(Lynne
McRae & Sue Eslick with rolls of scarves for 27km record from Durban)
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day set
their sights on breaking a new world record – a 27km Scarf
There is nothing like a warm scarf to keep
away the winter chill and this year 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day are
ready to tackle the icy weather while breaking yet another world record by
crocheting a 27km scarf.
27KmScarf will take place on July 29, 2018,
at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. It will be a day
filled with live entertainment and a brightly-coloured supernaturally-long
scarf. Anyone is welcome to come through on July 28 from 10h00 to help sew
scarves together and on the July 29, the site will be open the whole day with entertainment
kicking off at 10h00.
Over the last couple of months, KnitWits
around the country have been feverishly crocheting scarves to the exacting
standards of the Guinness World Book criteria. Each 20cm x 200cm scarf has been
crocheted using a hook size no bigger than 6.5mm. Massive rolls of scarves have
been bundled up and ready to be transported to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site
where on-site volunteers will loosely stitch the rolls of scarves together to
form the one long scarf.
Since the earliest days of 67 Blankets for
Nelson Mandela Day, Stuttaford Van Lines have supported the initiative. Once
again they have their engines revving in anticipation of the enormous pile of
scarves that not only have to be delivered to KwaZulu-Natal, but also collected
and returned to all the provinces to be distributed.
“In the year that the Nelson Mandela
Foundation celebrates a great milestone in history, 67 Blankets for Mandela Day
has brought the understanding of making history with work that will benefit
those in need. The many people who have been involved in this project will
bring much-needed smiles and warmth to so many in these very cold winter days”
says Yase Godlo, manager of Mandela Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Singing sensation Timothy Moloi will lend
his voice to the event, joined by local musicians including singer-songwriter,
author and playwright Audrey Mbuyazi, flautist Kaolin Thomson Woods leading the
Khazimula Orphanage marimba band, the St Johns DSG School orchestra and reggae
band Undivided Roots. Once again, MCC have generously offered their services
and will capture this incredible event from the skies using drones and a
helicopter.
Without the numerous volunteers and support
from companies like Ballid Security Howick, Prosound and KZN Weddings and
Functions this event would not be possible.
“We will show the world what we are doing, stitch by stitch, to
keep the legacy of our beloved Nelson Mandela alive, by creating blankets and
scarves for our fellow brothers, sisters, moms, dads and children who need
extra warmth during our cold winter months,” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67
Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
“This is going to be a celebration of note.
We have achieved Guinness World Records in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg
and now it is time for KZN to feel and experience the excitement and be part of
our history as we mark and pay tribute to Madiba in his centenary year,” she
adds.
Following the 27KmScarf event, the scarves
will be transported to all corners of South Africa and distributed to those in
need. Although 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day cannot guarantee the original
scarves will be sent back to the provinces they came from, they will ensure
that the same amount of scarves are sent back to be distributed.
Mandela Capture site on the R103 (Howick /
Tweedie off-ramp off the N3). Entrance is free and please bring your own
picnic, chairs and picnic blankets. There will be food at the Truth Café.
Visit the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela
Day website http://www.67blankets.co.za and Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/67blankets to follow the build up to this momentous
event.
http://www.67blankets.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/67blankets
https://twitter.com/67blankets
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