We can hear the cows and goat bells as they wander outside. There is much interest when the food parcels from the Ulundi Pick ‘n Pay arrive. Senior pupils help carry the 30 Stuttafords boxes containing about 200 blankets to the tiny pre-primary section where the ceremony is to be held – their curiosity is tangible.
We are early and while we wait for the dignitaries to arrive, the crew from SABC News, myself and Mphumelelo Mdakane from The Siyazisiza Trust go with one of the Grade 6 pupils, Nomcebo Mncube (age 11) to her homestead. When we arrive there is much activity and we are told that her grandmother had passed away the day before and they are preparing for the funeral. Nomcebo’s grandmother, whose meager pension was their only source of income, had been looking after her and her two sisters while her mother was away trying to find work. She had returned but would have to go away again, leaving her three daughters behind to take care of themselves.
While the TV crew is filming, I am invited into the homestead where the elders are ‘sitting in mourning’ (ukukhala). An old lady – stick thin – is sitting on a very, very thin mattress on a cold floor; her eyes filled with sadness but her spirit strong and accepting. They are surprised and amused that I sit on the mat in the traditional manner, and with Mpumelelo’s help I have a long conversation with them.
I speak to them about the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day movement and how many, many people have made blankets in Madiba’s name to be distributed with love. More women join us and amongst them are two other children, one extremely thin and wrapped in a towel for warmth. I promise them that I will find blankets for them.
When we return to the school, many of the dignitaries have arrived, including Mntwana (Prince) Zuzifa Buthelezi, as well as a group of parents and other tiny children. The school children walk down in lines and are led to stand in a group. While waiting for the proceedings to begin, they burst into song. One of the teachers, Mr Buthelezi, takes the role of Master of Ceremonies. He starts the proceedings and the children listen intently, standing quietly.
When it is time for the blankets to be distributed, the children come up in lines and their faces light up as they each receive their blanket. It is amazing how the brown grass of the playground and landscape beyond are transformed into a place of bright colour as the children wrap themselves in their blankets with much laughter and celebration.
The women from the community ululate and celebrate - the sounds of happiness and laughter echo through the surrounding hills. A brave young pupil from Grade 8 gives a heartfelt speech thanking all for their contributions and highlighting how this day would stay with them forever. After this, the children entertain us with traditional song and dance before receiving their refreshments.
We go back to the homestead as the TV Crew want more footage. There are three blankets left over, which I take with me. Two blankets are given to Nomcebo’s sisters and the third I wrap around the thin shoulders of the grieving old woman whose face beams as she looks down and sees and feels the blanket: light in a place of darkness.
Back at the school, we are profusely thanked by the teachers, by the parents and by many of the pupils saying that they will never forget this day – and neither will I. To all those who knitted and crocheted, I can assure you that each stitch is a blessing and that your love and warmth will be felt for a long time going forward – both when the blankets are being used, but even more so because the warmth of your love has gone straight to the hearts of those who have received them. I know that Madiba is looking down and smiling, because we are spreading Madiba Magic and we all know how powerful that is…
With thanks and appreciation to the following: Pick ‘n Pay Ulundi, Stuttafords, The Siyazisiza Trust, Unitrans, and the staff at Maqiyane Primary School - and also, and perhaps most importantly, those knitwits who give so readily of their time and energies to make days like this possible!
Eugenie Drakes, June 2015 Johannesburg
