32 WOMEN IN PLUMBING
Women Plumbing Apprentices share their thoughts . ( part 2 )
Edited by Rory Macnamara . Sourced by SA Women in Plumbing ( SAWIP )
Continuing our series on Women in Plumbing , at the request of SAWIP , we are chatting to women apprentices . As Plumbing Africa has consistently maintained we do not wait for Women ’ s Month but recognise women monthly / all the time .
MBALLY BUTHELEZI 1 . What is the best part of being an apprentice plumber ?
• The best part of being an apprentice plumber is that I get a chance of doing things practically and to see how things that are hard to understand in theory are clarified in action and to have a great experience of working in a field .
2 . What is the worst part of being an apprentice plumber ?
• The only thing that I can say was the worst moment of being an apprentice plumber was when I started to encounter some experiences that I never thought of ( i . e . maintaining sewer systems ). I just didn ' t think of working with it directly . Well , it was part of my apprenticeship so I got used to it and now I have no problem working with it .
3 . How are you managing the worst part ?
• Handling it well , the only way to handle it is to have a motive of what I am doing , knowing where I want to be and telling myself that what I am doing is important in a way , I guess that keeps me standing .
Mbally Buthelezi
Mbally Buthelezi SAWIP
4 . What do you believe is plumbing all about ?
• I believe that plumbing is all about conveying fluid in a wide range of areas , whether it is clean or waste , but above all it is about hygiene and simplicity of life , time saving , healthy conditions for living and environmental safety .
5 . What will you contribute to plumbing when you qualify ?
• What I always wish to contribute once I qualify , is to open my own place to teach women all about plumbing to break the stigma and stereotypes we have about women in plumbing and develop more women in the plumbing industry .
6 . Who is your employer ?
• Mr Barry Chapman of PLUMBING KZN
7 . Are you a team player ?
• Yes , the most important aspect I have above all is communication , I have good listening skills and I am able to talk to others and that makes me more observant , a hard worker with dedication to what I do and keeps me focused . PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline May 2022 Volume 28 I Number 3