These ‘knitwits’ are at it again
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has transformed into what some are calling a movement.
Guvon Hotels proudly joined the Knitwits of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela movement three years ago.
Since then their enthusiasm for this heartwarming project has grown, and blanket contributions have tripled, with the last donation this month totalling a whopping 183 blankets.
In December 2013, Zelda la Grange, the late former President Nelson Mandela’s trusted assistant, presented philanthropist and ‘Arts Angel’ Carolyn Steyn with a challenge: knit, sew or crochet 67 blankets. These blankets would then be distributed to those in need on Mandela Day. One year later, Guvon Hotels and Spas got wind of this great idea, picked up the knitting needles and crochet hooks and joined the movement.
Since then, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has transformed into what some are calling a movement that has captured the attention of many South African and international celebrities as well as corporates and “KnitWits for Madiba” in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London, the US and India.
Carolyn and her team took ownership of 183 blankets at the Guvon Hotels head office. The blankets were the result of a combined effort from all the hotels in the group, and the Guvon Academy.
And the best part of the day after the staff excitement, the certificate handouts, the plethora of social media pics and hashtags? … Caroline stopped her car just outside our head office and handed one of our blankets to an elderly woman on the side of the road. That’s how a nation is ‘knitted’ together … one blanket at a time.
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