Projects old

Have a look at some of the exciting projects we have worked on in the past.

67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY CONTINUES TO HONOUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS

July in South Africa is Nelson Mandela month, a month to celebrate the life and legacy of our former President Nelson Mandela.

For the knitwits of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela this means it’s time for secret scarf warmth to be spread. This annual activation, which is in its 7th year,  is a colourful and joyous way of spreading “GoodWool”.

This year the Secret Scarf Shhhh – SSS will take place on Wednesday 6th July at identified sites around the country from 2:30pm onwards .

Following on from the hugely successful Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope which happened in May this year where over 4500 blankets were given to Gift of the Givers to distribute in KZN, the secret scarf mission continues with the theme of thanking the healthcare workers for their incredible work and sacrifices they made over the last 28 months.

Says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day “ We are so excited that we can all come out after a long lockdown into a changed world and pay tribute to the healthcare workers and continue with the theme of hope for the rainbow nation. I cannot thank our knitwits enough for their commitment that continues to bring warmth to people across our nation every year. This year we have seen a greater involvement from learners at schools across the country, both at junior and high school levels, which brings a youthful enthusiasm to the blanket family.”

Thousands of scarves have been hand made with care for this initiative, each scarf will have a 67 Blankets label with a special message attached which reads "I AM NOT LOST. IF YOU ARE COLD AND NEED ME, PLEASE TAKE ME. With LOVE, 67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY".

The #SSS Secret Scarf Shhhh…. Will take place at the following venues across the country, please see below;

Follow us on: www.67blankets.co.za

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa

IG: @67blankets

Twitter: @67blankets

Note to media:  Please see all the venues we will be hanging scarves in trees and on fences and handing out to people, if you would like to attend any of the activations, please let us know so we can put you in touch with the 67 Blanket Ambassador on site.

CITIES AND VENUES

Johannesburg:

Helen Joseph Hospital

Perth Rd, Rossmore – main entrance

3pm

St Teresa’s School

Scarves will be put along Keyes Ave

7:30am

Park Care

Escombe Ave, Parktown

3pm

REEA Epilepsy Centre

Cnr Richmond and Marlboro Ave, Craighall Park

3pm

White River:

Rob Ferreira Hospital

Generaal Dan Pienaar Drive, Nelspruit

3pm

Gqeberha:

Athlone Street and Buffelsfontein Rd, Mount Pleasant Park

3pm

Cape Town

Lady Michael Day Hospital

Burnham Rd, Plumstead

3pm

Cnr Kromboom Rd and Jan Smuts Drive Athlone

3pm

Belville South Civic Centre and Library

Kasselsvlei Rd Belville

3pm

Mossel Bay:

Kwanonqaba Mall

Adriaan Str entrance

3pm

Bloemfontein:

TBC

To celebrate the compassion and resilience of South Africans through a tough two years of Covid-19 and lockdowns, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is partnering with NGO Gift of the Givers to create a gigantic Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope.

What better way to show our appreciation for the selfless work that the non – profit organisation Gift of the Givers and healthcare workers have done, than by picking up our knitting needles and crochet hooks for a good cause?

“The gift of hope is the biggest gift we can give South Africans during this time of uncertainty,” says 67 Blankets founder and KnitWit-in-chief Carolyn Steyn.

“We are excited about partnering with Gift of the Givers, who exemplify ethical and compassionate leadership, to distribute the thousands of blankets our KnitWits around the country will be producing in all the colours of the rainbow – symbolising our collective hope for the future.”

The founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said: "Gift of the Givers appreciates the partnership with 67 Blankets for Mandela as this relationship embodies the concept of active citizenry and selflessness where we as a nation stand up and hold hands together to assist the most vulnerable and least endowed within our communities. A blanket is a symbol of hope, bringing warmth, comfort, ease and specifically unconditional love when knitted by a complete stranger for a fellow national. This altruistic action by those who encourage, promote, knit and sponsor the campaign is in an essence an act of deep spirituality for the greater good providing a better life for all in keeping with the ethos of Mandela Day and what the late president epitomised."

South Africans are invited to rally together over the next few months to help create the Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope, knitting or crocheting blankets of any size, in bright, vivid, rainbow colours to evoke the warm and generous spirit of our rainbow nation.

