(Students from St Mary’s DSG in Kloof surround
the blankets donated from the school for the 67 Blankets KZN Big Blanket Reveal)
The clock is ticking and nerves are getting frayed as KZN’s ‘KnitWits’ for Mandela edge closer and closer to their goal of 670 handmade blankets for this year’s winter blanket drive.
Blankets are piling up in the humanitarian organisation’s local storage room, but will they reach their goal in time for their Big Blanket Reveal on June 10?
For nine years, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has been making thousands of blankets by hand for those who would otherwise be cold come the winter months. Hashtagged #LocalBlanketsIsLekka, the charity’s 2023 blanket drive, has seen dedicated KnitWits (volunteers) and Ambassadors from all walks of like going all out to crochet and knit as many blankets as they possibly can churn out for the needy.
Residents of homes for the elderly, school learners, parents, teachers, university students, religious organisations and many caring individuals have been working together as a community to make blankets for those living in dire circumstances.
Instead of holding a single national blanket display event, 67 Blankets has gone local this year, and KZN is out to show what they’ve got.
On Saturday June 10 (tomorrow) from 11h00, blankets made by KZN KnitWits will be displayed in all their riotously glorious colour at Holy Family College in Glenmore, Durban. KZN will be hosting 67 Blankets founder, Dame Carolyn Steyn, along with a number of other VIPs.
Thanks to support from Pauline Dalais from ASSITEJ, the event will feature some of KZN’s top youth talent. Besides a programme of music and dance, there’ll also be yummy food, and a huge display of colour guaranteed to delight the whole family.
The entertainment programme will be directed by well-known radio and television personality and event organiser, Barry Meehan, and produced by Ethekwini Living Legend and 67 Blankets Ambassador, Caroline Smart. Vusi Makhanya is the choreographer, and the show will feature the Holy Family College junior school choir, the St Theresa’s marching band, SEF groups Drama Mama, Creative Children’s Arts Team and KwaMashu Dance Company, and more. Entrance is free.
Holy Family College has arguably the best views of the harbour and city buildings in Durban, and everyone is invited to bring a chair or blanket and a gazebo or umbrella, and gaze upon the beauty of hundreds of brightly coloured blankets and the exceptional view.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was founded by Knight of the French National Order of Merit recipient, Dame Carolyn Steyn, who is internationally recognised for her contributions to philanthropy, the arts and media. Many will know her face and voice from radio and television. Dame Carolyn will be in Durban for the June 10, 2023, reveal event.
Members of the public are invited to bring along a ball of wall or two to donate for those who have the will, but not the wool, as well as any blankets or squares they have made.
To find out more about how you can get involved, email info@67blankets.co.za or go to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook.
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