Twenty years on and South Africa – nay, the world – celebrated Madiba's release from prison on 11 February 1990.
Julie Murphy, who with husband Malcolm stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C last year (see my blog posted 20/09/09), has emailed me to tell me that she’s promoting the "Nelson Mandela Bangle" project from her home in the USA. She is also hoping to extend her reach into Canada. The 46664 (prisoner number 466, imprisoned ’64) bangle project is the initiative of Robert Coutts and has the approval of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Its aim is to create jobs in South Africa and raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness
Writes Julie, “What’s inspiring to me is that the bangles are made by those affected by the virus and Rob specifically chose to keep it local instead of outsourcing the packaging which is also made in South Africa. Money raised supports the Campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which has provided funds to several charities and HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives, like Khululeka, a play performed at schools to educate children about prevention of the virus. When people wear the 46664 Bangle, they wear the embrace of Nelson Mandela and echo his message of social responsibility. (Pic shows digital imprint of Madiba’s hand.)
“Some of the monies raised is channelled back into creating jobs and building skills and in fact each bangle has a unique serial number, which can be registered online, from which people can see what project their bangle purchase supports.
“I’ve known Rob since the 1990s and when he approached me to become part of the project in 2008, I jumped at the idea. After all, it's a link to and has a positive impact in South Africa. My challenge is to drive awareness in the States of Madiba the man and his legacy.”
With the soccer world cup imminent, Invictus doing the rounds of cinemas worldwide (pic of Julie sporting her 46664 t-shirt at the opening night) and the 20th anniversary news articles of Madiba’s release from prison, focus is once again centred on South Africa which all goes towards promoting the campaign.
“Without a budget it becomes a constant challenge to promote the bangle and encourage people to buy it,” says Julie. “There's a fan page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-46664-Bangle/195529711978 which helps spread the word but, to keep the project going, we really need people to BUY THE BANGLES.” Some of the Montblanc stores stock the silver/gold/plat bangles, but many more retailers are needed and Julie’s aim is to get a large retailer like Starbucks to stock the copper bangle and a smaller jewellery chain to carry the other bangles around the country.
Take a look at some of the videos at various pages on the website www.theBangle.com They're short (max 3 mins each) and give a good indication of the project’s vision. Through this Blog I am hoping to spread the word to the international visitors who might like a little souvenir of SA, which they can buy online at http://www.theBangle.com/buybangle.html . “And,” says Julie, we ship worldwide from the States.”
Julie Murphy, who with husband Malcolm stayed at Dolphin B&B+S/C last year (see my blog posted 20/09/09), has emailed me to tell me that she’s promoting the "Nelson Mandela Bangle" project from her home in the USA. She is also hoping to extend her reach into Canada. The 46664 (prisoner number 466, imprisoned ’64) bangle project is the initiative of Robert Coutts and has the approval of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Its aim is to create jobs in South Africa and raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness
Writes Julie, “What’s inspiring to me is that the bangles are made by those affected by the virus and Rob specifically chose to keep it local instead of outsourcing the packaging which is also made in South Africa. Money raised supports the Campaign of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which has provided funds to several charities and HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives, like Khululeka, a play performed at schools to educate children about prevention of the virus. When people wear the 46664 Bangle, they wear the embrace of Nelson Mandela and echo his message of social responsibility. (Pic shows digital imprint of Madiba’s hand.)
“Some of the monies raised is channelled back into creating jobs and building skills and in fact each bangle has a unique serial number, which can be registered online, from which people can see what project their bangle purchase supports.
“I’ve known Rob since the 1990s and when he approached me to become part of the project in 2008, I jumped at the idea. After all, it's a link to and has a positive impact in South Africa. My challenge is to drive awareness in the States of Madiba the man and his legacy.”
With the soccer world cup imminent, Invictus doing the rounds of cinemas worldwide (pic of Julie sporting her 46664 t-shirt at the opening night) and the 20th anniversary news articles of Madiba’s release from prison, focus is once again centred on South Africa which all goes towards promoting the campaign.
“Without a budget it becomes a constant challenge to promote the bangle and encourage people to buy it,” says Julie. “There's a fan page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-46664-Bangle/195529711978 which helps spread the word but, to keep the project going, we really need people to BUY THE BANGLES.” Some of the Montblanc stores stock the silver/gold/plat bangles, but many more retailers are needed and Julie’s aim is to get a large retailer like Starbucks to stock the copper bangle and a smaller jewellery chain to carry the other bangles around the country.
Take a look at some of the videos at various pages on the website www.theBangle.com They're short (max 3 mins each) and give a good indication of the project’s vision. Through this Blog I am hoping to spread the word to the international visitors who might like a little souvenir of SA, which they can buy online at http://www.theBangle.com/buybangle.html . “And,” says Julie, we ship worldwide from the States.”
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