The City of Cape Town’s Southfield Library Knitting Club created 252 items for an orphanage in celebration of Mandela Day. The wool and needles were donated by patrons and residents. Six avid knitters turned the donations into a variety of woolly creations.
‘The ladies of the Southfield Library Knitting Club have been contributing to Mandela Day for the past three years with their beautiful and colourful items made from donations from patrons and the generous community. This is in true Madiba spirit as the community has come together to give of their time, talent and materials to brighten the lives of those less fortunate,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Although the knitting club consists of a small group of ladies, they met each Wednesday morning at the library to socialise, have a cup of tea and of course, let their knitting needles do the talking. That was before COVID-19 regulations forced them to change their pattern and now the ladies knit at home, although they miss the companionship.
This year’s knitted stash of 106 blankets, 17 soft toys, 38 jerseys, 54 beanies, 21 pairs of booties and 16 pairs of bed socks were handed over to Gift of the Givers to donate to a local orphanage.
‘Our libraries are part and parcel of the communities where they are located. Every bit we do for others, no matter how big or small or whether we provide the wool or knit the items, builds our communities and adds to our own legacy. I want to encourage everyone to do their bit this Mandela Day, and as often as they’re able, and to look to this small guild of knitters,’ added Councillor Badroodien.