This July, shoppers were dazzled by a display at Brooklyn Mall. The incredibly talented students from STADIO School of Fashion were challenged to reimagine handcrafted items made by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela and deliver a fusion of fashion and yarn designed to captivate patrons. The posse of up-and-coming young couturiers competed for cash prizes.

On Wednesday, July 17th 2024 the prize winners were announced at an event hosted in the Woolworths Court at Brooklyn Mall. The students from the Stadio School of Fashion were joined by dignitaries, including Carolyn Steyn ( Founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day), sponsor of The Curated Collection, Rael Demby ( CEO of The South African Gold Coin Exchange & The Scoin Shop), Debbie Mayes ( GM of Embassy Direct), Peta-Lynn Pope (Director of Embassy Direct), the Chilean Ambassador - His Excellency Julio Fiol and Katie Herbert who heads up the International Diplomatic Spouses Association as well as the management team from Brooklyn Mall.

In an early nod to Mandela Day celebrations, the programme for the day included:

Rael Demby handing over scarves created by the Staff of The South African Gold Coin Exchange and The Scoin Shop to Carolyn Steyn.

His Excellency Julio Fiol handing over a scarf representing the colours of the Chilean national flag.

Carolyn Steyn handing over blankets and scarves made by 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day to the Chilean Ambassador, His Excellency Julio Fiol. 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day

These were then distributed to outreach projects supported by the diplomatic community.

Carolyn Steyn also presented two special handcrafted blankets to The Scoin Shop and the Brooklyn Mall in appreciation for their support of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, made by their team of Knit-wits

We have been proud supporters of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day since we started in 2014. We are thrilled to announce that we are upping our commitment by launching our new Kindness is the Golden Thread campaign this year.

We are sponsoring wool to the tune of R67 000! which means 1300 balls of wool are on the way to the “KnitWits for Madiba”, and their dedicated crafters can gear up production and work towards an estimated 300 blankets. 

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day rely on the skills, hard work and “GoodWool” of their Ambassadors and “KnitWits” to keep the blankets coming. Every crafter needs a huge pile of wool, and this amazing donation means that 1300 balls are headed to our yarn goddesses!

Rael Demby, CEO of the SAGCE & The Scoin Shop, says,

Our business continues to spread the word of gold and collecting, with over 120 employees around the country. All of our staff and their families are golden to us. We believe in the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day motto “make every day a Mandela day” and will continue to find ways to make South Africa a warmer, kinder place.

Mandela Day is just around the corner. 67 Blankets for Mandela Day is all about making a positive impact to honour the legacy of Madiba. We are proud to be adding this message from SAGCE & The Scoin Shop: Kindness is the Golden Thread and are excited to see so many blankets bringing warmth and hope to vulnerable communities. 

"The gift of hope is the biggest gift we can give South Africans. This massive R100 000 donation of wool from SAGCE & The Scoin Shop will allow our volunteers to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks and deliver warmth and hope to countless communities," says Carolyn Steyn.

This year's initiative sees the joining of forces of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day with Gift of the Givers, who exemplify ethical and compassionate leadership. The founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said: "Gift of the Givers appreciates the partnership with 67 Blankets for Mandela as this relationship embodies the concept of active citizenry and selflessness where we as a nation stand up and hold hands together to assist the most vulnerable and least endowed within our communities. A blanket symbolises hope, bringing warmth, comfort, ease and specifically unconditional love when knitted by a complete stranger for a fellow national. This selfless action by those who encourage, promote, knit and sponsor the campaign is, in essence, an act of deep spirituality for the greater good, providing a better life for all in keeping with the ethos of Mandela Day and what the late president epitomised."

South African crafters are rallying together to help create the Rainbow Nation Blanket of Hope. Using wool sponsored by SAGCE & The Scoin Shop, blankets of all sizes and colours are being handed in and sorted for the big reveal on 11th May 2022.