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. Anyone is welcome to come through on the 28th July from 10:00am to help sew scarves together and on the 29th July the site will be open the whole day with entertainment kicking off at 10:00am.
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 Godlo, 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 for sale at the Truth Café.
