THIS Sunday, 8 February from 2pm, some of Durban’s top theatre personalities will unite for a 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day blanket handover and knitathon at the Westville Country Club.
Co-ordinated by Caroline Smart and hosted by Jonathan Roxmouth, the event is produced by Roland Stansell of the Rhumbelow theatre group. The programme features some of Durban’s finest talent, including Aaron McIlroy, Lisa Bobbert, Steven Stead, The Glitter Girls, Andy Turrell and Ewan Slabber. Also appearing will be Pinkie Mtshali and Thulile Zama, Luca Tarboton, Ella Grealy and the Angel Players pantsula group.
This blanket handover and knitathon aims to motivate more South Africans to get those needles clicking. The entrance fee to the concert is a blanket made with love (140cm x 180cm) or two baby blankets (90cm x 110cm). For those who have not yet completed a blanket, then 1.5kgs of wool will gain you entrance.
According to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder, Carolyn Steyn, the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day KnitWits for Madiba are knitting away with the aim of producing 21 000 blankets (to celebrate 21 years of our democracy) for an awareness drive and world record-breaking attempt.
“We aim to make 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day a household name by displaying our woollen wares at the feet of the Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings in April 2015. An aerial photo of a sea of blankets around the feet of the Madiba statue is bound to cause an international stir and attract even more supporters to the cause,” explained Steyn.
The thousands of blankets made around South Africa will be transported to Gauteng by Airlink and Stuttafords Van Lines, and then returned to their creators to be distributed to those in need when the cold strikes. “The current world record is 7 800 blankets, collected at a cathedral in Helsinki. We as South Africans can beat this, but time is of the essence,” she added.
To book your seat at this not-to-be-missed entertainment extravaganza, email info@67blankets.co.za or for more information, visit www.67blankets.co.za or find the group 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook.
