67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder Carolyn Steyn, left, with Niso Smith of Constantia.
Knitting rocks! That’s the message that came across at the launch of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’s coffee table book of the same name, at Exclusive Books, Cavendish Square on Tuesday August 23.
The charity encourages people to make blankets for the needy, and the book looks back on the decade since its beginnings in December 2013 after Nelson Mandela’s former assistant, Zelda la Grange, challenged Carolyn Steyn to knit 67 blankets to support the annual Mandela Day.
Since then, the organisation has mobilised thousands of active members locally and abroad to make blankets and scarves for distribution to those in need, and it has set some world records along the way.
The book records the experiences and views of those who made the blankets and those who received them and the many organisations and schools who contributed to the project between 2013 and 2022.
From left, Duncan MacAskill of Rondebosch, 67 Blankets ambassador Jaco Lötter from Johannesburg and Peter Lombard from Claremont.67 Blankets ambassador Annie Robinson-Grealy from Johannesburg with Zelda le Grange, also from Johannesburg, and Ella Grealy from Newlands.67 Blankets ambassador Riaan Beetge with Saki Varonou, both from Welgemoed.Sairah Muller and Naadiyah Goosen of Fish Hoek promoting knitting and crochet.Cassy Dick, Molly Henry and Maryanne Ameeroedien, all from the Southfield library’s Knit Wits group.Jan Visser, Denise Visser and Steven Nyanzira, all from Crafters Den in Bergvliet.Dilshaad Hargey from Lansdowne library’s Knit Wits with Lyn Ely from Grassy Park. Picture: Karen WatkinsThembikazi Ndubandubane of Parklands with a copy of the book.Pat Ladds of Table View brought a crocheted blanket she had made.Brian and Irene Oxley from Scarborough. Irene organised a display of 67 Blankets in Longbeach Mall for Mandela Day in July.From left, Barbara Russell of Rondebosch, Fatima Daniels of Lansdowne and Sandi King of Rondebosch.Kevin and Elise Tait from Johannesburg. He is the former manager of Jeppe Girls High School who took up the challenge to make blankets.
