Rainbow 67 Blankets
Photo Credit: On File

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!

 

These blankets would then be distributed to those in need on Mandela Day. In honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on the 18th July, Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in 2009.

Carolyn gladly accepted Zelda’s challenge but soon she called on her friends for help and developed 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.

Since then, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has transformed into what some are calling a “movement” – a movement that has captured the attention of many South African and international celebrities as well as corporates and “KnitWits for Madiba” in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London, the US and India.

In its short history, the campaign has realized some important milestones. After just nine months, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day won CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR at the South African of the Year Awards in October 2014.

On April 21, 2015, to mark 21 years of democracy in South Africa 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day smashed the Guinness World Record for the “The Largest Crochet Blanket in the World” measuring 3,377 square meters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

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On August 7, 2015 Carolyn Steyn signed an MOU with National Commissioner, Zach Modise, formalising a partnership between 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day and the Department of Correctional Services whereby every prison in South Africa will have the initiative introduced as part of their curriculum.

The partnership is born from the shared belief that every person can change for the better, if nurtured, and deserves a second chance.

The initiative is being used as a means of rehabilitation and skills development as well as enabling those incarcerated to integrate within the broader society, knitting in the name of the greatest prisoner of them all – Nelson Mandela. “Knitting broken lives together” is the rallying call – weaving the fabric of our nation together with bright, colourful thread.

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On April 22, 2016 67 Blankets regained its place in the Guinness Book of World Records, beating India in the “Wool Cup”.

At Drakenstein Correctional Centre in the Western Cape, over 10 000 blankets measuring 17 188 square meters made by thousands of “KnitWits for Madiba”, including prisoners in approximately 60 Correctional Centres around South Africa.

The Minister of Correctional Centres, Michael Masutha acknowledged Carolyn Steyn and 67 Blankets in his Budget Vote Speech in Parliament on May 3, 2016. The theme of his keynote address was “Knitting Broken Lives and our Nation Together, the Rallying Call for 67 Blankets. Over 7 000 blankets was distributed to communities in need across South Africa in 2015.

This year approximately 15000 blankets will be distributed to more communities in need across our Country.

On July 9, 2016 as it being Mandela Month. 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the third time. This time at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City (in front of the giant statue of Nelson Mandela), with a blanket measuring 1378.28 square meters. This attempt was for the world’s largest hand knitted blankets (non crochet).

“We rallied our nation: woman, children, men and even prisoners. Together we answered the rallying call “Knitting Broken Lives and our Nation Together”.”

67 Blankets has also been woven into the script of “Generations” for the 3rd year in a row, as a matter of “national importance” according to the producer of the mighty Soap opera.

Journalist Cathy Dipnall has written about 67 Blankets being “an initiative that is binding together our nation in a way no government has been able to achieve”.

You are invited to join this incredible initiative, which has become a “Knitting Revolution for Nelson Mandela”!! Stitch by stitch, we pledge to keep thousands upon thousands of people less fortunate than ourselves in South Africa and around the world warmer in all the winters to come in the name of our beloved Nelson Mandela. His legacy lives on in each blanket we produce with our own two hands.

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Sources: 67 Blankets

About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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