10 BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Masungulo Baloyi
Contributor By
BluLever Education, edited by Megan O’ Connor
Masungulo Baloyi, part of the Water Warriors cohort, has built her career in plumbing through determination, resilience and a refusal to let other people ' s expectations define what she is capable of.
All images supp
lied by BluLever Education face.“ Entering a male-dominated industry felt intimidating at first. But it also became my motivation. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, and that women belong in trades just as much as men,” says Baloyi.
Early in her career, she encountered people who doubted whether women belonged on site at all.“ One of the first challenges was people looking down on me because I’ m a woman in plumbing. At one company I worked for, there was a skilled plumber who didn’ t think a lady should be in the field.”
The comments were often direct and dismissive.“ He told me I’ d be better off making timesheets in the office than dirtying my hands.”
Being underestimated was frustrating, but she chose not to let those opinions distract her from her goals.“ That made me feel underestimated and frustrated at first. But I handled it by letting my work speak for me. I showed up and did my best, and over time proving myself on site mattered more than what anyone said.”
Now trade tested and working at T and D Business Solutions, her journey reflects both the challenges and opportunities that come with being a woman in a traditionally maledominated industry.
Her path into the trades was shaped by a desire to do meaningful, hands-on work.
“ Honestly, I never wanted a desk job in an office. I wanted work where I could use my hands and see real results. Growing up, there was someone at home who fixed cars and did house installations. Watching what he achieved through his trade inspired me.”
While plumbing was not her original plan, the idea of becoming skilled and independent stayed with her.“ At first I didn’ t think about plumbing specifically, but the idea of being skilled, independent and solving real problems stuck with me.”
As she gained experience, she learned that confidence often comes from action rather than words. One particular experience stands out as a defining moment in her journey.“ While repairing a burst pipe, my boss told me to stay in the office and clean because he didn’ t think I could handle digging trenches based on my body type.”
Instead of accepting that decision, she chose to prove what she was capable of.“ Instead of arguing, I went to the site anyway. I worked alongside the team and proved I could do the job just as well.”
The reaction from her colleagues was something she still remembers today.“ In the end, they were surprised and asked where I learned to dig trenches. I just laughed and said,‘ Well, I grew up in the villages after all.’”
For Baloyi, the moment represented something much bigger than digging a trench.“ That moment showed them, and me, that capability isn’ t about gender or size. It’ s about skill and willingness to work.”
Today, one of the things she enjoys most about the trade is the opportunity to solve real problems and continue learning every day.“ What drives me is solving real problems and sleeping well knowing I helped. Water issues are never the same throughout, so I’ m constantly learning.”
Like many women entering the trades, she was aware of the barriers she might
Her approach to plumbing is rooted in curiosity and understanding.“ My first move is always‘ why is it like that?’ That question helps me get to solutions that actually last.”
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline August 2026 Volume 32 I Number 06