Join the crochet revolution for Madiba
JOHANNESBURG – 67 Blankets for Mandela Day is trying to reclaim its world record for the biggest crocheted blanket because it was just smashed by a blanket measuring an incredible 11 149m² in India.
67 Blankets is calling on South Africans everywhere to pick up a crochet needle and some wool and help them make thousands of blankets to mark 22 years of our country’s democracy. If everything goes according to plan, those blankets will be spread around the statue of Nelson Mandela at the Drakenstein Prison in the Western Cape on 22 April.
“There are thousands of people calling out for wool. They have the ‘will’ but not the ‘wool’,” said Carolyn Steyn, the founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. She added that it did not matter whether you knew how to crochet or not, if you want to be part of the initiative you can donate wool or money.
“South Africans love nothing more than a challenge and I believe that together we are weaving our nation together with the advent of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. Together we can smash India’s record. We just need to all come on board and crochet faster,” said Steyn.
Even prisoners across the country have joined the revolution for Madiba and their blankets will form part of the display. The blankets will be taken to Drakenstein by Stuttaford Van Lines and Airlink, and after the display, they will be transported back to their places of origin, just in time to be handed out to those in need before winter strikes. This is in keeping with the idea of making every day a Mandela Day.
“As a result, many more thousands of people living in dire need will be kept warmer over all the winters to come, in the name of our beloved Nelson Mandela. We will keep his legacy [and the ideals for which he stood], alive with each every stitch that we make with our own two hands,” Steyn concluded.
Crocheted blankets should ideally be single bed size, which is 140cmx180cm and be handed in by 1 April.
Find the local 67 Blankets ambassador in your region by visiting www.67blankets.co.za
If you would like to donate wool contact info@67blankets.co.za
If you would like to donate money for wool, or show your support for the initiative, the banking details are:
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day NPC
Investec Bank Limited
Branch Code 58 01 05
Current account
Account number 10011758149.
Details: www.67blankets.co.za; @67Blankets
