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 on Sunday, 8 February.
This event, co-ordinated by Caroline Smart, produced by Roland Stansell of the Rhumbelow Theatre and hosted by Jonathan Roxmouth, is a not-to-be-missed show featuring an all-star cast of performers including Steven Stead, Lisa Bobbert, Aaron McIlroy, Andy Turrell, The Glitter Girls, Ella Grealy, Pinkie Mtshali and Ewan Slabber.
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 people who have not completed a blanket, 1.5kgs of wool will gain you entrance.
Carolyn Steyn, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder, said the ‘KnitWits for Madiba’ are knitting away with the aim of producing 21 000 blankets to celebrate 21 years of democracy for an awareness drive and world record breaking attempt.
“We aim to make this project a household name by displaying our woollen wares at the feet of the Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings in April 2015,” said Steyn.
She added that 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.
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 can beat this, but time is of the essence,” she said.
To book your seat email info@67blankets.co.za. For more information visit www.67blankets.co.za or find the group 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook.
