Meet local 67 Blankets ambassador, Velly Matsebatlela
Velly Matsebatlela said that her ability to interact with people at all levels and problem solving are her secret skills.
Meet Velly Matsebatlela. When she is not hiking at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, she is warming the hearts of many across Joburg as an ambassador of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela campaign.
Ferndale based, Matsebatlela has a deep connection with 67 Blankets. She heard about it from a friend and as a retired school principal, she was planning to get involved with a non-government organisation (NGO). She heard about what Carolyn Steyn, founder of the campaign, was doing and this seemed serendipitous given her family’s connection to the Steyn family.
Douw Steyn made it possible for Velly to study her BA Ed and her master’s degree, for which she is so grateful. When she retired, she became a full-time ‘knit-wit’, and she is one of the most active 67 Blankets ambassadors.
She says the best thing about 67 Blankets is meeting people, making friends and teaching people to knit and crotchet. “In the end, I am still a teacher,” she said.
She enjoys crocheting, cooking, baking, reading and travelling.
Matsebatlela explained that some of the challenges she faced and overcame in life and her career were leadership and management in a high school environment.
“Now as a retired school principal, I wish to see all school children learning crocheting and knitting skills. Because the skill is highly therapeutic. It will help to calm down most of the youngsters. It will sharpen their concentration span because it involves counting, increasing and decreasing stitches when using patterns. It will teach them to love and appreciate what they are doing. Above all, it will take them away from the streets.”
She is also involved in crocheting and knitting groups, visiting charity homes, parkrun, jumble sales at church, community braais and the yearly Easter egg hunt for children, all the projects and events in the community.
“I love my community because there is mutual respect and caring for one another. In this community, we know one another because of the association that was formed in the late 90’s. Our area has gate-controlled security which makes it safe and clean. There are interesting yearly activities that we all enjoy including the police information sharing on safety and security (once a month). These are some of the things that bring us as a community together.”
She hopes to inspire and impact those around her by always being humble and smiling.
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