67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Days celebrates knitting the nation together
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
The occasion was a real special one. You could tell by the happy faces of the guests. Coming together to celebrate one of the success stories in the charity world, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela held on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. If anything, this Non-Profit Organisation under the leadership of its founder Carolyn Steyn, has shown that when good hearted people come together for a common purpose something good has to come out the effort.
Celebrating 10 years of making blankets and distributing them to those less privileges, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is a bright spark during time when the country’s facing darkness of a different kind such as the constant electricity black threatening businesses. And that is not all as some parts of Johannesburg, including Auckland Park and Melville had no water for days now, starting at the weekend. Faced with such challenges it is easy for people to be anxious and not look at the bright side of life. It is however possible to create something that is transformative, such as the work that has been done by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day in the past nine years.
And indeed the occasion was attended by leading lights in the country, including Rertired Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke former freedom fighter and businesswoman, Cheryl Carolus, and Strictly Come Dancing participant Johannes Radebe among others.
When the formalities were over, it was time to party while enjoying a glass of wine, food and good company. There was also entertainment galore with musicians that included Timoty Moloi and PJ Powers performing for guests.
“We have enjoyed and basked in the glory of so many milestones over the years. But we do not bask for too long. We are too busy. We pride ourselves on the fact that 67 Blankets does not sleep. We pride ourselves on the fact that 67b Blankets does not sleep. We pride ourselves in a fact that we continue after nine years to knit our lives together knit our nation together,” Steyn said at the celebrations.