Exactly 67 blankets were handed over to the elderly at the Hapziba Old Age Home in Mohlakeng by the staff members of Capitec’s Randfontein CBD branch on Wednesday, 11 July.
Capitec said the handover was done to commemorate former statesman, Nelson Mandela’s centenary birthday.
Lena Erens, the branch manager, said the knitted blankets took four months to complete.
“We decided to do this because we realised that our old people need people like us to be there for them, to give them all the care and support,” Erens said.
She said the initiative received a warm welcome from the recipients.
“They have shown us that they appreciate what we have done for them,” Erens added.
She said the process of knitting was a lengthy one, but was worthwhile.
“We knitted from January to May. We came across many challenges, because we would run out of material, and had to get people to contribute once more,” said Kelebogile Marumo, coordinator of the event.
Erens said despite the said challenges, the project brought excitement to the staff members, especially as it was being done for the first time.
“This is very exciting because we are actually doing this for the first time ever. In the four months that were knitting, everyone was busy. As soon as a blanket was completed, we would celebrate and take photos.
Erens said the project will be continuous from this year.
“Every staff member in our branch contributed, even those who could not knit – we taught them how to do it. We are happy because this initiative was in the hands of ordinary people like street vendors, and our clients,” Erens added.
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