These were all made by the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day knitwits.
 
Says CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang, “We are honoured to be associated with this initiative which we hope will help build a more cohesive society, especially during these trying times faced by our country. We hope it will help stitch our wounded nation and restore dignity. We would like to thank each one of the Knit-Wits who helped make a dream of keeping those in need warm this winter.”

This award-winning Mandela Day initiative celebrates the ethos and the legacy of a man who united South Africans in a time of uncertainty. For several months, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day have encouraged South Africans to knit, sew or crochet a blanket, and it has managed to  knit together communities in such a positive way, and will continue to do so going forward. This project which celebrated its first anniversary in January has attracted knitwits not only from South Africa but globally,  and they heeded the call to “take up needles and hooks” to make blankets to keep people warm. There are groups not only in South Africa but also the USA, India , Australia, Belgium,  Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London and in the Netherlands.

“It’s raining blankets and we are being inundated with the most beautiful handmade blankets that are still being delivered from knitwits all over to add to this incredible initiative at the Union Buildings, all the blankets will be laid out at the feet of the Nelson Mandela Statue [on] 21 April. This world record breaking attempt is just one step in our incredible journey – one which promises to, stitch by stitch, keep South Africans warm in winter,” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.

The world record breaking attempt will take place at the Union Buildings from 06:00 and will conclude at 14:00. The blankets will then be returned to their place of origin for distribution.

The following organisations have generously supported this project:  Cell C, Airlink, Stuttafords Van Lines, Saprotex, Juandre Distributors and Huawei.

For more information, please visit www.67blankets.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook and on Twitter.