MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A local initiative to knit and crochet squares for blankets that will be donated to organisations and individuals in need saw several school learners come together to learn these crafts for Mandela Day on 18 July.

The project was started by the Mossel Bay Rotary Club, in collaboration with the Goue Sleutel ATKV Youth branch of Garden Route High and the Langsous ATKV branch, in 2025 and is aimed at empowering both the youth and adults with knitting and crocheting skills, in an effort to alleviate unemployment and poverty and for them to build self-esteem.

Another important part of this project is, of course, creating and donating blankets to those who need them.

Last year, members from each group also learnt how to crochet, knit and join the squares into a blanket, and it was the same again this year.

Garden Route High’s Ilana Afrika said the learners managed to crochet, knit and put together two blankets. The ATKV also surprised the school by unveiling a welcome board for the school.

Afrika added that the ATKV’s regional co-ordinator, Jaco Spies, spent some of his birthday at the school during the event and celebrated it by sharing some cake with the learners.

Rotary and ATKV’s Claire du Plessis said Lorine van Zyl, a retired nurse of the Benevolent Park Retirement Village, was one of the facilitators, while Kathleen Frost, convener of the St Peter’s Knitting Project, served as the lead facilitator. They were assisted by Glynister Kiewit, a retired employee of the Department of Social Services.

Du Plessis, Afrika, Jaco Spies, Jayden Swart and one of the parents assisted with all the arrangements.
Afrika said the school was extremely grateful for the opportunity and thanked everyone involved.

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