Zelda in town for 67 Blankets event

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Zelda la Grange, who was President Nelson Mandela's personal assistant, will herself be in Mossel Bay for the 67 Blankets for Mandela event tomorrow, 13 May.

La Grange will give a speech at the venue, the town hall.

Usually all the blankets made every year as part of the nationwide project, are sent to a central location, but this year Carolyn Steyn, the founder of the project, decided to do a roadshow to a few centres: Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Bloemfontein, Daantjie in Mpumalanga, White River, Johannesburg, Durban and Gqeberha.

The blankets made in the Mossel Bay area will be on display in the town hall and there will be performances by school groups and local performers and entertainment for children. Proceedings start at 10:00. The function is free.

Honour

Shortly after President Mandela passed away, La Grange suggested to celebrity and patron of the arts Carolyn Steyn, that she start a project to honour Mr Mandela. This was how 67 Blankets for Mandela started. Each year the blankets are created in anticipation of his birthday on 18 July and distributed to the needy. La Grange noted to Mossel Bay Advertiser this week: "I have family in Mossel Bay so I often visit the town."

She visited Cape Town, which is on the roadshow list and is coming to Mossel Bay. "Unfortunately my schedule doesn't allow visits to all the centres. I live in the Overstrand and logistically it makes sense to visit these two for now. I will, however, support the initiative whenever I can."

'Spectacular'

La Grange enthused: "Mossel Bay is one of the most spectacular towns in South Africa.

"You have a good and caring municipality. In comparison to other towns Mossel Bay is on par with the best. People struggle because of the economy, but that doesn't diminish the beauty with which you are surrounded.

"Take time to appreciate and value the surroundings and the fact that many things still work. Civil society is what holds this country together at the moment and each action, such as participating in 67 Blankets or any other charitable organisation, is a step to strengthen our social fibre as society. I look forward to seeing what the knitters have done."

It is a feather in Mossel Bay's cap that it was included in the short list of places for Carolyn Steyn's roadshow.

She and Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé will also give short speeches at the town hall tomorrow.

Steyn said this week: "Mossel Bay, although smaller than major cities in South Africa, can be proud of its bigheartedness and willingness to rise to any challenge.

'Proud and astounded'

"67 Blankets is immensely proud and astounded by the number of beautiful blankets and genuine 'goodwool' shown by the people of the town. As Madiba said, 'It is in your hands now.'

"Mossel Bay has been part of the 67 Blankets family for years, with dedicated ambassadors and 'KnitWits' who give freely of their time and resources. Mossel Bay is our second 'port of call' on the #LocalBlanketsisLekka roadtrip. Over the past nine years, all our blankets made in South Africa have been displayed en masse each year at a particular venue or site.

"We believe it is time for new beginnings. It's a new dawn, a new day. It is time to come to YOU and entrust you with making the town of Mossel Bay super proud. 67 Blankets never sleeps."

For more information on the programme in the town hall tomorrow, see www.mosselbayadvertiser.com.