You have until the end of March 2022 to get those needles and hooks clicking away to hand in your blankets. The massive ‘combined’ blanket will be laid out at Steyn City School in Johannesburg during May 2022, after which, Gift of the Givers will distribute individual blankets to people in need before the onset of winter.

Join the multi-award-winning, world-record-breaking 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela and highly respected humanitarian foundation Gift of the Givers, who both represent South Africa’s irrepressible spirit of ubuntu, by helping to craft the Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope.

More details are available at http://67blankets.co.za/ or by emailing info@67blankets.co.za.

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) / IG: @67blankets / Twitter:@67blankets / #Rainbownationblanketofhope #67blankets

      Facebook: @GiftoftheGivers / IG: gift.of.the.givers / #GiftoftheGivers #MakeaDifference

Nothing can keep a 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day KnitWit down. Despite months of lockdown, KnitWits around the country have been busy crocheting and knitting blankets and scarves to keep many others warm this winter.  Always a highlight, the annual Secret Scarves Mission, now in its 6^th year, has thousands of scarves ready to distribute countrywide.

The KnitWits have once again risen to the challenge by hand making thousands of beautiful scarves that will be draped on trees and poles or distributed to various organisations on the 19^th August. A spectacular sight - a rainbow of colourful scarves freely available to be taken by any passer-by. As always, a love note attached, reading ‘I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me. Love, 67 Blankets xxx’

Says founder Carolyn Steyn “The KnitWits are incredible. Despite the lockdown and the challenges people are experiencing, thousands of scarves have been made for this eagerly anticipated event countrywide on the 19^th August. Sadly, we could not distribute in July on Mandela Day but for us, every day is a Mandela Day. I cannot wait to see the joy these labours of love will bring to so many.”

Due to Covid regulations, the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day movement, will ensure that strict COVID compliance will be adhered to at each location.

NOTE TO MEDIA Please see the venues where scarves will be distributed at 2:30pm on the 19^th August.

VENUES FOR 19^TH AUGUST AT 2:30PM

Johannesburg, Parkview :

Zoo Lake – Jan Smuts Ave & Princes of Wales

Mossel Bay:

Louis Fourie Road near Agri

Port Elizabeth:

Rhodes Street (opposite Engen Garage) Mount Pleasant

Johannesburg, Sandton:

Rosebank Union Church cnr William Nicol & St Andrews Rd Hurlingham

Cape Town: 

La Motte Feeding Scheme I Roberts Vlei Road Bosbou Franschhoek

Contacts for  67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day:

• Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa)
• Twitter: @67blankets
• Instagram: @67Blankets

Relive the day by watching the livestream of the reveal event at the link below.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and his son Andile Ramaphosa took time out to wish everyone involved with the giant #BokkeBlanket event on the 9th, June at Steyn City School, everything of the very best.

Adam Dunn who spent time with President Ramaphosa in the Waterberg this morning said, His Excellency was very impressed with the "KnitWits" - Bokke Blanket Bus and the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative.

We are so excited about our big Big Bokke Blanket Reveal happening on June 9th. Our BIG REVEAL will be paying tribute to our rugby heroes who returned home to South Africa with the Web Ellis Cup. This will be our very own ‘Wool Cup’ where ordinary folk are able to contribute to something to enormous. As a result, many more thousands of people will be kept warmer over the cold winter months. We will be showing the world how we are knitting our lives together in the spirit of Ubuntu.

Strict COVID-19 protocols will be in place so if you would like to attend, please email rsvp@67blankets.co.za. Limited places are available, we will be working on a strictly first come first served basis. Tickets are non-transferable.

In 2019 the Springboks reminded South Africans that we are “Stronger Together”. Little did we know that in the few short months following the victory we would be pulled apart by a pandemic that demanded lockdowns and social distancing. But through it all the “KnitWits” of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day have embraced this iconic motto, and on 9 June 2021 they will be joined by Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus, John Smit and the Beast Tendai Mtawarira to show their colours in the #BokkeBlanket Reveal at Steyn City School, Steyn City.

