Development programme for young aspiring plus-sized professionals

POLOKWANE – I Am Heart (IAH) Plus-Size Human Rights Organisation is the only plus-size organisation in 49 sub-Saharan African countries that is certified by the United States (US) Department of State. 

The organisation has identified the need for development and launched a skills development programme.

Co-founder and president of the programme, Maphefo Mabapa, told Polokwane Observer the programme takes young aspiring plus-sized professionals on an all-expenses-paid retreat in association with pageant vote Africa, an alliance of the Miss Limpopo Plus-Size pageant, under the flagship of the IAH Plus-Size Human Rights Organisation.

“These skills development programmes are for queer persons, plus-sized women with small businesses, individuals who struggle with branding and models who struggle with exposure. In the past years IAH mentored women like Skwatakwata, a comedian and actress on Diep City, prominent business women such as Kabelo Mathe, fashion designers, chefs, doctors, teachers, certified makeup artists, singers and legal practitioners,” Maphefo said.

She added that it made sense to formalise the skills development programmes and enhance the learning process with the help of certified facilitators to lead these development sessions.

“The IAH is doing this with proud investment from the Mandela Washington Fellowship and US department of state’s generous donations,” she said and added that a participant’s word of thanks on its own is not enough for them. “We want to see how the people we work with reach their ultimate goals. Their results is a tribute to us,” she said.

To join the programme follow her on Facebook: Maphefo Gipsy Mabapa (Queen of Queens) and her page: I Am Heart.