A partnership between community volunteers and local organisations brought comfort to vulnerable families at Witkoppen Clinic ahead of Nelson Mandela Day, with more than 160 patients receiving handcrafted scarves and beanies to help them through the winter.

The donation was led by the Cedar Lakes Estate KnitWits as part of the national 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day campaign, which encourages volunteers across South Africa to knit blankets, scarves, and beanies for communities in need.

Members of the knitting group spent months creating the handmade items before distributing them to patients, including mothers and babies, at the clinic.

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“We handed out scarves and beanies to around 160 people, including mothers and babies. People were very happy, and everybody received either a scarf or a beanie,” said Cedar Lakes KnitWits leader Denise Brennan.

“This was Cedar Lakes Estate’s Mandela Day project. While we completed our handover before Mandela Day, 67 Blankets has similar projects taking place across the country.”

Business development manager at Witkoppen Clinic Elaine Ngwenya said the donation came at a time when many patients are facing difficult financial circumstances.

“Our patients come from very impoverished communities, such as Diepsloot and Kya Sands, and access healthcare here because it is affordable. If families struggle to afford healthcare, it becomes even more difficult to buy winter clothing or other basic necessities.”

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The day’s outreach extended beyond winter clothing.

Commrisk Insurance Brokers also donated warm meals for antenatal and postnatal patients, ensuring many families left the clinic with both nourishment and comfort.

Nadia Sithole, of Commrisk Insurance Brokers, said supporting the clinic was the company’s way of giving back to the community in the spirit of Nelson Mandela Day.

“We chose Witkoppen Clinic as one of our Mandela Day beneficiaries because we believe it is important to give back to the community. We are fortunate enough to have a meal every day, but many people are not.”

Ngwenya said partnerships with community organisations allow the clinic to provide care that extends beyond medical treatment.

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“As a clinic, we care for patients holistically.

That means looking beyond healthcare to whether families have enough food, warm clothing, and other essentials. Community donations help us meet those needs and strengthen the care we provide.”

She encouraged residents, businesses, and community groups wishing to support the clinic to donate good-quality clothing or non-perishable food items. Donations can be arranged by contacting businessd@witkoppen.co.za.

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