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Blanket Success

KYALAMI – 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day on 5 October hosted a wrap party for 2019 by inviting members of the public to come visit their picnic site for free at the Kyalami Park Equestrian grounds.

October 19, 2019

Robyn Kirk 1 minute read

Rachel Sekhu crochets her blanket donatiion in the pattern of the South African flag. Photo Robyn Kirk

It has been a blanket year for the team behind the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day non-profit organisation, and that’s worth celebrating.

On 5 October the organisation hosted a wrap party for 2019 by inviting members of the public to come visit their picnic site for free at the Kyalami Park Equestrian grounds in Kyalami during the South African Derby.

Velly Matsebatlela, Deidre Xulu, Rachel Sekhu and Lina Madela use the wrap party as a chance to sit with friends and create blankets for the initiative. *Photo Robyn Kirk*

Besides enjoying the beautiful day from the comfort of the stands, supporters were invited to bring along their picnic baskets, friends, family and even dogs along on the day and could also hand over completed blankets and blanket squares for the organisation to distribute.

Wendy Vaughan uses the wrap party to give Carolyn Steyn the eight blankets she had created for the organisation using squares which had been donated. Photo: Robyn Kirk

“It’s so wonderful to see people arriving here today. This is the first 67 Blankets event we’ve ever had which featured horses,” said Carolyn Steyn, who founded 67 Blankets in 2013. “We really rocked and rolled this year and people from across the country and the world came out to support us.

Tanya-Venter, Michael Jay Vos, Johan Jay Vos and Wiana Botha use the opportunity to watch the horses at the derby from the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela picnic site. Photo: Robyn Kirk

“It’s been an amazing year, and I’m particularly proud of our Magic Moments for Madiba exhibit, which took place on 31 March [and saw all the blankets made by the non-profit exhibited at once]. We’ll also be holding other Magic Moments for Madiba event in March next year.”