The class of 2025 have entered their high school years; the girls joining Jeppe High School for Girls were asked to knit blanket squares to hand in on the first day.
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 February 2021) – Jeppe High School for Girls has had a long-standing relationship with the 67 Blankets for Mandela Day initiative. As part of their orientation for the new Grade 8 students, they asked that each girl knit or crochet a blanket square for the charity.
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 of July, Mandela’s birthday. The United Nations officially declared the day 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.
Jeppe High School for Girls has played a vital role during this time. Often lending a helping hand as volunteers at the various events hosted by 67 Blankets. They helped with rolling out the world’s longest scarf, which earned a World Record.
By getting the new grade 8 girls involved with making a simple blanket square, they are setting the tone for all the good to be done throughout their time at the school.
The blanket squares will go towards making full-size blankets that will be distributed to young and old.
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