ASSOCIATIONS
Perseverance , mentors and faith
17
ByRory Macnamara
Ramogoman Obed Kekae , or just known as Obed , has successfully qualified as a plumber under the IOPSA training programme .
Obed , born two days after Christmas in 1975 , matriculated from Mathulamisha High School in Mabula Dihlare in the Limpopo Province in 1995 . Working first as a Financial Advisor for a Financial Services company , his interest in plumbing started when he saw the conditions that people in Diepsloot had to live under . Water and Toilet facilities were in a terrible state with little attention being paid by the municipalities and government .
Obed ’ s interest in plumbing developed seriously in 2013 when he joined the Water , Amenities , Sanitation Service Upgrading programme ( WASSUP ) – a private body set up to assist the development of better water conditions .
“ Shortly after joining , an architect from Australia , Paul Pholerus , representing Health Habitat , arrived and pushed us as the Cooperative to love the plumbing industry ,” says Obed .
O . Kekae
Ramogoman Obed Kekae .
When asked about his biggest achievement , he replies , “ Qualifying as a plumber – which was not easy , working long hours and studying .” But another great achievement was when he represented South Africa in New Mexico during the Community Plumbing Challenge hosted by IAPMO and IWSH .
Working in Diepsloot is very satisfying as one is making a contribution in improving the living conditions of people . Asked who was an influence in his career up to now , a most impressive list of organisations and people came up . IOPSA ( Gary and Brendan ), IAPMO ( Sean and Grant ), STICKY SITUATIONS ( Jennifer ) Ryan Marsh , Gary Chandler and of course , his beautiful wife , Mokgadi Kekae , and his family .
What advice does Obed have for young plumbers ? “ Take this industry very seriously , sometimes it can be fun , but it can also be tough .
With Obed one senses a great faith in his Maker and excellent influencer as well . PA
“ Get your qualification and do your trade test so that you will be counted as the best in this trade .”
January 2021 Volume 26 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za