WOMAN IN PLUMBING
SA Women Plumbing Apprentices share their thoughts ‐ ( Part 8 )
Edited by David Smith . Sourced by SA Women in Plumbing ( SAWIP )
Continuing our series on Women in Plumbing , at the request of SAWIP , we are chatting to apprentice plumber Aseza Mpange . As Plumbing Africa has consistently maintained , we do not wait for Women ’ s Month but recognise women monthly / all the time .
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1 . What is the best part of being an apprentice plumber ? The best thing to me is that it is building my independence . For instance , if I am at home and there is a leak of water that needs urgent attention , I don ' t wait for assistance , I can handle it alone . This is possible because on site you don ' t get to be treated as a queen but as an apprentice so even in cases where I have to climb I don ’ t call for a man ' s assistance , I can climb myself .
2 . What is the worst part of being an apprentice plumber ? The worst part is that I can ' t express myself as a lady in terms of clothing , I don ' t dress as I like but instead I have to wear PPE and I don ' t have as much time for hair styling as I used to .
3 . How are you managing the worst part ? I promise myself that the weekend will come where I will be able to be just like other ladies .
4 . What do you believe is plumbing all about ? Plumbing is all about maintaining health and preventing disease by supplying safe and clean drinking water into the community and chasing away the sewerage from the community .
5 . What will you contribute to plumbing when you qualify ? As a qualified plumber I will ensure the health of the environment by not allowing any incorrect installation under my watch . Many people have been robbed by those who do not produce good standards as required so I will ensure the householders are treated as they deserve . If they call for a service , the service shall be provided for them at a good standard .
6 . Who is your employer ? The programme I am part of is called DSPP , lead employer is IOPSA and my host employer is RPS Insurance Contractors .
7 . Are you a team player ? I am working with older people so when I feel like I am treated unfairly or I have concerns about something and I really need to address it I must find the most decent way of addressing it . So to me it helps to understand the age of people I am working with and their characters personally so I can handle each person according to their age and character . PA Aseza Mpange , apprentice plumber .
Thandi Skosana
November 2022 Volume 28 I Number 9 www . plumbingafrica . co . za