Carolyn Steyn and Paul Mashatile
Saturday, 18 July 2015 marked the sixth annual Nelson Mandela International Day, and around the world people got busy lending helping hands.
The University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus was a hub of activity as people young and old attended the 67 Blankets for Mandela Day event.
Various choirs from around Johannesburg, dancers and learners from Jeppe Girls High School entertained those in attendance with song, dance and readings relating to Kliptown’s history and heritage.
Pastor Maurine Seipatela from the Alpha World Ministries Elderly Daycare in Soweto said, “We work together and are part and parcel of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 67 Blankets for Mandela Day initiative. Today we are here to celebrate tata Mandela’s birthday and celebrate all the work he has done – not only for our country, but for the whole world.”
Paul Mashatile, provincial chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng, was also in attendance and congratulated the initiative’s founder, Carolyn Steyn.
“This is a very good initiative started by Carolyn in 2013, and I had the opportunity while I was still minister of arts and culture, to discuss and support the initiative.
“It has grown so much now and everybody wants to knit blankets, especially the old ladies who are on pension as they have the time to knit. Over 8 000 blankets have been produced so far over a period of three months, and I’m sure by the end of the year that number will go well beyond 10 000 blankets,” Mashatile added.
Timothy Moloi, a proud ambassador of 67 Blankets for Mandela Day, said the initiative resonated with him when he first heard about it.
Graça Machel speaking during the event
“It’s something very practical and easy, and stands in line with the work of Mandela’s legacy, because he said it’s in our hands, so now it’s time for us to carry on with the work he did. He sacrificed a lot for us and we need to do the little we can to help each other,” said Moloi.
Nelson Mandela’s widow, Graça Machel urged all those present to remember the warmth and love that will be felt by those receiving the blankets, and that they will not only represent hope support and comfort, but will also show that they count, are valued and cared for.
“We have shelter, we have warm homes, and when we give somebody who doesn’t have these things a blanket, we’re telling them ‘you count, we value you’. So thank you to each and every one of you for joining this movement, and giving more of your time and hearts every time you knit.”