67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day invites South Africans to mark a significant milestone: the celebration of its 11th birthday! The organisation, known for knitting warmth into communities by providing blankets and scarves for those in need, will commemorate its incredible journey with a special event at The Farmhouse at Steyn City on Saturday, 25 January 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Entry to this heart-warming celebration is merely a handmade “Happy Blanket” – crafted with love or balls of wool that will make up a blanket to contribute to a larger cause – the journey to the Hugest Happiness Blanket.
The Journey to the Hugest Happiness Blanket
This year’s anniversary kicks off the “Journey to the Hugest Happiness Blanket ” initiative, where all collected blankets will form part of the iconic Hugest Happiness Blanket, destined for the Eastern Cape. Thanks to the generous support of Stuttaford Van Lines, the blankets donated at the birthday celebration will be transported from Johannesburg to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, where they will bring joy and comfort to communities in need.
KnitWitsÔ across South Africa are encouraged to celebrate in their own way, coming together in a spirit of unity and creativity to continue the mission of spreading warmth. No matter where people are in the country, they can contribute by creating their own blankets and sending them down to Gqeberha via ambassadors all over the country. These blankets will be laid out on the 20 March 2025 at the Nelson Mandela University to make the worlds Hugest Happiness Blanket which is the United Nations International Day of Happiness.
As 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day weaves its way into the next decade, every stitch counts in making this year’s initiative the most impactful tapestry of warmth and kindness yet.
A Legacy of Compassion
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day was founded in 2013 by Carolyn Steyn after being challenged by Zelda la Grange, Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant, to crochet 67 blankets in honour of Mandela Day – one for each year of his public service. What began as a small act of kindness quickly blossomed into a global movement. Over the years, thousands of volunteers, affectionately called “KnitWitsÔ”, have come together to create and donate blankets, bringing warmth to communities in need and spreading Madiba’s legacy of compassion, unity, and giving back.
Over the past 11 years, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has grown into a global movement of volunteers dedicated to knitting hope and happiness into the fabric of South African communities. From breaking world records to transforming public spaces with breath-taking blanket installations, the organisation has stayed true to its ethos: compassion, unity, and giving back.
Founder Carolyn Steyn shares: “It’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come. This 11th birthday is not just a celebration of our achievements but a rallying call for the future. Let’s unite, stitch by stitch, to continue Madiba’s legacy of love and care.”
Save the Date!
We look forward to celebrating with you:
Date: Saturday, 25 January 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Venue: The Farmhouse at Steyn City
Entry: A handmade “Happy Blanket” or a donation of wool that will make up a blanket. There will be wool on sale on the day with Kismet and The Wool Shoppe being present.
An RSVP to the birthday is essential as numbers are limited rsvp@67blankets.co.za
Get Involved
Join the KnitWits movement by creating your own blanket in bright, cheerful colours and contributing it to this year’s Happiness Blanket. All submissions outside of Johannesburg or not part of the 11 birthday celebration should be sent to the nearest 67 Blankets ambassador by early February 2025. These details can be found on our website.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate 11 years of knitting warmth and happiness, we invite everyone to be part of the next chapter. Together, we can continue to transform lives, one stitch at a time.
For more information, https://67blankets.co.za
Facebook : 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa)
IG: 67blankets
