16 PERSONALITY PROFILE
A plumber who is up for the challenge
By
Rory Macnamara
Jabulile ( Jabu ) Nkosi is a PIRB licenced plumber and an auditor for the Institute of Plumbing SA ( IOPSA ). She is a self- proclaimed tomboy who grew up in a plumbing family .
Jabu attended primary school at Mayfair Convent School . A very strict Catholic school , run by nuns of which she has many fond memories . After primary school , she attended Parktown High School for Girls , a time she speaks highly of in that they were her best years .
With a father who was a successful plumber , now retired , Jabu was inquisitive and wanted to know about all the different plumbing installations and how these all worked . Working with her father during school holidays as an admin assistant , it became second nature to her and the obvious choice of career . During this time , she spoke with clients and obtained permission to go out with the guys to see the practical side of plumbing . This gave her the confidence in dealing with questions and handling queries related to plumbing . Both her parents are extremely hard workers which provided her with the will and drive to do better .
After completing her schooling , Jabu set off on a learnership programme with on-the-job training at SG Construction and Plumbing , and at Nomanzi Plumbing School in Pretoria , where she obtained her trade test in , 2017 .
When asked what about plumbing is rewarding , she replies , “ Providing quick , efficient service to often distraught clients and turning them into happy satisfied clients . I feel like a bit of a superhero as water problems can have devastating results and I know I can solve any plumbing water problem . Leaving clients satisfied makes me happy .”
Mellita Trading , the name of her company and named after her late and beloved grandmother , operates in the West Rand , Soweto , Johannesburg North and the East Rand , with a branch in Rustenburg .
Jabu says the biggest challenge is being undermined as a female plumber . “ We constantly have to prove ourselves and work twice as hard as our male counterparts , but I enjoy and embrace every challenge as it comes . Every day is exciting in the field .” Jabu is a wife , a mother , and a businesswoman who runs her own plumbing and construction business , and she loves to challenge herself every day .
I come from a large family with many brothers and sisters , all of whom I love dearly . I am blessed with a supportive husband who is not intimidated that I work with mostly males and who is my biggest cheerleader and always pushing me to do my best .”
The best advice that Jabu can pass on to young women entering the plumbing field is not to be intimidated and to look to the positive side of plumbing – that it is an essential service and the rewards are endless because one walks away from a job with immense satisfaction of having been successful , resulting in satisfied clients .
Jabu concludes with this very important point , “ What people do not realise , even in Covid times , one will never be unemployed as water is an essential need and plumbing provides that essential service . Yes , plumbing is a profitable business – just do it right !” PA
“ The best advice that Jabu can pass on to young women entering the plumbing field is not to be intimidated and to look to the positive side of plumbing .”
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline June 2021 Volume 27 I Number 4