In 2020, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’s Carolyn Steyn challenged new and long-term committed KnitWits to keep their fingers moving as they whiled away the long socially distanced hours. In response, these wool-warriors have tackled skeins of wool, and hooked multiple stitches to ensure they knit and crochet the world’s largest Springbok Blanket. The ‘blanket’ will cover the entire rugby field with the image of our iconic ‘Bok’ and South African flag - so large, it will only be visible from the sky earth’s atmosphere and via satellite.

This green and gold achievement will not only celebrate the Boks’ historic 2019 Rugby World Cup win, but also ensure some warmth and hope for many vulnerable people in South Africa this winter.

“We are indeed stronger together and it has been so inspiring to see how our wonderful 67 Blankets family has kept hope alive during these difficult times. When our boys in green and gold led us to victory in Japan, they inspired a nation to believe that anything is possible, and I believe that this blanket will remind us of that and encourage us all to be ‘Stronger Together’,” says 67 Blankets founder and KnitWit-in-chief Carolyn Steyn.

The #BokkeBlanket project is supported by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the South African Rugby Union, SA Rugby Legends Association, Auto and General and key corporate stakeholders. Once again Stuttaford Van Lines is on board as the official logistics partner, travelling the length and breadth of the country to collect and deliver the precious blanket cargo.

All Covid-19 regulations and protocols will be in place. There will be adherence to socially distancing guidelines. Admission is by invitation only.

With the multi-award-winning, world-record-breaking 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day celebrating its seventh birthday this year, Steyn urges South Africans to make 2021 count by continuing to pitch in and embrace the NGO’s “GoodWool” projects.

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa
Twitter: @67blankets
Instagram: 67blankets
Email: info@67blankets.co.za

#BokkeBlanket #strongertogether

Say goodbye to knotting and joining. Wool has just got bigger, more colourful with less hassle...

67 Blankets is proud to collaborate with Kismet Yarns and lend its name to the ‘big- ball’ wool era. This revolutionary ‘big-ball’ wool is manufactured in Turkey and allows for hassle free continued work, less joining, with vibrant and consistent patterns.

Kismet Yarns are importers of elegant hand knitting yarns with a passion to source inspirational new styles in colour, yarn and design that are enjoyable to knit or crochet. Their years of experience comes with a dedication to the craft and a passion for good quality yarns.

“We continue to innovate and keep an eye on fashion trends in hand knitting and crochet yarn to ensure the latest in new trends each season”.

"This ‘big-ball’ wool is totally special, after seeing and using it, I am sold! This yarn is super soft, and it knits and crochets up beautifully”, says Ambassador Colleen Biddlecombe.

67 Blankets branded Wool is available in 30 fabulous shades of variegated and plain colours.

Size: 300g = 750m

For further information contact the 67 Blankets team at: info@67blankets.co.za
To find out where you can purchase the 'Big-Ball' Wool please click here.

Join us on social media: 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY SECRET SCARVES

The world is a different place and as we start to leave our homes to cast out into unchartered waters to find the ‘new normal” at work, at schools and in our daily lives we are very aware of how life has changed and now more than ever before people need love, warmth and kindness.

The KnitWits for Madiba are doing what they have done for the last few years, they have picked up needles and hooks and chosen wool of many colours and are crocheting and knitting scarves for people that are desperately going to need them this year, given how the COVID – 19 pandemic has changed so many people’s lives.

On the 8th of July scarves will be distributed at sites around the country for people to take, the handmade scarves are made with love and care to keep people warm in this icy cold.

Says founder Carolyn Steyn “On Wednesday July 8th, we aim to spread joy and warmth all around our beautiful country. Parks and streets will be brightened with our labours of love. Each scarf will have a note attached (in all official languages) reading “I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me. Love, 67 Blankets xxx! This is a fun way to keep our 67 Blankets movement alive”.

This is the 5th year that 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day will host this nationwide initiative and we welcome with gratitude anyone wanting to be involved in making scarves and joining our 67 Blanket community. Ambassadors around the country will co-ordinate the collection of scarves, a list of venues for distribution of scarves will be confirmed.

