Inner city Johannesburg communities get a cup of coffee and receive scarfs from 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
The first thing that one noticed immediately at the fenced Port Plein Park, in the Johannesburg CBD was swarms of people that were filing in. Their faces were expectant and curious and maybe, a little bit doubting that this was real. After all who in their mind would create so many scarfs taking both love and one’s time to create, only to give these scarfs away to the public for free.
Their doubts however must have been dashed the moment they entered the park as the representative of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day assured the public at the gate that the gift was for real. Only condition being that nobody must take more than one scarf each.
However, looking at those scarfs and how beautiful they looked I have my doubts if all the people heeded the request to only take one. I mean the colours of the scarfs were diverse and so were the designs, and therefore, if some took more than one, they could easily be excused for the temptation to take more than one was just too huge to ignore. It could be felt even among the needy faces. I even thought that I must have heard more than three people whispering that they needed to take one more for their loved ones at home.
What was clear though was that the hordes of people that turned up on Friday, July, 18, 2025, in the Johannesburg CBD, on Mandela Day, were well behaved and appeared to appreciate the gift of the scarfs as well as the generosity of their hosts. The hosts were a plethora of organisations working mainly in the inner city who this year collaborated with 67 Blankest for Nelson Mandela Day to once again put a smile on mainly marginalized communities. These are people who during this cold winter have to fight away the cold.
“My husband must be happy to see this. And as you can see people came in large numbers, are respectful of each other and there is no such thing as grabbing here. This is the third year in a row that we have given these scarfs to the people in the Johannesburg CBD,” Carolyn Steyn, the widow of the late business mogul Dow Steyn, who passed on this year told CITYL/IFE/ARTS in an interview.
Carolyn started 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day after she was challenged to do so by Zelda Le Grange Mandela’s famous former Personal Assistant in 2015.
The campaign has since grown, which sees volunteers from diverse backgrounds, such as from overseas, some South African prisons and enthusiasts from every corner of South Africa participate by knitting scarfs to be distributed to the public to fight the cold on Mandela Day every year. The scarfs are distributed at strategic points around the country, locations that are carefully chosen where the needy are mostly found.
But on the day, I could not help but notice two snaking queues, and these were people that were being given a cup of coffee, and thanks to the United Ethiopian Community Association in South Africa, who alongside other organisations such as the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership, the City Sightseeing Bus / Red Bus, Stuttaford van Lines collaborated with 67 Blanket for Nelson Mandela Day to create the experience and relieve some of the pains of the mainly marginalized persons in Johannesburg.
The patience and the determination to get to the coffee point demonstrated by the people on the queue, in one way reminded me of the queues of 1994, during the democratic elections in South Africa that brought freedom to the country, transitioning from apartheid into a new country free of racial discrimination.The just like what I saw, queue snaked for long distances and the voters were both determined and patient to cast their votes. The result was the ushering in of a new era in South Africa, and Mandela became the first democratically elected President of South Africa.
July in South Africa is celebrated as Nelson Mandela Month, a time to commemorate the enduring legacy of our beloved former President, Nelson Mandela. For the passionate KnitWits® of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, it’s another opportunity to share warmth and kindness through the Secret Scarf Shhh initiative. Now in its 10th year, this vibrant, heartwarming campaign spreads “GoodWool” across the nation, said Steyn.
“The 10th anniversary of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day is a truly remarkable milestone. I could never have imagined the incredible momentum our Secret Scarves initiative would gain over the years. Over the past decade, our KnitWits have lovingly crafted and distributed thousands of scarves, each one a thread of hope and warmth for someone in need. 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.”
In fact, on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18th, thousands of lovingly hand-knitted scarves appeared in secret spots nationwide. Each scarf, crafted with care, carried a special 67 Blankets tag that reads: “I AM NOT LOST. IF YOU ARE COLD AND NEED ME, PLEASE TAKE ME. With LOVE, 67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY,” urging those in need to take it to stay snug.
The Secret Scarves mission blends creativity and compassion, showcasing the warmth of the makers and inviting new friends to join our knitting and crochet movement.
And just like in 1994, diverse classes from different backgrounds, old and young, white and black, wealthy and those struggling seemed to be getting along well at Port Plein Park.
I asked Carolyn whether or not she had no fear venturing into the Johannesburg CBD, especially because many have since abandoned the city for a safe life in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, and only venture into the city in situation they cannot avoid, but even then, with much fear and loathing.
“Fear. Me, no. I do not fear at all, I have traveled to prisons around the country, and I have always been treated with much respect by the people there. And so, I do not fear being in the inner city,” she emphatically responded, appearing to be surprised by my question.