The Industrial Develoment Corporation (IDC) hosted an opening event at the new Heartfelt Workshop in Makapanstad on Friday 23 August 2019 to launch the new workshop which is a social enterprise, set up to employ women from the local area.
The women working at Heartfelt sold items they sew out of felt both locally and internationally and the IDC have recognized their great achievement in the community and supported them by building a new workshop with the aim to employ more women within the community.
The event on Friday celebrated hope, with Corporates, the IDC and other delegates from around South Africa attending.
Heartfelt workers were also presented with certificates of appreciation at the event.
Ms Julie Hadley, the founder of Heartfelt, said “Heartfelt has quietly been running from Martha Letsoalo’s house for 13 years and the celebration was to celebrate the hard work and to honor the difference that one heart can do to a community.
“This was a momentous occasion for Ms Martha Letsoalo, the owner and co-founder of HEARTFELT and the 18 women who work at the workshop sewing products out of felt.
Ms Martha Letsoalo, the co-founder of Heartfelt said “Heartfelt is about who I am and the lives of the women and families in my community.
“It is about the sadness that happens every day in our little place of Makapanstad. The big difference one small heart can make is happiness to others, “Ms Letsoalo said.
Ms Tshumarelo Moneng, one of the workers said Heartfelt has made her to be independent financially.
“Heartfelt gives hope to the hopeless, it is a stronghold from our hearts because we can now provide for our families and we are very grateful,” she said.
The community members of Makapanstad came out in numbers to support Heartfelt with the Ipopeng and Truppa Dance groups also performed entertainment items for the guests.