Venues:

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG
Zoo Lake
Jan Smuts Ave corner Lower Park Drive
Opposite Johannesburg Zoo
3:00pm

EASTERN CAPE

PORT ELIZABETH
Walmer Links Complex
14 Lungelo Mlandlu Street
7am- 8am

WESTERN CAPE

CAPE TOWN
Hoek Me Allah café
Corner of Hek Rd and Prince George's Drive, Lavender Hill, Cape Town
1.30pm

MOSSEL BAY
Corner Marsh Street and N2 (opposite SPAR and KFC)
3pm

Partners of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day : Nelson Mandela Foundation

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa

Website: www.67blankets.co.za

Twitter: @67Blankets

Instagram: @67Blankets

Hashtags: #67blankets #sss

 NPO No: 151/362

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PUBLICITY 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE / SNEZIWE DUBE 

011 673 0264 / 477 0923 

info@buz.co.za /buz@buz.co.za

67 BLANKETS IS ON A SECRET SCARF MISSION

It’s that time of the year again and 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is preparing for their annual Secret Scarf Mission, fondly known as the #SSS. KnitWits for Madiba around the country have been knitting and crocheting beautiful scarves to distribute on the 9th July.

Now in its 6th year, this Nationwide initiative has proved to be hugely successful, whereby thousands of scarves are draped around trees and poles and hang resplendent for the taking, by passersby in need. A note is attached to each scarf - ‘I am not lost, if you are cold and need me, please take me’

These handmade scarves are made with love, to keep people warm in Winter and are always distributed in July in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Anyone is welcome to assist at the various venues in tying the scarves to trees and poles. There is still some time to make and donate scarves and a local Ambassador can be contacted via the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day website - www.67blankets.co.za

Areas and times where the scarves will be distributed are as below:

JOHANNESBURG

1. Zoo Lake

Jan Smuts Ave cnr Lower Park Drive

Opposite Jhb Zoo

3:30pm

2. Edenvale

Khanyisa Trust

58 7th Ave, Edenvale

11am

3. Norwood

Grant Avenue, opp Pick n Pay

3pm

4. Lenasia

Lenasia Cancer Society

196 Rose Ave

9am

WESTERN CAPE

Maynardville Park

Wynberg

3pm

FRANSCHHOEK

1. Franschhoek Valley Community Sports Centre

1A La Provence Street

Groendal

Franschhoek

3pm

2. Church Hall

Cnr 112 Upper Lea Street & Le Roux Street

Langrug

Franschhoek

3pm

3. North Acre Christian Church.

Main Road

Lanquedoc

3pm

LIMPOPO

Main Street 127 Avenue

Thohyandou

2pm

MPUMALANGA

Mtfophi Primary School

Daantjie Pienaar

2pm

KWA ZULU NATAL

St Mary's Hospital

Mariannhill

3pm

PIETERMARITZBURG

St David’s Church Soup Kitchen

8 Zwartkop Road, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg

At about 8.30 am

BLOEMFONTEIN

Hoffman Square

Charlotte Maxeke Street

3pm

PORT ELIZABETH

Walmer

Between 11th and 12th Ave, Villiers Rd along the green fence

3pm

Partners of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day : Nelson Mandela Foundation, Stuttaford van Lines, Cheeky Media

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa

Website: www.67blankets.co.za

Twitter: @67Blankets

Hashtags: #67blankets #sss

 NPO No: 151/362

MEDIA QUERIES:

Press Coverage:

Highway Mail

BUZ PUBLICITY 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE / SNEZIWE DUBE 

011 673 0264 / 477 0923 

info@buz.co.za /buz@buz.co.za

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day celebrate their sixth year of knitting the country together in warm displays around the country by creating Magical Moments 4 Mandela .

The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela’s Magical Moments will  take place on 31 March, where all blankets made this year will be exhibited and laid out from 9am to 1pm, simultaneously at various venues around the country.

This year’s event will mark a record sixth year since the campaign was started The event will celebrate all the hard work, effort and  kindness that “KnitWits for Madiba” around South Africa have put into making their blankets for this worthy cause.

Following the Magical Moments 4 Mandela, the blankets will be distributed to those in need. This year the blankets will be delivered earlier to ensure that recipients are kept warm from the first chilly morning to the last late frost. 

In Johannesburg the blankets will be laid at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton at both the Nelson Mandela Statue and the newly unveiled 1m-tall replica of the Nelson Mandela Statue, which is located close to the original. The replica is modelled by the original artist and sculptor Kobus Hattingh and designed specifically to allow the visually impaired to experience the statue in their own way. For this 67 Blankets will be working closely with the Johannesburg Society for Blind.

