On 15 June 2014, KZN ‘knit-wits’ from Zululand, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands and the Drakensberg will all congregate at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick for a good cause…
The cause is 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day – an initiative that aims to collect thousands of handmade blankets which will be distributed to those in need on Nelson Mandela Day, 18 July.
‘Knit-wits’ are in for a special treat with performances by acclaimed South African troubadour, Nibs Van der Spuy; passionate and versatile musician, Kaolin Thomson; one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists, Christopher Duigan; Pietermaritzburg-based musician and Idols finalist Erin Fourie; and movement founder, Carolyn Steyn’s goddaughter, Ella Grealy.
Joining the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day movement is easy. The only requirement is that the single bed sized blanket or baby blanket has to be handmade – no store bought blankets will be accepted. Blankets can be knitted or crocheted and should measure 150 cm x 200 cm. Most importantly, those who pledge to make a blanket must please keep their promise and complete the blanket or blankets by 1 July 2014. So, get knitting!
Local drop-off points include Auto & General Insurance offices nationwide and Clifton Preparatory School in Nottingham Road in the Midlands from Monday to Friday. Alternatively, contact Annie at abgrealy@iafrica.com. Charity beneficiaries will be announced closer to the time.
The event will take place on 15 June and get underway from 12pm, with the blanket handover to take place at 2:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets but food and drinks will also be available at the Capture Site.
For more information go to www.67blankets.com or follow the movement on Twitter and Facebook.