October is International Mental Health Awareness Month, encouraging us all to prioritise self-care and well-being, both for ourselves and for those around us.
Cape Town is buzzing with events throughout October, providing plenty of ways to explore self-care in dynamic and diverse forms. From music healing tours and a colourful kite festival to spa specials, yoga sessions, and wellness summits, there’s something for everyone.
Here are 15 standout activities to help elevate your mental health journey this October.
Soar your kite high for Mental Health Awareness Month
The 30th annual Cape Town International Kite Festival, hosted by Cape Mental Health, is set to fill the skies with vibrant colors on Sunday, 27 October at Melkbosstrand Beach.
This free event features stunning displays by local and international kiters, including Mari and Bradley Ware-Lane, Bobby Gathoo, and Brian Skinner. The festival aims to raise awareness for mental health while providing a unique, uplifting experience for participants of all ages.
Cost: Free entry
When: Sunday, 27 October 2024, all day
Where: Melkbosstrand Beach, Cape Town
Join the HOPE HIKE and walk for mental health awareness
Hope plays a vital role in addressing mental health, and this is the foundation of the Ithemba event, meaning “hope” in isiXhosa. The Hope Hike is a virtual and in-person event, offering participants the chance to walk for a good cause and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
The in-person Hope Hike is held at the picturesque Delvera wine estate on the R44, just outside Stellenbosch. Opt for a 5 km or 10 km hike or tackle the challenging 7 km trail up Klapmutskop. Virtual hikers have the flexibility of joining from any location, setting their own pace, and sharing their participation online.
All proceeds from the event goes to support the Ithemba Foundation’s mental health research initiatives. Entries are open until Friday, 25 October and participants stand a chance to win exciting prizes.
Cost: R80 for any distance | Enter here
When: Sunday, 27 Oct | Various times
Where: Delvera Farm, R44, Klapmuts, Stellenbosch | Virtual: Your home or neighbourhood
Wellbeing at Work Summit South Africa 2024
Lead the way in enhancing workplace wellbeing and shaping healthier organisations at the 4th Wellbeing at Work Summit South Africa. This two-day virtual event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with senior HR, reward, wellness, benefits, and business leaders from across the region.
Cost: Free
When: Tue, 22 Oct from 9am to 12.30pm | Wed, 23 Oct from 9.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Virtual | Register here
Cape Town Day of Connection
The Cape Town Day of Connection invites you to explore new earth energies and consciousness. This heart-centred event offers a range of transformative experiences designed to enhance well-being and foster community spirit. Experience group meditation, engaging talks, and workshops throughout the day, while enjoying psychic and tarot readings, mediumship messages, and soothing energy healing.
Cost: R150pp | Booking is essential by 1st October | Tickets available here.
When: Sat, 5th Oct, 10am to 2pm
Where: Stoep Startup Coworking Space, 3 Tiverton Rd, Plumstead, Cape Town
Mbuso Khoza: Ifa Lomkhono Tour at Suncoast Barnyard
Celebrate the powerful blend of traditional Zulu music and contemporary jazz with renowned South African artist Mbuso Khoza. A dedicated advocate for mental health awareness, Khoza uses his platform to honour African heritage while raising vital awareness about mental well-being.
Cost: Prices Vary | For more details and tickets visit Suncoast Barnyard.
When: Wed, 16 Oct | Doors open at 6:00 pm, with the performance starting at 7:00 pm.
Where: The Barnyard Theatre, Tyger valley Shopping Centre, Bellville, Cape Town
Rob van Vuuren: Namaste Bae – Blessings and Kombucha
A healing ceremony unlike any you’ve ever experienced, brought to you by the new age satirical guru taking social media by storm.
Experience a unique evening of comedic enlightenment with South Africa’s very own self-proclaimed oracle of the Mother Scoby, Rob van Vuuren, as he presents his globally acclaimed show Namaste Bae: Blessings and Kombucha. Known for his satirical take on new age spirituality, van Vuuren combines humour with healing in this unforgettable performance.
Cost: From R200 | Limited Tickets Available | Book via website
When: Wednesday, 2 October 2024, at 8:30 pm
Where: Die Boer, Chenoweth Straat 6, Durbanville, Cape Town
FemFest 2024
FemFest 2024 is a dynamic event dedicated to empowering women and celebrating their achievements. Hosted by UCT Connect.Meet.Collaborate at the Protea Hotel Mowbray, this women-only gathering features live musical performances, insightful talks on business and entrepreneurship, discussions on sexual health, and a comedy show.
In line with Mental Health Awareness Month, FemFest emphasises mental well-being through discussions and activities that promote empowerment and self-care, providing a valuable platform for networking and personal growth.
Cost: From R300pp | VIP tickets available | Tickets available via Quicket.
When: Sat, October 26 | From 10am to 6pm.
Where: Protea Hotel Mowbray, 92 Liesbeek Ave, Observatory, Cape Town
Hip Hop As Healing Festival: A Celebration of Hip Hop’s Transformative Power
Cape Town Hip Hop pioneers host the Hip Hop As Healing Festival, initiated by Emile YX?, Dr. Roberto Rivera, and Lacouir Yancey. This six-day festival explores how Hip Hop culture promotes healing and community empowerment, focusing on critical issues like mental health.
