67 Blankets mobilises national cohesion
HOUGHTON – Positive vibes filled the air as people gathered to celebrate six years of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day's existence.
The mood was set to joyous mode as people gathered to celebrate the sixth birthday of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. The birthday celebrations took place at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton with entertainment from Jeppe High School for Girls Marimba band as well as singers Timothy Moloi, Veronique Lalouette, Michael Themba and PJ Powers.
Emcee at the event, Brendan Grealy said the 67 Blankets initiative was an international beacon, tactile and filled with long-term goals.
CEO at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang said this year marked 30 years since Mandela was released from prison and he hoped that during the six years of the initiative, the country would be able to utilise the freedom obtained to face social ills currently occurring.
Head girl at Jeppe High School for Girls, Megan Reveley said, “[67 Blankets emphasised] focus must be beyond ourselves and we should rather assist others and motivate them to get involved in community works.”
Founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, Carolyn Steyn who attended Jeppe High School for Girls herself recalled how the idea had been planted at a tea party six years ago and now grown into an international movement.
“The movement continues to cross borders and inspire people. We have distributed not 67 blankets but way over 67 000 blankets to communities in need in SA alone – all made with love and our own two hands. I have to say a big thank you to corporate organisations, schools and the KnitWits who are amazing,” said Steyn.
She added that early next year they would be embarking on a new year-long challenge of knitting a Springbok blanket which will cover two rugby fields at Siya Kolisi’s school.
Retired Major General Bantu Holomisa added that the Springboks winning the Webb Ellis Cup ignited the spark of nationhood and a true demonstration of social cohesion which the late Madiba would be happy about.
Emphasising that without commitment, the movement wouldn’t have worked, former wife of Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel thanked all the contributors for their commitment.
“Many of us are overwhelmed by the negativity which exists in the country today with some saying the idea of a rainbow nation is dead. However, looking at such an initiative – people from various social structures have come together to make blankets which keep more people from various social structures warm, without discrimination – this shows that there still ‘human beings’ above anything else,” said Machel.
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