Central SA
Secret Scarves initiative gives back to Bloemfontein needy─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:43 Tue, 22 Jul 2025
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Secret Scarves initiative, hand-crafted blankets and scarves have been delivered to those in need.
Knitters and crocheters got together at the War Museum of the Boer Republics in Bloemfontein.
They combined squares into blankets and knitted scarves to take part in Mandela Day on Friday (18/7) and spread warmth and love. 67 Blankets and Squares of Love for Nelson Mandela Day is a non-profit initiative that mobilises people to knit and crochet blankets and scarves to help those in need, honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy of giving and compassion.
“We had a lot of fun crocheting together. We created blankets that will be donated to Anchor of Hope’s Miracle House and also to Angel’s Arms,” said War Museum marketing manager Dané Swanepoel.
“We wanted to show with the fact that crocheting was done during the time of the war in the concentration camps to help people in need, so we wanted to bring that in today’s Mandela Day to also help people who need our help.”
The day consisted of young and old people knitting inside the restaurant, and they were served with food and gifted with scarves. Each hand-made scarf carries a special 67 Blankets label, reading: “I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me. With Love, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.”
The group of knitters and crocheters that combined squares into blankets and knitted scarves. Photo: Zenande Mpame
“We had a wonderful morning where we handed out scarves, we had soup, and we made connections,” said Free State 67 Blankets Ambassador Jamilla Wymers. “People who want to be part of this beautiful movement of ours can join by contacting the museum.”
One of the sponsors who donated wool to Squares of Love was Saprotex Spinners, under Elle Yarns, the only spinning factory left in South Africa. “We find it very important to be involved in community projects like this that help uplift communities,” said Saprotex Spinners ambassador Tony Nunes.
“We tend to forget sometimes what someone says, what someone does, but the way you make someone feel lasts forever, and this is a big part of what we love to do and be a part of.”
