(Nibs
van der Spuy)
On June 15 2014, KZN ‘knit-wits’ from
Zululand, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands and the Drakensberg, will
congregate at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick for a good cause.
The cause is 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela
Day – an initiative that aims to collect thousands of handmade blankets which
will be distributed to those in need on Nelson Mandela Day (18 July).
According to Carolyn Steyn, Founder of 67
Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day: “This Father’s Day, we’ll be celebrating the
father of our nation by hosting a concert organised by actress and our Midlands
Ambassador, Annie Robinson, for our loyal ‘knit-wits’ who have been working so
hard to create blankets for those less fortunate. Stitch by stitch we will be
keeping people around our beautiful country – and around the world – warm this
winter.”
The ‘knit-wits’ are in for a special treat
with performances by acclaimed South African troubadour, Nibs van der Spuy; passionate
and versatile musician, Kaolin Thomson; one of South Africa's leading concert
pianists, Christopher Duigan; Pietermaritzburg based musician and Idols
finalist Erin Fourie, and Steyn’s goddaughter, Ella Grealy.
“Even if you are not a ‘knit-wit’ – join us
for a great day out,” adds Steyn. “Dads are invited to join in, too ….it is,
after all, Father’s Day!
“Hundreds of the handmade blankets will be
on display at the foot of the famous statue of Madiba for an official
photograph,” she continues. “This photograph will illustrate the goodwill of
South Africans and show the world the impact the father of our nation, Nelson
Mandela has had on all of us. Already, we have collected over 670 blankets – we
hope to collect hundreds more from our Kwa-Zulu Natal based ‘knit-wits’.”
Sound equipment and stage has been kindly
sponsored by Selbys. The MC for the day will be Brendan Grealy who has been
involved with the development of the Mandela Capture Site since its inception.
The 67
Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Concert will take place on June 15 at the
Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick. The concert starts at 12h00 with the Blanket
Handover taking place at 14h30. There will be a designated 67 Blankets for
Nelson Mandela Day parking area. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own
picnic baskets and picnic blankets. Food and drinks can also be purchased at
the Capture Site.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day started
as a challenge but has quickly grown into what some are calling a movement.
It’s captured the attention of thousands of South Africans as well as
corporates and hundreds of people in the UK, Australia, New Zealand. Canada,
Germany, Cyprus, London, the US, and India. Joining the 67 Blankets for Nelson
Mandela Day movement is easy. The only requirement is that the single bed
sized blanket or baby blanket has to be handmade – no store bought blankets
will be accepted. Blankets can be knitted or crocheted and should measure 150
cm x 200 cm. Most importantly, those who pledge to make a blanket must
please keep their promise and complete the blanket or blankets by July 1, 2014.
For more information, contact Annie Robinson on email: abgrealy@iafrica.com; visit www.67blankets.com; Twitter @67blankets
and Facebook 67
Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day
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