Many hands make light work, and what better time to put this into practice than in honour of Mandela Day this week?
This week Mandela Day activities will be open to the public at the V&A Waterfront, catering for those who are not able to give of their time on Mandela Day itself. Beginning with knitting for the 67 Blankets project, and moving to a ‘Bead-off’ challenge and leatherworks lessons, Capetonians are invited to hone some of their skills at the V&A Waterfront this Mandela Day.
Several craft activities and projects have been planned for the day, and everyone is invited to assist in creating snug blankets, learn the art of handcrafting leather and witness the creation of beautifully beaded bracelets.
67 BLANKETS FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY
From Monday, 13 July, V&A Waterfront visitors can show their support for others by taking up their knitting needles to participate in ‘67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’. The global movement aims to knit and collect blankets to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s generosity and legacy.
The charity started as an appeal on Facebook a year ago, and is now a global movement, having smashed a Guinness World Record by laying over 3 000 square metres of blankets on the lawns of the Union Buildings in April this year. All blankets produced are donated to those in need.
Hosted by Den Anker from Monday, 13 July to Friday, 67 Blankets participants will receive a complimentary bowl of delicious Den Anker soup on arrival to warm body and soul in preparation of knitting up a storm. Participants are encouraged to bring their own wool from home, but can also purchase starter knitting kits at Den Anker for R75. All proceeds from starter kit sales go to the 67 Blankets Project. 67 Blankets at Den Anker will be open from 10am to 5pm.
The 67 Blankets project will move to the Watershed on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Saturday, 18 July from 11am to 4pm. Set up at the entrance close to the aquarium, the open space will accommodate more participants on Mandela Day.
For more information about the 67 Blankets Project, contact Nwabisa Mayema on 083 338 1849 or nwabisamayema@gmail.com
2015 RELATE BRACELETS BEAD-OFF
On Tuesday, 14 July from 11am to 1pm, a group of South African celebrities will be taking on the ‘Gogos from Relate bracelets’ in a beading challenge to raise awareness of SA’s senior citizens, ahead of Mandela Day that Saturday.
Soccer star Matthew Booth may be quick on the pitch, but can he bead a bracelet in under a minute? Former Miss South Africa Nicole Flint has been dressed by SA’s top designers, but how quickly can she thread accessories for change? Extreme conservationist and adventurer Braam Malherbe is saving the planet one day at a time, but how many bracelets can he bead for Relate’s wildlife and conservation beneficiaries?
These Relate ambassadors, as well as Bailey Schneider, DJ Sox, Jitsvinger, Tracey Lange, Mpumi Nobiva, and Kyla-Rose Smith of Freshlyground, will be battling the Relate senior beaders in a relay for 67 minutes. The longest thread wins – but Relate says their money is on the Gogos!
The event is in support of Relate Bracelet’s causes, which include Ikamva Labantu, Reach for a Dream, Grassroots Soccer, The Amy Biehl Foundation, Operation Smile, and Goodbye Malaria. In five years of existence, Relate Bracelets has raised more than R 28 million for a variety of causes.
For more information about the 2015 Relate Bracelets Bead-Off, contact Ashleigh Bedford on 071 455 3668
RESEARCH UNIT GIVING BACK
Watershed leatherworks store Research Unit (RU) is using the opportunity provided by Nelson Mandela Day to work on skill development among previously disadvantaged children and adults.
On Saturday, 18 July from 11am to 4pm, the leatherworks speciality store will be teaching children and adults how to stitch and design their own luxury leather products, in the hopes that it will spark an interest in this work among participants.
“Skills development is our way of giving back and is vital for job creation,” said RU co-founder Chad Petersen. Visitors of all ages are welcome to attend and part-take in the initiative.
For more information about Research Unit’s Giving Back Project, contact Loren George on 084 249 9899 or pr@researchunit.co.za
V&A WATERFRONT: MANDELA DAY ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Venue: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Date, Time, What & Where:
Monday, 13 – Friday, 17 July 10:00 – 17:00 ‘Stitch ‘n Slurp’: 67 Blankets for Mandela Day Den Anker Restaurant
Tuesday, 14 July 11:00 – 13:00 2015 Relate Bracelets Bead-Off The Watershed
Saturday, 18 July 11:00 – 16:00 67 Minutes with 67 Blankets for Mandela Day The Watershed
(entrance near the aquarium)
Saturday, 18 July 11:00 – 16:00 RU Giving Back on Mandela Day Research Unit store, The Watershed