The other gatherings will take place in Cape Town, Pringle Bay, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Durban. KnitWits and anyone donating blankets to this initiative should  hand over their blankets by 22 March 2019 to Ambassadors in the area.

“This responds well to our effort to ensure that Mandela Day action is taken everyday. We are delighted that the 67 Blankets Initiative is collecting blankets early this year in preparation for the punishing winter”, says Yase Godlo” Mandela Day Manager at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

“Such Acts of kindness are the reason were am in inspired to do more to impact positively towards people’s lives”, he added.  

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day invite all South Africans to join us on 31 March to celebrate Nelson Mandela. Supporters are encouraged to bring crocheting, knitting;  family and friends. At 10am sharp all knitwits and friends gathered at the various 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day sites will sing the National Anthem

“This is the sixth year we will be laying down our beautifully knitted and crocheted  blankets. It is incredible to see how this movement has galvanised so many people and communities. Each blanket laid down in these exhibits is a visual reminder of the care and goodwill so many people from South Africa and around the world have for their fellow men and women. Stitch by stitch we keep the legacy of Madiba alive, bringing hope, comfort and warmth to others,” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of the 67 Blankets initiative. She adds “We do not wait until Mandela Day in July to distribute blankets to those in need. We follow the lead from the Nelson Mandela Foundation to make every day a Mandela Day and respond to the needs of the people.

Magical Moments 4 Mandela blanket venues for 31 March 2019 

Johannesburg

Nelson Mandela Statue, Nelson Mandela Square

and at the 1M Mandela Statue, Nelson Mandela Square

Cape Town: 

Gary Kirsten Oval, Western Province Cricket Club, Rondebosch

Port Elizabeth

Marine Hotel Grass Patch, Marine Drive, Summerstrand

Western Cape

Pringle Bay Town Centre

Pretoria

Nelson Mandela Statue at the Union Buildings

Bloemfontein

Nelson Mandela Statue at Naval Hill

Durban 

The Dome Court, Roof Level, Pavillion Shopping Centre

Partners of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day : Nelson Mandela Foundation, Stuttaford van Lines, Cheeky Media

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa

Website: www.67blankets.co.za

Twitter: @67Blankets

Hashtag: #mm4m

 NPO No: 151/362

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PUBLICITY 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE / SNEZIWE DUBE 

011 673 0264 / 477 0923 

info@buz.co.za /buz@buz.co.za

Press Coverage for Magical Moments 4 Mandela

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/67-blankets-magical/

https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/magical-moments-4-mandela/

http://www.capetowngreenmap.co.za/blog/67-blankets-nelson-mandela-day-sunday-31-march

http://news.artsmart.co.za/2019/03/67-blankets-for-nelson-mandela-day.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAXX4vzwgY8

https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2019-04-01-warm-display-of-care-and-goodwill-inspires/

http://www.702.co.za/podcasts/127/afternoons-with-pippa-hudson/195348/leadsa-magical-moments-4-mandela

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/mandeladay-blankets-to-be-delivered-earlier-to-the-needy-19673336

https://www.glamafrica.com/67-blankets-for-national-nelson-mandela-day-using-knitting-to-foster-unity-among-south-africans/

https://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Bloemnuus/Nuus/together-20190403-2

https://www.southernsuburbstatler.co.za/news/annual-mandela-day-blanket-campaign-2-20593940

https://jozistyle.joburg/tropical-cyclone-ida/

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sowetan/20190401 page 2

http://www.risingsunnorthcoast.co.za/images/01-current-issue/current-issue.pdf

67 Blankets to crochet up a Guinness record-breaking storm on Mozart’s birthday

It’s a melodic celebration! 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day invites you to join the party at the Linder Auditorium on Sunday 27 January 2019, when the Mozart for Mandela event will see hundreds of “KnitWits for Mandela” embarking on their fifth Guinness World Record attempt in five years. This is to get the most people crocheting in one place simultaneously. 

 This auspicious day marks not only the birthday of Mozart (born in 1756), but also the fifth birthday of the 67 Blankets initiative, which has won several awards and smashed world records in its desire to continue Madiba’s legacy by keeping thousands of people around the world warm.

