67 Blankets has shared a video of the Gauteng HQ and its empty shelves, only they are not worried, but rather celebrating the achievement.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 June 2026) – It is always stressful for charities when shelves are empty, but in this case, 67 Blankets is celebrating the achievement. That is because empty shelves mean that 3,000 blankets are making their way to South Africans in need. Empty shelves symbolise change, warmth and success.
Each year, thousands of Knit-Wits (an affectionate term) spend hours crafting beautiful blankets for 67 Blankets. These are usually collected on a big fun day, where their efforts are celebrated, and then stored at HQ until the day comes that they are shipped off to organisations that care for the vulnerable.
These 3,000 blankets have been shipped out to cancer wards, old age homes and organisations throughout Gauteng. And the best part, this video only represents Gauteng. This very same thing is happening everywhere the KnitWits for 67 Blankers are united.
In December 2013, Zelda la Grange, late former President Nelson Mandela’s trusted assistant, presented philanthropist and ‘Arts Angel’ Carolyn Steyn with a challenge: knit, sew or crochet 67 blankets in honour of their friend Madiba.
These blankets would then be distributed to those in need on Mandela Day, an official day declared by the UN in 2009.
Carolyn gladly accepted Zelda’s challenge and called on her friends for help. This inspired her to create a Facebook group called “67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day”. In just days, hundreds of people from around the world had pledged to knit a blanket for Nelson Mandela Day.
Today, the organisation is a national (and even international) movement. Teams across South Africa work tirelessly to make sure people in need have warm blankets stitched together with love.
You can also join the 67 Blankets cause and become a KnitWit via their Facebook group here. In the group, you will be able to connect with fellow KntWits in your area, collaborate on community-based projects, chat directly with the leaders of the organisation and stay up to date with exciting projects.
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