(The world-record layout
at Union Buildings in 2015)
Some 340 blankets from the various correctional services in
KZN and 137 blankets from Durban Knitwits (volunteers) have gone to
Drakenstein.
The Department of Correctional Services with 67 Blankets for
Nelson Mandela Day is gearing up to break yet another world record and it is
taking place this month as Freedom Day is celebrated on April 27. The
initiative aims to beat the recent record set by India by laying down its
largest blanket to date on April 22 at Drakenstein Correctional Centre in
Paarl, Western Cape, where Mandela took his first steps to freedom on February 11,
1990.
“We’re going for a new record of 12,000 square metres which
is massive when you consider how impressive our last record was at the Union
Buildings in 2015,” says Carolyn Steyn. “We have chosen 22 April to mark 22
years of our democracy. This year is going to be a memorable day when we cover
the grounds of the very place our dear Madiba first stepped out and felt
freedom underfoot.”
In 2015, a vibrant whirligig of colours graced the grounds
leading up to the Union Building in Pretoria when the 67 Blankets initiative
broke a world record with its 3,377 square metre crocheted blanket, which was
created by KnitWits for Madiba - an endearing name given to all of the
dedicated people who crocheted and knitted squares for this remarkable project.
Not only has the movement broken a record, it has also
achieved Campaign of the Year status since its inception, just two short years
ago in 2014. To top this, on August 7, 2015, Steyn signed an MOU with National
Commissioner of Correctional Services, Zach Modise, formalising a partnership
between the two institutions. This partnership meant that every correctional
centre in South Africa would have the initiative introduced as part of their
curriculum. “We take pride in this programme as it presents an opportunity
where inmates across the country are giving back to society. Key to
rehabilitation is empowering offenders with skills to function effectively in
society upon their release. It is therefore encouraging to see more male
offenders taking part in crocheting, an activity that has always been labelled
to be feminine, yet it fosters discipline, patience and boosts self-esteem,”
says Commissioner Modise.
When former President Nelson Mandela’s assistant Zelda la
Grange presented philanthropist Carolyn Steyn with the challenge to create 67
blankets to give to people in need, little did she know how the project would
fly. “The initiative gives hope for all South Africans to carry Mandela Day
forward and help build a country of Madiba’s dreams,” says Sello Hatang from
the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The project has since grown into an international movement
with KnitWits for Madiba gathering from all corners of the world to knit,
crochet or sew squares and ultimately create blankets to keep people warm in
winter. “It is about knitting in the name of our greatest prisoner of all,
Nelson Mandela. ‘Knitting broken lives together’ is the rallying call,” says Steyn.
Weaving the fabric of our nation together with bright and
colourful threads is a major milestone for Correctional Services as thousands
of incarcerated South African men and women, proudly KnitWits for Madiba, play
an integral part in helping break the new world record.
Breaking this amazing Guinness World Book record at one of
South Africa’s most legendary correctional centre has never happened before.
“The fact that thousands of men and women serving sentences in South Africa
will be largely responsible for keeping thousands upon thousands of people in
impoverished communities warmer over all the winters to come, in the name of
the greatest prisoner of them all, is not only momentous, it is also indicative
of a healing nation,” Steyn says.
Once this record breaking feat is achieved, the blankets
will be returned to the provinces they came from and distributed to the poor
and needy by 67 Blankets. Thanks to Airlink and Stuttafords Van Lines, the
blankets will be transported safely. Also, all the donated wool has been
tracked and blankets have been tagged so knitters know where their blankets
have been handed out. This was made possible by AdvanceNet.
Without the likes of South Africa’s inmates and all the
other dedicated KnitWits across the globe, plus the generous anonymous donation
amounting in 20 tons of wool, totalling around R7 million provided to the
inmates, 67 Blankets would not be attempting to break such an incredible
record. More importantly, the ‘goodwool’ initiative can now provide even more
people in need with a little extra warmth this winter.
The public is welcome to attend the event at the Drakenstein
Correctional Centre in Paarl. For more information visit www.67blankets.co.za
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