THE desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others has caused an Amanzimtoti woman to use the knitting skill that she learned as a child to make blankets and keep those less fortunate warm during the winter months.

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Linda Zama is part of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day non-profit organisation, which has made and donated thousands of blankets to orphans, street children, the elderly and others in need over the past nine years. The project was founded by Carolyn Steyn after she was challenged by the late President Nelson Mandela’s assistant, Zelda le Grange, to make 67 blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. The initiative is made up of people from all walks of life whose sole aim is to keep others warm, one ball of wool at a time.

A lawyer by profession, Linda is a special advisor to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. “I had an opportunity to work with Nelson Mandela, and I share his values and what he stood for. By being part of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, I’m part of an effort to spread goodwill across all races,” she said.

As a 10-year-old girl, Linda learned how to knit from her grandmother, and at the time, she did not have access to proper knitting needles. “We used to cut the long stem of the hyparrhenia grass and harden it by placing it near the fire. Those were our knitting needles, and the foundation was laid,” said Linda.

A statement from 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day said a growing number of keen volunteers are joining in the fun in the province and are busy working towards knitting hundreds of blankets for the needy for June.

“The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day project invites the people of KZN, regardless of age, gender, creed or race, to get involved and help keep someone warm in winter. Get your friends together to make a communal blanket. Encourage your children to learn the crafts of crochet and knitting. Get your school, book club, place of worship, and colleagues involved. Spend time creating something for someone you’ll probably never meet, and feel the rewards that flow from giving, sharing and community,” the statement said.

To find out more about how you can get involved, send an email to info@67blankets.co.za or go to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook.

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