32 FEATURES
Focus , determination … and femininity
By
Tanya Olckers
Thato Keetse became interested in plumbing after working in the construction industry . Her curiosity and dedication led her to eventually own and operate her own business in Soweto .
Watching plumbers work served as an eye-opener for Thato . She soon realised how worthwhile the job of a plumber would be , not just from the perspective of bringing water and sanitation to communities , but also how it could advance her understanding and knowledge as well . However , with this understanding came the reality that plumbing was a tough industry to break through as a woman .
“ I would love to specialise ” Thato says . “ It ’ s my dream to get involved with fire sprinklers . It ’ s not an easy field to get into and getting licensed is expensive . However , I know that I will get into that sphere one day .”
Supplied by Thato Keetse
Thato Keetse – not afraid of hard work .
Thato Keetse grew up in the small village of Ga-Mashashane in Limpopo and lived there until she moved to Gauteng to study in 2007 . She began her career as a safety officer in the construction sector . She became fascinated with the work done by plumbers and their remarkable technical skills , especially when it came to designing pipe schematics for buildings , pipe installation and the installation of sewer treatment systems .
Her journey towards becoming a plumber was not an easy one . She took a civil engineering course at South West Gauteng TVET College , adding plumbing as her trade subject . She discovered that she was quite good at it , passing her plumbing modules with distinctions . While completing her N5 in 2019 , she acquired an apprenticeship through CETA .
“ It was the hardest three years of my life ” she says . “ It wasn ’ t easy juggling being a wife , a mom and doing an apprenticeship while studying part time . Then Covid hit , I tested positive twice , missed out a lot , got pregnant and had to deliver by C-section . It was challenging , but through perseverance , hard work and determination , I managed to pass my trade test and graduated and got my N diploma . Today I am proud to call myself an artisan plumber .”
Thato ’ s focus is laser-like , honed by the incubation course she was part of , presented by the Allan Gray Makers Startup Academy . The course helps artisans transition into the world of business and entrepreneurship .
“ I am very grateful to be part of this programme ,” says Thato , “ it opened my eyes to a whole new world I didn ’ t know existed . I never thought I would one day call myself an entrepreneur , but today I am proud to be the founder of Water and Fire Solutions .”
Women are still finding their way in the plumbing industry – previously viewed by many as a man ’ s profession . “ As women , we constantly have to prove ourselves to the world that we can carry the work out , and we can do it better . Everything we do we give 100 %, we are multitaskers by nature , and having that feminine touch is good because we pay attention to details ” Thato says .
As a result , she ensures that not only does she deliver a quality professional service , but she puts her heart into everything she does . Her goal is to build trusting and respectful relationships with clients . “ The femininity in me is what makes me a great plumber ,” she says . “ We create warm and caring work environments – that ’ s our nature .”
Today , Thato owns and operates her own business , living and working in Soweto , Gauteng . And she ’ s not shy about encouraging others to get into the plumbing business . “ Go for it ,” she says , “ The infrastructure sector is growing rapidly and there will always be an opportunity for plumbers . Everything requires hard work and determination as well as discipline . You must love what you do and put in the work . Don ’ t get intimidated , sharpen your skill and stand your ground . Plumbing is really a good field – it ’ s broad and evolving . The world needs more plumbers .” PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2024 Volume 29 I Number 11