KHAYELITSHA’S skies were filled with colour and the sound of laughter as children from the Imizamo Yethu Special Education and Care Centre tried their hand at kite-flying ahead of Cape Mental Health’s kite festival fundraiser this weekend. Manyanani Peace Park was abuzz as the children flew crocodile and balloon-shaped kites, assisted by experienced kiters from as far afield as Germany, the US and Indonesia.
Children from the K1 School for pupils with special education needs, who made their own kites during a workshop on Wednesday, joined in. Gadija Koopman, Cape Mental Health’s deputy director, said it was important to bring the kiters to the children, especially those who could not be taught because of severe mental disabilities and therefore did not have schools to attend. “Every one of these little ones has the potential to do and be something. We don’t know what that is. We can only provide them with the opportunities to realise that potential; that is our responsibility.
“We believe that these children have a right to education as well. We petitioned the (Western Cape) high court, and the court made a ruling in our favour, saying that the children need to be acknowledged and supported by the department of education,” Koopman said. Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, who visited the children, said she was happy the court had ruled in their favour.
She said it was unfair that children were categorised as “uneducable”. “We have to prioritise our children. Why aren’t they accommodated?”
Yesterday’s event was a preview to the Cape Town International Kite Festival. But Keith Mould, kiting advisor to the festival, said the day was more than a preview. “It’s about bringing the international guys into the community and adding value to the children’s lives. It doesn’t matter what your abilities are when you’re standing down at the end of the kite line,” he said. Princess RA Helmi Ginanti of Bali in Indonesia described the experience as “incredible”.
“The point is to make the children happy; it’s not just about kiting. This experience is about the language of the heart, love.”l The festival is tomorrow and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm at Zandvlei, near Muizenberg beach. Tickets are R15 for adults and R5 for children.