The 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day campaign covered the grounds of the Union Buildings in Pretoria in a sea of blankets this morning in honour of Mandela.

The campaign encouraged South Africans to help knit, crochet or sew 21,000 blankets by 21 April 2015 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of our democracy on 27 April.

Campaign founder Carolyn Steyn says the event is a call for unity, which is especially necessary given the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“There will be a sea of blankets round the giant statue of Nelson Mandela and we will do an aerial photograph that will show the world what we are doing step by step to keep the legacy of Madiba alive during this time of devastation and mayhem in our country,” she said.

“Stitch by stitch, we will be keeping thousands of people around the world warm this winter in the name of our beloved Nelson Mandela. His legacy lives on in each blanket we produce with our own two hands.”

Gorgeous photo from the Union Buildings this morning 🙂 RT @lead_sa: Good luck @67Blankets @Carolyn_Steyn #67Blankets pic.twitter.com/ex2AH2DO44 — Ashleigh Tordiffe (@AshTordiffe) April 21, 2015

#67Blankets @Abramjee says today is a proud day for SA. The sea of blankets should make us all proud. @Carolyn_Steyn pic.twitter.com/sVPH5R9WMZ — Lead SA (@lead_sa) April 21, 2015

Wishing @Carolyn_Steyn all of the best for the @67Blankets @GWR attempt today! #67Blankets http://t.co/tOuin8lCEN pic.twitter.com/Oco4r4OZdz — Complimentary Brkfst (@comp_breakfast) April 21, 2015

Ladies from Protea North Soweto singing with founder Carolyn Steyn @67Blankets #GoodWoolCup pic.twitter.com/dkj0Sg5efV — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 21, 2015