Grand handover for 67 blankets for Mandela Day
SANDTON - South Africa’s leading men of musical theatre performed together on stage at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square, in Sandton for a good cause.
The cause was a blanket handover for the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day campaign, an initiative led by founder, Carolyn Steyn. She said the campaign idea was presented to her in 2013 by her friend Zelda la Grange. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the campaign would become a momentous worldwide movement,” said Steyn.
This initiative will distribute thousands of handmade blankets to those in need on Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July.
Stars performing at the event included Jonathan Roxmouth, Andre Schwartz, Brendan van Rhyn, Timothy Moloi, Cito, Ferdi Gernandt, Mark Banks, Keith Smith, Neil Holland, Chris Jaftha, Michael Themba, Jacques Lagesse and the St Davids Chamber Choir.
The programme directors for the evening were comedian and actor, Michael de Pinna and Tumisho Masha.
Among the other special guests was the second daughter of Nelson Mandela, Zindzi Mandela. She said, “Blankets represent something so symbolic in our culture. They represent warmth and togetherness. Let’s remember what his legacy was about: reconciliation, love and peace.”
The theatre’s owner, Daphne Kuhn said, “It is so exciting to be a part of this initiative spearheaded by Carolyn Steyn. Making blankets is an artwork in itself, like performers when they express themselves through song and dance.”
Guests were entertained with songs from Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Peter Pan Pantomime 2014, Cabaret, We Will Rock You, Call Me Lee, Deon Opperman’s Tree Aan, Notre Dame de Paris, Chess, the Sound of Music, and many others.
The entrance fee to the event was a hand-made blanket made with love. The theatre was packed to capacity with colourful blankets draped everywhere.
Details: 0617 67 67 67.
