BUSINESS AND TRAINING 23
Motivated and ready for the industry
Compiled by
Tanya Olckers
Two students from the Nedbank ED 360˚ Plumbing Programme team up to start their own business .
Thandolwenkosi Mtshali and Mackdonald Nthelebovu have been working hard to enter the plumbing world . The pair have been honing their skills in the Nedbank ED 360˚ Plumbing Programme and are looking to put what they have learnt into practice when they start their own business in 2024 .
Mackdonald Nthelebovu found motivation from others who owned their own plumbing businesses . He was inspired by the way these business owners knew how to work with their hands in order to sustain themselves , leading Nthelebovu to make it his aim to create a business that can provide an income for him and his family . “ The programme introduced me to the world of plumbing , which I didn ’ t know about before ,” he says . “ It helped me to learn to work with my hands and helped with solving problems .”
Nthelebovu intends on using his skills both in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg . He also wants to take these skills back to the town he came from to help the people there . His favourite quote that demonstrates his journey through the programme is the saying “ a plumber is the superhero of every household .” According to Nthelebovu , the saying is powerful because as he says , “ A plumber is always needed everywhere .”
Thandolwenkosi Mtshali was motivated to complete the Nedbank ED 360 ° Plumbing Programme because she is a woman , and the plumbing industry has long been thought of as male-dominated . “ Starting my own plumbing business will be a motivation to other young women so they can see that whatever a man can do , a woman can do even better ,” she says . “ I believe we are the generation that can change the world of artisans and improve our lives with our hands and minds .”
Mtshali used to believe that plumbing was just about drains , dealing with waste and sewerage . The programme has certainly opened her eyes to the myriad of possibilities within plumbing as a profession .
“ You can never be sure of what needs to be done until you arrive on site ,” she says . “ Through this programme , I have realised that a plumber is someone who is willing to learn and improve every day .
Images supplied by Nedbank ED 360˚ Plumbing Programme
Mackdonald Nthelebovu . Thandolwenkosi Mtshali .
Plumbing is the learning process that will never end . It requires someone who is willing to teach and learn at the same time .”
Mtshali realises that plumbing is a vast and competitive industry . While she is still finding her feet as a plumber , she is keen to open a company in her hometown where she can persuade other young women to take up the profession . The quote that demonstrates her journey is “ it ’ s a slow process , but quitting won ’ t speed it up .”
“ I have realised that rushing things is not a solution ,” she says . “ You need to be fully committed , persistent and patient . Learning to love what you do will make it easy even on the hardest days . Every journey has its own ups and downs and overcoming them is the best gift you can give yourself and those who believe in you .” PA
“ A plumber is the superhero of every household .”
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January 2024 Volume 29 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za