July in South Africa is Nelson Mandela Month, a month to celebrate the life and legacy of our former President Nelson Mandela.

For the knitwits of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela this means it’s time for secret scarf warmth to be spread. This annual activation, which is in its seventh year, is a colourful and joyous way of spreading “GoodWool”.

This year the Secret Scarf Shhhh – #SSS will take place on Wednesday July 6 at identified sites around the country from 14:30 onwards .

Following on from the hugely successful Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope which happened in May this year when over 4 500 blankets were given to Gift of the Givers to distribute in KwaZulu-Natal, the secret scarf mission continues with the theme of thanking the healthcare workers for their incredible work and sacrifices they made over the last 28 months.

“We are so excited that we can all come out after a long lockdown into a changed world and pay tribute to the healthcare workers and continue with the theme of hope for the rainbow nation. I cannot thank our knitwits enough for their commitment that continues to bring warmth to people across our nation every year.

This year we have seen a greater involvement from learners at schools across the country, both at junior and high school levels, which brings a youthful enthusiasm to the blanket family,” said Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.

Thousands of scarves have been hand-made with care for this initiative, and each scarf will have a 67 Blankets label with a special message attached which reads “I AM NOT LOST. IF YOU ARE COLD AND NEED ME, PLEASE TAKE ME. WITH LOVE, 67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY”.

The #SSS Secret Scarf Shhhh…. Will take place at the following venues across the country

Cities and venues:

Johannesburg:

• Helen Joseph Hospital – Perth Rd, Rossmore at the main entrance at 15:00

• St Teresa’s School – Scarves will be put along Keys Ave at 07:30

• Park Care – Escombe Ave, Parktown at 15:00

• REEA Epilepsy Centre – Cnr Richmond and Marlboro Ave, Craighall Park at 15:00

White River:

• Rob Ferreira Hospital – Generaal Dan Pienaar Drive, Nelspruit and 15:00

Gqeberha:

• Athlone Street and Buffelsfontein Rd, Mount Pleasant Park at 15:00

Cape Town:

• Lady Michael Day Hospital – Burnham Rd, Plumstead at 15:00

• Cnr Kromboom Rd and Jan Smuts Drive Athlone at 15:00

• Belville South Civic Centre and Library – Kasselsvlei Rd Belville at 15:00

Mossel Bay:

• Kwanonqaba Mall – Adriaan Street entrance at 15:00

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