Latest news with #67Blankets
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Scarves, soup and spirit as St Columba's shares Mandela Day magic
There was no shortage of warmth at St Columba's Church in Parkview on July 18, as volunteers, church members, and the KnitWits of 67 Blankets came together to mark Mandela Day with food, love and scarves for those in need. By the end of the morning, 127 displaced individuals had received more than just a hot meal. They were welcomed, cared for and offered dignity through simple, heartfelt gestures. Read more: Parktown High School for Girls choses 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day ambassadors Geoff van Heerden, a volunteer at St Columba's, praised the community's generosity. 'We've had an incredible response. Local businesses donated boxes of sandwiches, hot dogs, soup, and the amazing team from 67 Blankets handed out scarves.' This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Secret Scarves Shhh campaign by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. Around 100 scarves were placed across Parkview, each tagged: I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me. With love, 67 Blankets. Rev Melanie Cook of St Columba's said, 'This is about more than charity. It's about dignity, choice and coming together for something meaningful.' Michelle Burton from 67 Blankets added, 'Mandela Day lets us connect, create and care. It brings joy, not just to those who receive the scarves, but to those who make them too.' With scarves, sandwiches and a spirit of kindness, the Parkview community turned a winter morning into a celebration of humanity. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Menlyn Maine launches Gallery of Giving for Mandela month
Menlyn Maine Central Square, in partnership with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, The Scoin Shop, Embassy Direct and Mini Menlyn, has launched the Gallery of Giving to celebrate Mandela month this July. Thursday 9 July saw the official opening of The Gallery of Giving with a gathering on the Piazza at Menlyn Main. Sponsors, partners and members of the diplomatic community gathered to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and listen to remarks from Brendan Grealy, head of the executive committee of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. 'At 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, our motto is 'Every day is a Mandela Day'. Events like The Gallery of Giving support this philosophy and encourage us all to keep doing our bit,' he said. Mandela Day on 18 July inspires South Africans to reflect on Nelson Mandela's legacy and make a positive contribution. 'July is a month to honour Madiba's courage and compassion,' said Natasha Koning, centre manager for Menlyn Maine Central Square. Hosted at Central Square, the Gallery of Giving features handmade blankets by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day volunteers and more than 30 Mandela-inspired artworks from a private collection. 'The Gallery of Giving combines fine art and outstanding handicraft skills of our amazing volunteers,' added Grealy Mini Menlyn stepped up to support The Gallery of Giving with a substantial donation of wool, which will enable the creation of more blankets. Richard Nwamba, dealer principal at Mini Menlyn, said: 'We jumped at the chance to support The Gallery of Giving and hope that the specially branded Mini will encourage patrons to get behind the call for wool donations to support the ongoing efforts of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.' Rael Demby, chief executive of The Scoin Shop said: 'The Gallery of Giving is about weaving generosity into our community's fabric. We have been linked to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day since it started in 2014. Carolyn Steyn invited us to get involved, and we've been behind this wonderful initiative ever since.' This year, everyone is invited to visit the Gallery of Giving and join in making a difference this Mandela month. The gallery of Giving opens to the public on Friday, July 4th. Visitors can see the exhibition at the gallery until 31 July.
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Mandela Day: Secret scarves to be distributed in various parts of the country
Scarf distributions began in Bloemfontein over the weekend and are expected to expand to other communities across the country. If you are anywhere around South Africa this week, you could be one of the fortunate ones to come across one of the thousands of 'secret scarves' placed by the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day. 'I could never have imagined the incredible momentum our secret scarves initiative would gain over the years,' said 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day founder, Carolyn Steyn. KnitWits for Madiba is a campaign under the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day movement. 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela was established after Mandela's former personal assistant, Zelda La Grange, challenged Steyn in 2013 to make the 67 blankets. The movement has gone on to capture the attention of many South Africans and international celebrities, as well as corporates and KnitWits for Madiba groups, which are active in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, the UK, the USA, Ireland, Italy, and India. Steyn is the widow of South African billionaire Douwe Steyn, who died earlier this year. A few days after his demise, Steyn posted that it was the couple's first anniversary without him around. 'It's our wedding anniversary today… Oh, how my heart aches,' wrote Steyn. ALSO READ: Carolyn Steyn surges on with 'Hugest Happiness Blanket in the World' after Douwe's death Secret scarves The hand-knit scarves will appear in secret spots nationwide. Each scarf, crafted with care, will bear a special 67 Blankets tag that reads: 'I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me.' 'Over the past decade, the KnitWits have lovingly crafted and distributed thousands of scarves, each one a thread of hope and warmth for someone in need,' said Steyn. Steyn said this campaign has not only warmed bodies but also hearts, making a profound difference in communities across South Africa and inspiring a movement of kindness that continues to grow. The scarf distributions have already started in Bloemfontein's Susanna Wesley Bicentenary Methodist Church over the weekend and are expected to extend to other communities across the country. On Thursday, a day before Mandela Day, people in George will be able to pick up a scarf at Safe Haven for Your Development and After Care. However, a lot of the work will be done on Friday. NOW READ: NPO on a road trip across SA to hand over blankets before winter kicks in
The Herald
28-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Stitched with love: 67 Blankets brings warmth and dignity to Nazareth House
'I noticed when I picked it up that it's handmade with love,' said a resident. 'Thank you very much on behalf of the Sisters of Nazareth and the whole of Nazareth House.' Resident Fay Paul was visibly moved. 'I am thrilled. I cannot tell you — the colours are what I like. Nazareth House has been fantastic to me. I was a carer for my husband for 22 years. I needed help and they took me in with open arms. Now, to receive something so beautiful, I am so happy.' Lynton, a representative from 67 Blankets, highlighted the time and effort put into each piece: 'It takes about four months to make a blanket. There's a lot of work, but it's more than a blanket — it becomes a comfort, especially for older people. It's something they identify with. It stays with them.' Sister Sikholiwe Ngwenya of Nazareth House expressed deep gratitude: 'We are so happy, especially because it's winter. The blankets are beautiful and mean so much to our residents. Many of them have no visitors. Receiving these gifts feels like a blessing.' For Steyn and the KnitWits, it's about more than just wool and hooks. 'It's a movement for change in our world,' Steyn said. 'It's incredible what individuals are capable of.' TimesLIVE
