Born in the quiet Northern Cape town of Upington in May 1963, Lidia Schmidt (née Marais) carries the legacy of strength, faith, and creativity passed down from her parents, Gerrit and Kotie Marais. As the eldest daughter, Lidia was raised with a sense of responsibility, resilience, and grace—qualities that have become the cornerstones of her life’s work.

Her name, Lidia, was lovingly chosen by her mother from the pages of the Bible, specifically from the Book of Acts. In Scripture, Lidia is remembered as a dealer in purple cloth—a woman of strength, faith, and commerce, whose home became a meeting place for early Christians. Purple, the colour of royalty and spiritual depth, becomes a fitting symbol for Lidia’s journey—a blend of entrepreneurial vigour and spiritual devotion.

A creator at heart, Lidia has always been driven by vision and ingenuity. From her earliest days, she embraced the hustle of entrepreneurship, carving paths where none existed, and championing the beauty of individuality. Her latest venture, Elhanan, is a culmination of decades of lived wisdom, creative energy, and divine inspiration.

The name Elhanan, drawn from the Hebrew אלחנן, means “God has been gracious”. It is a fitting name for a company birthed in faith, gratitude, and purpose. Elhanan is not merely an online shop—it is a sacred space for artisans and dreamers. Every item in the collection is unique, handcrafted with love and reverence. Behind each product lies a story, a soul, and a purpose.

Elhanan celebrates the purity of creative origin. Here, local creators, ‘’mom-preneurs’’, and gifted individuals are given a platform to share their art with the world. Each piece is more than an object—it is a testimony of personal passion, divine inspiration, and the human desire to create beauty out of life’s raw material. These are not mass-produced goods; they are soulful expressions, lovingly shaped by hands that pray, imagine, and believe.

At its heart, Elhanan is a spiritual offering. Everything offered through this platform is crafted with the motivation of honouring the Lord and radiating the light of spiritual enlightenment. The intention behind each work is clear: to uplift, to inspire, and to reflect the grace we have been freely given.

Through Elhanan, Lidia invites you into a space where faith meets artistry, where the sacred and the creative intertwine, and where every purchase supports a community of makers walking boldly in their divine calling.