Media Alert: DCAS supports local kiters' journey to China | Western Cape Government

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Media Alert: DCAS supports local kiters' journey to China

7 April 2016

On Monday, 11 April 2016, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in partnership with Cape Mental Health, will be sending off two kiters,  Ashley and Sarah Maria Ware-Lane, to participate in the Weifang Kite Festival and the Beijing Kite Festival.

DCAS has an on-going partnership with the Shandong Sports Bureau in China. Through this partnership, local athletes are given the opportunity to participate in sporting events in China, while the Western Cape also hosts Chinese athletes.

Cape Mental Health are the official organisers of the Cape Town International Kite Festival.  Ashley and Sarah Maria Ware-Lane have been actively involved with the Festival for a number of years and have been keen kiters for the past 10 years. They will now have the opportunity to participate in these two festivals in China.

“Our kiting advisors will show the world how we use the symbol of the kite as a message of hope for people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. Our Cape Town International Kite Festival has become the biggest mental health awareness event in South Africa, and has been raising funds and awareness for more than two decades,” said Ingrid Daniels, Director of Cape Mental Health, the organisation that manages and hosts the Cape Town International Kite Festival, Africa’s biggest kite festival.

Anroux Marais, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, says that her department is committed to supporting local athletes. “We need to offer our athletes opportunities to participate on an international level so that they can showcase and grow their talent. We are committed to talent identification and skills development as it enables our sportspeople to compete at international level and display their excellence honed in the Western Cape.” she says.

All media are invited to attend. Photo opportunities will be available.

Date: 11 April 2016

Time: 10:00

Venue: Cape Mental Health, Observatory

Media Enquiries: 

Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za