 “Beautiful music for a beautiful cause, conducted by Maestro Richard Cock - what more could we ask for as a fifth birthday present?” says Carolyn Steyn, founder of the 67 Blankets initiative. 

 “In the year following the centenary of Madiba’s birth, we are honoured to be continuing with our knitting revolution in his name. 67 Blankets has exceeded our wildest expectations, galvanising communities and bringing joy, hope and comfort to thousands of people around the world. We can’t wait to toast our fifth birthday with yet another world record attempt to the beautiful strains of Mozart!”

 Adds Yase Godlo, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Mandela Day and outreach manager: “We are thrilled to again be partnering with the 67 Blankets initiative, which continues to touch so many lives through the sterling work it does to propagate Madiba’s legacy and live his values of compassion and empathy. As they enter their fifth year and fifth world record attempt, we wish the ‘KnitWits’ well as they again set out to make a concrete difference, stitch by stitch.”

 To mark this special occasion, 67 Blankets is inviting you to bring your crochet hook and crocheting (and your love of classical music) to the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg on the day, as together South Africa’s KnitWits set out to crochet away for at least 27 minutes in a bid to clinch yet another world record to add to their arsenal.

 When the cymbals clang, everyone has to begin crocheting within the allotted time which is 27 minutes – a minute for every year that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. 

 While the KnitWits are crocheting up a storm, maestro Richard Cock will be conducting musicians in performing a selection of exquisite Mozart works to ensure the record attempt is music to all participants’ ears.

 This includes Elize Kruger playing one movement of a Mozart piano sonata, a string quartet performing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and a marimba band adding to the Mozart- and Madiba-inspired merriment.

 Richard Cock adds “The Johannesburg International Mozart Festival is extremely excited about teaming up with 67 Blankets for this World Record attempt. JIMF loves getting involved in different things, and when we discovered the synergy between JIMF’s birthday, Mozart’s birthday AND 67 Blankets’ birthday, we just couldn’t resist. We are so looking forward to all the cro(t)cheting on the 27^th, and to bringing Mozart’s music to a whole new audience!”

 It is important to note that participants need to be seated by 1:30pm, registration starts at 12 noon at The Linder Auditorium and the record attempt begins promptly at 2:15pm. Because the Linder Auditorium’s seating is limited to 1060 people, anyone interested in joining the Mozart for Mandela record attempt must confirm their attendance by emailing info@67blankets.co.za by Monday 21 January , with the subject line “Mozart for Mandela”.

 Participation is free, but 67 Blankets requests participants to bring along cans of non-perishable food to benefit students in need at Wits University. The university is donating the use of the Linder Auditorium on the day, and this donation to the Wits Food Programme is the 67 Blankets founders’ and ambassadors’ and Johannesburg Mozart Festival’s way of expressing their gratitude while helping to ensure that young people are able to study with dignity.

 The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO) office operates the Wits Food Programme, which is an institutional response to food insecurity among students at Wits.

 The Wits Food Programme is made up of several projects including the: Wits Food Bank, which offers quick relief by distributing food parcels to students. Food parcels comprise non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, tin foods, rice, pasta, noodles, mielie meal etc. The items are acquired through donations from staff, students, public and corporate donations.

Partners: Nelson Mandela Foundation, Stuttaford Van Lines, Cheeky Media

Partners for Mozart for Mandela: Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, University of the Witwatersrand , WCCO. Fidelity ADT Security

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day

Facebook: 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day South Africa

Website: www.67blankets.co.za

Twitter: @67Blankets

Johannesburg International Mozart Festival

Facebook: Johannesburg International Mozart Festival

Website: www.join-mozart-festival.org

Twitter : @JoinMozartFest

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PUBLICITY 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE / SNEZIWE DUBE 

011 673 0264 / 477 0923 

info@buz.co.za /buz@buz.co.za

Mozart for Mandela

Our #Mozart4Mandela event on the 27th of January went exceptionally well. Now we are waiting on official confirmation from Guinness World Records.

In the meantime here are a few images of the day and some of the press coverage. Watch this space!

Cape Times

News 24

Wits Vuvuzela

Nuusdag Om Agt

Rosebank Killarney Gazette

Good Things Guy

Times Live (Instagram)

The Morning Show

Expresso

Joburg East Express

We requested that participants in #Mozart4Mandela bring along cans of non-perishable food to benefit students in need at Wits University, and as expected we were blown away by the generosity of our knit-wits.