Kicking off with a Ground Breaking Ceremony at the Heal the Hood Wellness House in Grassy Park on September 30, the festival features school visits, music showcases, aerosol art exploration, and activities that highlight Hip Hop’s positive impact on mental health and community building.
Cost: From R50pp | Check specific event pages for details and booking.
When: Tues 1 Oct to Sun 6 Oct | Times vary
Where: Various venues in Cape Town
Community & Mental Health Convention 2024
The Community & Mental Health Convention 2024 is a three-day event during Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to advancing discussions and solutions focused on mental health and community well-being. The convention emphasizes the role of education, collaboration, and community support in addressing mental health challenges.
Key events include a Symposium for organizations and individuals committed to enhancing community impact, a Conference, a Networking Event, an Expo, and Workshops. For more information, you can visit the convention website.
Cost: Varies (Symposium and Workshops require tickets, Expo is free) | Tickets available here.
When: Thursday, 10 Oct to Sat, 12 Oct | Times vary
Where: King of Kings, Corner of Oukaapseweg and Buller Louw Drive, Sunnydale, Cape Town
Sweetbeet x Adidas presents Mindful Movement: Yoga and Meditation with Kathleen Gellatly
Add some fitness to your mental health routine at Canal Walk, where a calming yoga session awaits. Led by JEFF Fitness instructor and mental health advocate Kathleen Gellatly, this session wraps up the Monday Motivation campaign just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. In this 60-minute class, Kathleen guides you through the benefits of yoga and meditation, helping you find balance and relaxation.
Enjoy delicious treats and refreshments from Sweetbeet, and enter to win fantastic spot prizes from sponsors including Adidas, Sweetbeet, Canal Walk, and more.
Cost: R180pp | 14 Oct 2024 18:30 Tickets available via Webtickets.
When: Mon, 14 Oct at 18.30pm | Session starts at 7pm
Where: Centre Court, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town
Stillness Program: 21-Day Guided Meditation for Clarity and Calm
The Stillness Program is a 21-day online guided program designed to enhance efficiency, reduce stress, and promote mental well-being through meditation and presence practices. The program offers two 30-minute sessions daily, with live sessions and recordings for flexibility across time zones.
Upon enrollment, you receive a personal accountability sheet to facilitate your progress, with each session including guided meditation, amounting to a total of 42 live sessions over the 21-day period, promoting a consistent commitment to well-being.
Cost: R1200 (live sessions) | R1800 (live & recordings) | For financial assistance or enquiries, contact: mandy@humanwaking.com
When: From 1 Oct – 21 Oct | Mon to Fri at 6.15am to 6.45am and 6pm to 6.30pm | Weekend sessions from 7am to 7.30am and 5pm to 5.30pm
Where: Online | Register here
The Spa Taster Experience at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa
Take time for yourself this Mental Health Awareness Month with the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa offering that runs until the end of October. Indulge in the Spa Taster experience, featuring a hydrating spa facial and a relaxing hot stone back, neck, and shoulder massage. After this one-hour treatment, savour a glass of sparkling wine and a delightful spa lunch.
Bookings are essential: Telephone: +27 21 437 9060 / Email: thespa@12apostles.co.za
Cost: R2050pp
When: Runs until 31 Oct daily| 8am to 6pm (including public holidays)
Where: Online | Register here
New Voices Programme 2024: Rouge
Artscape proudly presents its New Voices Programme, which spotlights emerging theatre makers. As part of this initiative, experience Annie Akinyi Kamya’s powerful one-woman show, Rouge.
Rouge provides a raw and unfiltered exploration of themes affecting mental well-being, including xenophobia, displacement, abortion, and gender equality. Through the lens of a black, peri-menopausal woman, the show addresses sensitive issues linked to mental health struggles, sparking vital conversations about emotional well-being, identity, and the importance of openly discussing societal pressures.
Cost: R80pp, book via Webtickets
When: Sat, 26 Oct at 2:00 pm | 50-minute interval
Where: Artscape Theatre, DF Malan St, Cape Town City Centre
Concert for Peace
Experience an unforgettable evening of music at the Concert for Peace. Under the baton of Dr Sjoerd Alkema, the Con Spirito Philharmonic features Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s first Oboist, Lisa White, performing Lebrun’s Oboe Concerto No. 1. Clarinettist Annelize de Villiers brings to life Weber’s Clarinet Quintet for Strings, Op. 34, while Loren Ehlers dazzles on the accordion with Pietro Deiro’s Concerto in A.
The concert includes excerpts from Carl Jenkins’s acclaimed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, promising an inspiring night for all.
Cost: R200pp | Tickets available via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 26 October 2024, at 7:00 pm
Where: DRC Uitsig, Mountain View Drive, Ridgeworth, Bellville
Experience Renewal at The Wellness Coach House Event
Join The Wellness Coach House for a transformative experience at the Light House Holistic Venue in Cape Town. This unique healing event invites you to immerse yourself in the holistic practices of essential oils, revitalising movement, and nourishing meals. Designed to refresh both body and mind, offering a serene setting for self-care and rejuvenation.
Cost: R880pp | Book via Webtickets.
When: Saturday, 26 October 2024, from 4:00 pm
Where: Light House Holistic Venue, Cape Town
