‘Knitwits’ proud to turn 10

It all started with a Facebook post when the founder of 67 Blankets non-profit organisation Carolyn Steyn summoned good Samaritans to contribute towards the 67 Minutes for Nelson Mandela Day campaign.

Steyn said the post was a call for volunteers after she was challenged by the former personal assistant of the late Nelson Mandela, Zelda La Grange, to make 67 blankets for Madiba Day in 2013. This is when the organisation was founded and grew wings.

“I turned to social media to gather support in meeting that target. Ten years later, this initiative has grown into a global movement mobilising thousands of active members in South Africa and worldwide to crochet and knit blankets and scarves. It is truly a demonstration of the true meaning of ‘Ubuntu’.”

Westdene resident and avid 67 Blankets contributor, Bridget van Oerle said that some of their most memorable successes include; “Interventions at correctional facilities to help rehabilitate prison inmates by teaching them how to make blankets for people on the outside whose lives have been affected by crime and poverty. To date, 67 Blankets has distributed hundreds of thousands of handmade blankets and scarves to those in need, setting four Guinness World Records in the process.”

Knitting for a good cause has galvanised stitchers with a singular mission – to provide the vulnerable and needy with warm and handmade items.

On January 27, distinguished guests such as the president of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, the man behind The Good Things Guy website, Brent Lindeque, school choirs from in and around Fourways, and others all convened to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of 67 Blankets at Steyn City.

There is a lot that they have achieved through the organisation over the years and Steyn did not miss the opportunity to express her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the organisation for their unwavering support since its inception.

Bridget van Oerle said that some of their most memorable successes include; “Interventions at correctional facilities to help rehabilitate prison inmates by teaching them how to make blankets for people on the outside whose lives have been affected by crime and poverty. To date, 67 Blankets has distributed hundreds of thousands of handmade blankets and scarves to those in need, setting four Guinness World Records in the process.”

The event ended with a cute and jovial song called Corrie’s which was written for the occasion. Attendees sang along to, ‘We crochet and knit and chat up a storm and grow and grow’.

Steyn said, “I would like to congratulate every ambassador and the KnitWits for Madiba, on their amazing contributions over the years. I look forward to many more years celebrating our 20th, and even our 30th anniversaries. “Stitch by stitch we are knitting lives and nations together. I could not be prouder of our amazing ‘close-knit’ 67 Blankets family. I only wish my parents were still alive to see how I am living a purpose-filled life. They would be so proud. And I wish that Madiba was still alive to witness this knitting and crochet revolution in his name.”

Related Article: The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela is available at Exclusive Books