The official drop-off point for the national 67 Blankets for Madiba Day initiative will be at the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment Office in New Street.
The official drop-off point for the national 67 Blankets for Madiba Day initiative will be at the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment Office in New Street.
The initiative was founded by Carolyn Steyn after she was challenged to knit 67 blankets in time for International Mandela Day on 18 July by Zelda La Grange, Nelson Mandela’s former personal assistant.
It calls on people from around the world to knit, sew or crochet a blanket to help keep someone warm this winter.
Blankets will be distributed on International Mandela Day.
The initiative has grown to include international participation, and is supported by the Department of Arts and Culture.
"I gladly accepted Zelda’s challenge but soon realised that I wouldn’t be able to achieve it alone," Steyn said.
"I then called on my friends for help and developed the 67 Blankets for Madiba Day Facebook page. My friends shared the page with their friends… and in just two weeks, hundreds of people from around the world have pledged to knit a blanket for Mandela Day.”
The President’s Award’s Grahamstown Youth Committee will distribute the blankets on Mandela Day to needy individuals and organisations identified by the Youth Committee.
The organisation will work with other organisations that already have an annual knitting campaign, so as to ensure that it builds on already existing blanket knitting initiatives in Grahamstown.
The staff at the President’s Award Office have committed themselves to making a blanket as part of this new initiative.
“It has been a great initiative to be part of,” said Martin Scholtz, the CEO.
“My grandmother taught me to knit many years ago and it’s amazing how quickly one picks it up again – albeit at a very slow knitting pace.”
Participants may knit a blanket for a standerd-sized single bed (150cm x 200cm) or a baby blanket size approx. (90 cm x 110 cm).
Colours and patterns are entirely your choice and all blankets must be handmade.
The deadline is 1 July.
Completed blankets can be dropped off at The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment Offices, 51 New Street.
