Helderbergers have a couple days left to open their hearts to Somerset West native Tracey Lange’s Mandela Day initiative which calls on avid knitters and crocheters to warm up their needles by clicking away in aid of a worthy cause.
The popular knit-along, GeKnit Dit Met Tacey Lange is in full swing and locals have until Wednesday (12 July) to donate lovingly knitted or crocheted items, or even store-bought winter woollens, toward the initiative which has also garnered the support of a Strand primary school. Hendrik Louw Primary School is one of three local schools working in collaboration with the KFM 94.5 radio personality in aid of four beneficiaries including Sencit Resthaven Old Age Home where donated items will be distributed on Tuesday 18 July.
“Hendrik Louw being one of the school ambassadors, has not only championed knitting items as a school community (both pupils and teachers alike) they also got behind the parents involved and started collecting items that can be distributed to the identified beneficiaries. Hendrik Louw has inspired even more businesses to get involved and offer to help in any way that is needed,” explains Lange.
The initiative was born during lockdown and from Lange’s burning desire to have everyone do just one thing for someone in need.
According to Lange it was clear from the start that Capetonians are very keen to help their neighbour or anyone in need, but not always knowledgeable of ways to assist. “I think we all often think that you need to do something big to help, but sometimes just doing something small, with your own hands, makes you feel like you are part of making a difference and it opens our eyes to the needs to so many others,” she relates.
So the initiative requires locals to knit or donate one item during the period of 18 May to 12 July aims to encourage people to always look a little further than their own issues and struggles, take charge and make a difference. “I can guarantee we are often so much better off than we think and we need to keep reaching out and helping others. Even just one person,” she says.
“Every year I plan to start in May, but by end of March I’ve got a myriad of messages of loyal followers and listeners, asking when I am starting with GeKnit Dit and that is what has kept this going! Even though we have selected four beneficiaries in the Western Cape, you’d be surprised by the amount of listeners further afield who start knitting with their friends and families and then donate to their local charity.”
Since its humble beginning, the initiative boasts immense growth and success. Lange says in it’s first year (2020), over 800 donated items were collected and distributed to children’s homes. Every year since countless items have been donated to four different children’s homes. The Louwtjies got involved in June after school principal Jacques Horne reached out, offering to help.
“With Hendrik Louw coming on board, we got so much more traction and got an even wider reach with more businesses also offering assistance and especially getting young people involved, showing that care for someone in need, isn’t reserved only for an adult. It shows that anyone and everyone can do something,” says Lange. “Currently it looks like we’ll be able to take care of more than just the four old age homes, but we’ll only be able to confirm for certain after Wednesday (12 July) when we collect the items.”
Lange further implores Helderbergers to support by knitting or donating a warm item and dropping it off at Hendrik Louw Primary School in Piet Retief Street, Strand.
“Just a message of thanks for already assisting as wonderfully as they have and for showing that the heart of those in the Helderberg, is in the right place.”
