Guvon Hotels proudly joined the Knitwits of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela movement three years ago. Since then our enthusiasm has grown for this heartwarming project and blanket contributions tripled, with the last donation this month totaling a whopping 183 blankets.
Carolyn Steyn (centre) seen with Guvon Hotels head office staff at the blanket handover ceremony at Guvon Hotels & Spas head office
In December 2013, Zelda la Grange, late former President Nelson Mandela’s trusted assistant, presented Carolyn Steyn, with a challenge: knit, sew or crochet 67 blankets! These blankets would then be distributed to those in need on Mandela Day. One year later Guvon Hotels and Spas got wind of this great idea and picked up the knitting and crochet needles and joined the movement.
Since then, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has transformed into what some are calling a movement that has captured the attention of many South African and international celebrities as well as corporates and “KnitWits for Madiba” in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Cyprus, London, the US and India.
Carolyn Steyn and her team took ownership of 183 blankets at the Guvon Hotels head office which was a combined effort from all the hotels in the group as well as Guvon Academy.
And the best part of the day after the staff excitement, the certificate handouts, the plethora of social media pics and hashtags? When Caroline stopped her car just outside our head office and handed one of our blankets to an elderly lady on the side of the road. That’s how we knit a nation together. One blanket at a time.
See www.guvonhotels.co.za for winter accommodation and Spa specials.