THIS is Nelson Mandela's 100th year!!!

What ELSE can we do to make this the most special year to remember our world icon???!!!

We can go for yet another GUINNESS WORLD RECORD of course!!! We can go for the "Longest Crochet Scarf in the World"!!!!!

For the past three years we have churned out THOUSANDS of scarves for our #SSS (Secret Scarves Shhh...) initiative which we do every July during Mandela Month.

INDIA currently holds the record for the Longest Scarf in the World. Why don't we in SOUTH AFRICA beat INDIA in this "WOOL CUP"???!!!!

To pay tribute to our late great father of our nation President Nelson Mandela and to mark his centenary year, we intend to create the "Longest Crochet Scarf in the World".

Every scarf will have our message of love and warmth attached to it, as well as our trademark heart logo - and people walking home from school and work will witness pockets of glorious colour and warmth around lamp posts, railings and trees. And thousands of people who need a little more colour and warmth in their lives will be able to just help themselves to our labours of love.

The measurement for the Longest Scarf currently stands at 14 km. I say - let's do 27 kilometers!!! (One kilometer for every year that Mandela spent behind bars.)

.

Press Release

#27KmScarf

67 Blankets

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day set their sights on breaking a new world record – a 27km Scarf

There is nothing like a warm scarf to keep away the winter chill and this year 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day are ready to tackle the icy weather while breaking yet another world record by crocheting a 27km scarf!

#27KmScarf will take place on 29 July at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu Natal.  It will be a day filled with live entertainment and a brightly coloured supernaturally long scarf.

Over the last couple of months KnitWits around the country have been feverishly crocheting scarves to the exacting standards of the Guinness World Book criteria. Each 20cm x 200cm scarf has been crocheted using a hook size no bigger than 6.5mm. Massive rolls of scarves have been bundled up and ready to be transported to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site where on-site volunteers will loosely stitch the rolls of scarves together to form the one long scarf.

Since the earliest days of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Stuttaford Van Lines have supported the initiative. Once again they have their engines revving in anticipation of the enormous pile of scarves that not only have to be delivered to Kwazulu Natal, but also collected and returned to all the provinces to be distributed.

“In the year that the Nelson Mandela Foundation celebrates a great milestone in history, 67 Blankets for Mandela Day has brought the understanding of making history with work that will benefit those in need. The many people who have been involved in this project will bring much needed smiles and warmth to so many in these very cold winter days” says Yase Godla, manager of Mandela Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Singing sensation Timothy Moloi will be lending his voice to the event, joined by local musicians including singer-songwriter, author and playwright Audrey Mbuyazi, Flautist Kaolin Thomson Woods leading the Khazimula Orphanage marimba band, the St Johns D.S.G School orchestra and reggae band Undivided Roots.  Once again MCC have generously offered their services and will capture this incredible event from the skies using drones and a helicopter.

Without the numerous volunteers and support from companies like Ballid Security Howick, Prosound and KZN Weddings and Functions this event would not be possible.

“We will show the  world what we are doing, stitch by stitch, to keep the legacy of our beloved Nelson Mandela alive, by creating blankets and scarves for our fellow brothers, sisters, moms, dads and children who need extra warmth during our cold winter months, ”  says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.

“This is going to be a celebration of note. We have achieved Guinness World Records in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and now it is time for KZN to feel and experience the excitement and be part of our history as we mark and pay tribute to Madiba in his centenary year,” she adds.

Following the 27KmScarf event the scarves will be transported to all corners of South Africa and distributed to those in need. Although 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day can not guarantee the original scarves will be sent back to the provinces they came from, they do ensure that the same amount of scarves are sent back to be distributed.

Mandela Capture site on the R103 ( Howick / Tweedie off-ramp off the N3). Entrance is free and please bring your own picnic, chairs and picnic blankets. There will be food at the Truth Café.

Visit the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day website http://www.67blankets.co.za and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/67blankets to follow the build up to this momentous event.

NPO number:

http://www.67blankets.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/67blankets

Tweets by 67Blankets

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PUBLICITY

BRIDGET VAN OERLE AND SNEZIWE DUBE

011 673 0264 /011 477 0923

info@buz.co.za / buz@buz.co.za