Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers plans to donate 4,500 blankets to victims of the recent KwaZulu-Natal floods.
The blankets, which were crocheted by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day knit wits, were put together to make a giant blanket themed the Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope. Knit wits is a name given to members of the 67 Blankets organisation who are spread across the country.
The blanket was revealed at Steyn City during a celebration event dedicated to the frontline healthcare workers who worked through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founder Carolyn Steyn said it was befitting that the blankets be given to the Gift of the Givers for the humanitarian work they are already doing in KZN.
"The 4,500 blankets on the Steyn City School field will be given to communities in need, hundreds have already been distributed to the victims of the floods disaster in KZN by Gift of the Givers; 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day needed to respond to the immediate needs of the people in KwaZulu-Natal," she said.
Marilyn Lesia, 52, a school teacher from the Bloemfontein Knit Wits, who has been knitting since she was 10 years old, has been involved with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day for two years. Lesia contributed 30 blankets alone.
"This is work from the heart, you have to love helping other communities in order for you to enjoy doing it. We distribute to schools and the elderly; when children receive these blankets, it makes my heart overwhelmed," she said.
Lesia said she hoped knitting could be reintroduced back in schools because it is a form of therapy that could help calm pupils.
Crocheting has been therapy for Anna Wymers-Magogo. The 63-year-old grandmother credits crocheting for helping her through a difficult period in her life.
"Crocheting has been a recovery and a grateful gift for me because I had bad health issues. I could not use my hands. I was in a wheelchair and did not have the use of my hands, so with every stitch that I make I say 'thank you God for giving me the opportunity to use my hands again'. When my grandchild asks me how much I get paid for this, I tell her the reward is the smile on the faces of the recipients," she said.
Wymers-Magogo has been with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day since its inception in 2015.
The event was hosted by comedian Siv Ngesi, and attended by guests such as UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, activist Yusef Abramjee and Dr Amany Asfour from Egypt's Business and Professional Women, with performances from Grammy award-winner flutist Wouter Kellerman, PJ Powers, Mzansi Youth Choir and Bongi Mthombeni.
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