July 18 draws nearer and Christine Simelane is excited that she has finished her crocheting race in time for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
For this year’s Madiba celebration, she vowed to produce 30 colourful blankets made with love with her knitting team in Daantjie, Pienaar.
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“We started with a bid for 20 blankets, which we finished earlier than expected. We took another bid for 10, and I am happy to say that we finished 30 blankets in less than four weeks. Our hands are still itching for more, but time is no longer on our side, because we rely on donations for wool and other equipment to produce the blankets,” Simelane said.
The self-taught crotchetier is a teacher at a school in Pienaar and has not only passed on lesson contents, but also crocheting skills to her learners and some unemployed youth. “My knitting team includes schoolchildren, unemployed youth and grandmothers. I teach them skills to help them relieve stress, so that there is a continuous inheritance of this in future generations.”
Simelane said crocheting is a powerful tool to help deal with mental issues, and that she is living proof. “My husband passed away from Covid-19 within a week of contracting the virus. I struggled to deal with his death for some time. I tried therapists and that did not help. I am glad that I did not stop crocheting, because it helped me to remain sane and I managed to accept his passing easier over time,” she said.
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Simelane said the blankets are currently on display at Fourways Mall in Gauteng. “I am currently identifying underprivileged individuals in the Daantjie area who will receive the blankets and be kept warm this winter and for more cold days to come.”
She encouraged people to enter the crocheting craze by joining her team or by donating wool, needles, hooks and other equipment.
Anyone who would like to join or assist, may contact Simelane on 073 761 5582.
