The kites could be made of any materials, but they had to be hand-crafted and able to fly.
èRelated article:
• Kites - The World on a String (Issue 19, p. 64)
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1st Edu-kite primary Christel House, Ottery Kite '12
1st Edu-kite - Dorothea School, Stellenbosch
Kites by Elsa Hoffmann
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Heritage Kite Award - Ebrahim and Rifead Sambo
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Mort from Madagascar, photo by Shayne Ormond
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Malaysian kite train by Elsa Hoffmann
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