(Left: Carolyn Steyn,
founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day)
On the anniversary of the passing of our late great father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, (December 5, 2013), I reflect on the wonderful times I was so fortunate to share with him.
Madiba and my husband shared a truly special father/son relationship and I am so blessed to have had the opportunities I have had.
I am so grateful that a little initiative with a very big heart called 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has changed my life so dramatically. Thousands of "KnitWits for Madiba" have joined this movement all over South Africa and around the world to honour his legacy and keep his memory alive with each and every stitch we make with our own two hands in order to keep thousands of people less fortunate warmer over all the winters to come, in the name of our beloved Tata Nelson Mandela.
I do believe that wherever he is, he is smiling down on all the beautiful work being done in his name.
I thank every single person who has taken up their arsenal of needles and bright colourful wool in order to knit lives and our nation together.
(Above: This is an example of the kind of layout KnitWits can achieve for 67 Blankets. This was held in Durban in June, 2023, at the Holy Family College)
Thank you, Madiba, for changing my life! I am eternally grateful to my husband for introducing me to you.
Madiba, you continue to be our inspiration. We know just how proud you would be of each and every single ‘KnitWit for Madiba’, and marvel at the sheer hard work, time and love that goes into the creating of each and every blanket. Over 167,000 people have been kept warmer over the cold winter months because of you. Here’s to the next ten years of our wonderful organisation with a very big heart.
For more information on 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela, click on the logo advert to the right of this article which will link you to their website.
67 Blankets has produced the most beautiful book to celebrate their tenth birthday. Review to follow.
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