• July 3, 2008

The 46664 silver, gold and platinum bracelets were launched at a function in Sandton on Thursday, July 3

Ahmed Kathrada holds the bangle that Peggy Harris sent him from America

Robert Coutts discusses the inspiration behind the 46664 bangle initiative

Bangle is meant as more than a fashion statement

Bangle designers Rael Kahn, left, and Josiah Mogane

Rivonia Trialist Ahmed Kathrada and actress Hlubi Mboya pose with the 46664 bangle

A bit of metal around one’s wrist is not always a choice.

For the political prisoners during apartheid, a loop of metal around a wrist or ankle was a symbol of oppression, of a lack of freedom, of a lack of democracy.

For families of these prisoners and supporters of the struggle around the world, a metal bangle around the wrist, with the prisoner’s number or name on it, was a sign of support for those who were incarcerated.

It was in this spirit that 46664’s silver, gold and platinum wrist bangles were launched in South Africa tonight at a star-studded event in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Bearing the now-famous prison number of Nelson Mandela, the bangles are going on sale worldwide with proceeds going to 46664.

The purpose of the bangles, said Robert Coutts, CEO of Coutts Incorporated, the company that developed the bangles, is threefold: to create upliftment; to generate funds to fight against HIV/AIDS; and to broaden the circle of those who want to fight against the disease.

To that end, the bangles are totally South African.

The silver, gold and platinum all come from South Africa. The machining, tooling and packaging are all South African.

“We could have got the boxes made in China, which would have cost about R6 a box, and each one would have been perfect,” Coutts said at the launch. “A box made in South Africa costs around R42 and is never perfect, but it took single mothers off the streets who are now making boxes for us.”

A minimum of 48% of gross profits per bangle goes towards 46664. The bangles themselves, and the 46664 initiative, are attracting partners from around the world who want to become involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“The sale of one bangle will buy enough porridge to feed a child for a year,” Coutts said.

As a symbol of hope, the bangles, and what they mean, are best described by Ahmed Kathrada, who was imprisoned on Robben Island after the Rivonia Trial.

“Recently I learnt that there were two types of bangles. One was a symbol of degradation, a bangle used to curb freedom of movement, a bangle so that one group of people could claim mastery over another. This was a handcuff.

“But I learnt that there was another type of bangle.

“When I left Robben Island I received a letter from Reverend Suzanne Peterson in Grahamstown. Inside the letter was a bangle with my name on it. It was a bangle that symbolised hope.”

For Reverend Peterson, the bracelets that she and her colleagues in the Anti-Apartheid Movement wore were a symbol of their commitment against apartheid.

“We each had a bracelet with one of the political prisoners’ names on them. Mine was Walter Sisulu,” she recalled. “We were committed to wearing them until they were released, and when Mr Sisulu was released I sent him mine in 1991.”

“Later, one of my Iowa colleagues, Peggy Harris, who had Mr Kathrada’s name on her bracelet, asked me to send him hers.”

According to Reverend Peterson, the bracelets came about from the Vietnam War, when people in America would wear a bracelet with the name of soldiers who went missing in action.

This message of determination is echoed by Hlubi Mboya, famous for her part in the South African drama series Isidingo – where she plays Nandipha, a young woman infected with HIV.

“Along with Mr Mandela, I share a vision to see a generation free of HIV,” she enthused at the bangle launch function.

Designed by Rael Kahn, with the help of artisan Josiah Mogane, the bracelets go on sale in South Africa tomorrow, July 4, 2008, in selected Mont Blanc and American Swiss/Sterns shops around the country.

And already, even before they go on sale, the bracelets have attracted enormous interest from the South African public.

“We have waiting lists of five to 10 people at all of our stores,” said Lerato Zako, spokesperson for the Sterns/American Swiss jewellery company, which along with Mont Blanc is a partner in the initiative.

The campaign was launched internationally at Mont Blanc’s Bond Street store in London, and the bangles have already raised money for Madiba’s charities. A platinum diamond-encrusted 46664 Bangle was auctioned for £350 000 (R5,6-million) at a fundraising gala dinner for the Mandela charities, held on 25 June at Hyde Park, London. Danny K and Kurt Darren attended the London launch at the Bond Street Mont Blanc store.

If you are interested in buying a bangle, the 46664 Bangle call centre number is 0860 946664. The easiest way to buy bangles is to visit your nearest Mont Blanc or American Swiss/Sterns store.

For further information, visit the 46664 Bangles website.