Colourful kites of all shapes and sizes took to the sky at Sedgefield, near Knysna in the Western Cape, for the annual Garden Route Kite Festival. The festival was established in 2015, and has continued to grow in support and success, year upon year.
The event even attracts international support. Karl and Sara Longbottom from the UK says it is the third Garden Route Kite festival they are participating in. Their colourful phoenix-shaped kites and white doves stood out against the more traditional kites.
Ive been designing kites for about 35 years now. I try to make things which look unusual that are different and difficult to make fly. Something that has a bit more impact than the same diamond shaped kite all the time. So were always looking for something that is not necessarily bigger, but more complex, colourful, unusual shapes. Weve come many times. 2009 was our first visit, thats when we came to the kite festival in Cape Town but we also visited the Kruger Park and have done many of them since then.
The Garden Route Kite festival is in aid of the local NPO, Masithandane. Chairperson of the organisation and organiser of the festival, Jackie Weaver explains
I think this is the biggest crowd ever, the most stall holders, so its an economic advantage for people. But most of all it will raise funds for the bursary fund, for the children that have to go all the way to George or Knysna for school because theres no transport system. So yes its a wonderful privilege and pleasure to be here today.
