KnitWits honour Tata’s legacy
Blanket initiate celebrates the ethos and the legacy of a man who united South Africans in a time of uncertainty.
TO COMMEMORATE South Africa’s 21 years of democracy, the Union Buildings in Pretoria were awash with a sea of colour on Tuesday, 21 April as blankets made by the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day KnitWits were all displayed in one location.
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang, said, “We are honoured to be associated with this initiative, which we hope will help build a more cohesive society, especially during these trying times faced by our country. We hope it will help stitch our wounded nation together and restore dignity. We would like to thank each one of the KnitWits who helped make a dream of keeping those in need warm this winter.”
This award-winning Mandela Day initiative celebrates the ethos and the legacy of a man who united South Africans in a time of uncertainty. For many months, the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day group encouraged South Africans to knit, sew or crochet a blanket. This has managed to knit together communities in such a positive way, and will continue to do so going forward.
The project, which celebrated its first anniversary in January, has attracted KnitWits not only from South Africa but globally, and they heeded the call to ‘take up needles and hooks’ to make blankets to keep people warm. There are groups not only in South Africa but also the USA, India , Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London and in the Netherlands.
“This world record-breaking attempt is just one step in our incredible journey – one which promises to, stitch by stitch, keep South Africans warm in winter,” added Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
For more information visit www.67blankets.co.za.
