(Carolyn Steyn
surrounded by the blankets piling up
for the Guinness Book of Records
challenge)
At the beginning of 2014, well-known ballet patron Carolyn
Steyn responded to a suggestion for a craft-related project that started off
small but blew out of all imaginings within a matter of months.
At the birthday lunch of Steyn’s husband (Johannesburg
businessman Douw Steyn), their friend Zelda la Grange (PA to the late legendary former South African President, Nelson Mandela), suggested to Steyn that she
would really like to generate a project whereby people could honour Madiba’s memory
by creating something with their hands.
Steyn’s response that she only knew how to knit or crochet
brought forth the idea from la Grange to do 67 blankets in time to distribute
them on Nelson Mandela Day in July 2014.
(Entrenched by the
Nelson Mandela Foundation, the number 67 represents the impact Mandela made on
the world “starting from 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human
rights of every South African”.)
Steyn approached friends in the performing arts world for
their support and endorsement and before long, the Facebook project went viral
and those 67 blankets rapidly escalated like wildfire as creatives around South
Africa and the rest of the world became captivated by the idea.
“To my surprise, we managed to collect over 6,000 blankets
instead, thanks to our global base of loyal supporters or "KnitWits for
Madiba" as we like to call ourselves,” explains Steyn. “Over the past
year, many people have asked me how they could get involved in this incredible
initiative, despite the fact that they can’t knit or crochet. We now have a
solution.”
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has established drop-off
points across the country for wool donations. The wool will then be distributed
to knitting enthusiasts and transformed into beautiful blankets for those less
fortunate.
“There are so many people out there who can and want to
knit, but don’t have the resources to do so,” Steyn continues. “For example, we
have just officially launched the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative
at the Zonderwater Correctional Centre. The prisoners have already crocheted a
number of squares for us and are so eager to make thousands more - they just
need the materials. That’s where you come in! We hope that in the spirit of
Christmas, South Africans will donate generously. We do not accept money and
trade only in wool. In fact, we rely on the "good wool" of
people." says Steyn.
Taking this incredible project one step further ... The
leading manufacturer of wool in South Africa, Saprotex, will produce yarn
specially spun for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. This will be available
in all wool shops throughout South Africa from February 2015, and a portion of
the proceeds of each sale will go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Each ball
will come with a free pattern.
As Steyn says: “KnitWits for Madiba, we are not even a year
old!! Together we will be going places in 2015. Holding hands, we will reach
even greater heights! I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom
of my heart for helping create this Knitting Revolution for Madiba. In under a
year, we have become a force to be reckoned with!! We created and distributed
over 6,000 blankets by July 18 2014 (Mandela Day) - and we are not even a year
old!”
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day also beat corporate
giants Coca-Cola, KFC, Kellogg's and Knorr to win the Campaign of the Year!
“We have crossed every social divide and brought communities
together from all walks of life. People who would never ordinarily have met
have come together through "good-wool",” adds Steyn. “We have
children and adults - and men! - knitting and we are weaving the fabric of our
society together with bright, colourful thread. We have knitted on Robben
Island, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, at the Capture Site in Howick, at
schools, at old age homes, peoples' homes, in restaurants, at the Auto and
General Theatre on the Square, at the Market Theatre. We have knitted in the strangest
of places - Rachelle Potgieter knitted on the back of a camel!!”
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was scripted into the
story line of Generations with an
audience of 10 million a night! It was also scripted into Johannesburg stage
productions Doo Bee Boobies and in Peter Pan. It made world news -
including the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, Fox News and Yahoo News -
with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day being officially launched at
Zonderwater Prison.
Steyn is confident that in April 2015, the project will
break the world record by placing 9,000 blankets (made in every corner of South
Africa) at the feet of Madiba by covering the grounds of the Union Buildings
with a sea of colourful blankets.
“I will be eternally grateful to one of the greatest men the
world has ever known for all he has shown and taught us.” Steyn says. “In each
and every stitch we make we will continue his legacy for all the years to come.
You will live in our hearts forever. Thank you. Tata Madiba.”
If you would like to contribute wool, and help those in
need, visit the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) Facebook
Group or visit www.67blankets.co.za
NB: Stand by for
important dates mid January and mid-February for KZN Blanket handovers
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