How to Take Part in the 67 Blankets Mandela Day Project

Experience has taught us that when South Africans unite, we can achieve so much more. That’s why, on Mandela Day in 2020, Auto and General encouraged you to spend 67 minutes of your time knitting a scarf for someone who needed it. 

Why Knitting a Scarf Matters on Mandela Day

Mandela Day encourages each of us to give 67 minutes of service to uplift others. By making a scarf, you offered warmth, dignity and comfort to someone who may have been facing hardship. It’s a small act with a big impact and a way to honour Mandela’s legacy through compassion and generosity. Through our CSI initiatives, we ensure we always care for our community.

How to Join the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Initiative

Here’s how you can still take part in this incredible project:

• Spend 67 minutes of your time knitting or crocheting a scarf/blanket.

• Nominate friends and family to do the same.

• Once done, leave the scarf in a public area where people in need can find it. 

• Include a message of hope (see below for some examples).

• Post a picture of the scarf in the place you left it on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter) using the hashtag #AutoandGeneral. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting or Crocheting Your Scarf

If you’re thinking of knitting a scarf for a future Mandela Day project, here’s how to get started. You’ll need:

• Wool

• H/8, 5.00mm hook

• Yarn Needle

• Scissors

• A scarf pattern (find pattern options here)

If you’re new to this, take a look at these step-by-step beginner videos for crocheting or knitting a scarf.

Sharing a Message of Hope with Your Scarf

To further share the spirit of Mandela Day, include a message of hope with your scarf in the language of your choice. Here are some examples: 

• English: I am not lost. If you are cold and need me, please take me.

• Afrikaans: Ek is nie verlore nie. Neem my asseblief as u koud is en my nodig het.

• Sesotho: Ha kea lahleha. Haeba o hatsetse mme wa ntlhoka, nkuke.

• Isizulu: Angilahlekile. Uma ubanda futhi ungidinga, ngicela ungithathe.

• IsiXhosa: Andilahlekanga. Ukuba uyabanda kwaye uyandidinga, nceda undithathe.

• Setswana: Ha ka latlhega. Ge eba o gatsetse, mme wa ntlhoka, ntsaye.

• Tshivenda: Athingo xela. Arali nikho upfa phepho, navha nitshi khou ntoda, ndi kho humbela ni nzhie.

• Sepedi: Ga ka lahlega. Ge o ekwa go tonya le gona o ntlhoka, ke kgopela o ntsee.

• Xitsonga: Ani lahlekani. Loko u titimela u ni lava, nikombela u ni teka.

Auto and General's Support for the Food Security Programme

For every scarf shared online, we also did our part by donating funds to a soup kitchen in Diepsloot, in association with The Food Security Programme. Auto and General is committed to echoing the spirit of Mandela Day and doing our part to help our community every day. We encourage you to continue doing so as well.