Convicts help make massive Madiba blanket
THE largest Nelson Mandela portrait blanket the world has ever seen was revealed yesterday at Zonderwater Correctional Centre in Cullinan, outside of Pretoria.
This was an initiative embarked by 67 blankets for Nelson Mandela Day in honour of his centenary celebration and 24 years of South Africa’s democracy.
The blanket, which has covered over 8 000m², has the face of the beloved former president Madiba as a tribute for his service for the fight for equal human rights in South Africa.
Over 4 000 blankets were knitted by people from different walks of life from all over the world, many of them being convicted criminals from places such as Zonderwater prison.
The inmates were responsible for the two-day creative process that went into assembling the blankets to form Madiba’s face.
What has been called the Mandela Massive Masterpiece could only be seen from space, via satellite or on a helicopter ride.
Lucas Booysen, 49, who has been in jail for nine years, said that the 67 blankets initiative has been beneficial to his rehabilitation.
“I wanted to do something for my community,” he said. “I’m in jail but this programme has made me feel free.”
Thabo Maboya, 34, who has been in and out of prison, said that the 67 blanket initiative has made him rethink his life.
“Before I came to prison I thought that knitting was only for women,” he said.
Maboya said that although he has been ridiculed by other inmates for knitting for the poor, it has helped him stay out of gangs in prison and learn a skill that could be beneficial to his future when he is released.
Entertainment was provided by talented inmates such as the Kgosi Mampuru Choir, The Zonderwater Inmates Choir and the Jazz Crusaders.
The auspicious occasion was attended by the late Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel, Member of Parliament Bantu Holomisa and the King of the Royal Bafokeng.
“Knitting blankets has created an ocean of love and solidarity,” said Machel. She added that although the Mandela family was grieving the death of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, such occasions were important to celebrate.
The thousands of blankets that have been knitted and collected in less than a year will be separated and sent to disadvantaged communities.