The hugest happiness blanket in the world is set to be unveiled this month in the Eastern Cape.
Summerstrand, South Africa (10 March 2025) — Thousands of individual handmade blankets will soon come together to form the ‘hugest happiness blanket in the world’. Set to be unveiled in the Eastern Cape at the Nelson Mandela University’s Second Avenue Campus on 20 March, the installation will mark the International Day of Happiness like never before.
With a giant, yellow smiley ‘emoji’ to be displayed as the heart of the installation, the message of the massive blanket is clear: When multiple acts of kindness (symbolised by the handmade blankets surrounded smiley) come together, happiness is the destination.
Knitwits have been hard at work for months all over South Africa. Each has poured their time and craft into the project.
Facilitated by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, all the work has paid off as the countdown to the big reveal winds down.
But the hugest happiness blanket isn’t just for show.
Ahead of winter, the blankets are set to be distributed to those in need, with one out of four blankets remaining in Gqeberha. These will head to Missionvale Care Centre, Umphanda Foundation for Autism, and Ekuphumleni Elderly Home, with special handovers on 20 and 21 March, marking Human Rights Day and reinforcing the right to human dignity.
Nelson Mandela University’s hosting of the installation is also significant. 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was founded by Carolyn Steyn after Zelda La Grange (Madiba’s former personal assistant) challenged her to the initiative in December 2013. As such, hosting the blanket at the only university in the world to carry Nelson Mandela’s name amplifies a full circle moment and a nod to Madiba’s values.
Says Carolyn:
“It’s a privilege to bring this initiative to Nelson Mandela University, a place that embodies Madiba’s values of compassion and community upliftment, under the perfect banner of happiness and unity.”
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The University’s Dr Bruce Damons shares:
“The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day installation is more than a vibrant display of warmth; it stands as a living testament to our commitment to serving society through initiatives that uphold human dignity and foster community solidarity.
Dr Damons adds, “At Nelson Mandela University, we recognise that meaningful engagement emerges at the intersection of academia, civil society, industry, and government, where knowledge and compassion converge to drive transformative change.
Make the Blanket Bigger
- Donate a blanket: Locate your nearest ambassador via the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day website. Deliver your handmade blankets before the deadline, or bring them along if attending the event. Drop-off points are also available at all Nelson Mandela University libraries.
- Be part of the event: Join in on 20 March at the University’s Second Avenue Campus to experience the installation and celebrate the International Day of Happiness in a meaningful way.
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