FEATURES 23
A deep respect for plumbing
By
Tanya Olckers
Thabang Makgoba is determined to rejuvenate the plumbing industry , and to create a proud legacy for his son .
Thabang Makgoba grew up watching both his maternal and paternal uncles work in plumbing . One of his uncles on his mom ’ s side encouraged the young Makgoba to become a professional plumber , who soon accompanied his uncle on weekends and school holidays to help out . It wasn ’ t long before Makgoba fell in love with the trade .
“ I went to college and did my Nat-Ed courses and workshop training ,” he says . “ I did my apprenticeship at the City of Tshwane Municipality – for three full years !”
Supplied by Thabang Makgoba
He offers this advice to the plumbers out there : “ There is no hope without fear , nor fear without hope ,” he says . “ Work smart .”
Makgoba is a man with a great love and hope for the plumbing industry in South Africa . He says , “ My hope for the future of the South African plumbing industry is seeing skilled labourers taking their trade tests and getting certified . Then we can minimise the noncompliant work we keep seeing on sites or households . Plumbers need to be held accountable for their jobs and this will help build trust from the clients ’ side . Let ' s get them certified and we will have a better industry .” PA
“ Helping others makes me really proud . Seeing others excel in their own way is just the best feeling ever .”
His passion for plumbing sustained him during the apprenticeship and through his trade test , after which he registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board ( PIRB ). Once in the industry , Makgoba met plumbers from around South Africa , leading them to discuss the challenges that the plumbing industry in the country faces . He joined one of the plumbing bodies .
“ I was part of their first recruits ,” says Makgoba . “ The leadership saw me taking part in the issues that were affecting us as the plumbers , and I was giving the solutions that were more important and progressive . They then approached me to be part of the board ."
“ We are faced with lots of challenges of poverty ,” Makgoba continues , “ And this leads unqualified people to think they are plumbers , and they cause lots of damage to the image of our beautiful industry .”
In keeping with his strong family connections with both parents being educators , Makgoba also stepped into being a registered NAMB assessor and moderator . “ Helping others has been a calling ,” he says . “ Helping others makes me really proud . Seeing others excel in their own way is just the best feeling ever .”
Makgoba and his wife have just had a baby boy – named Lehlogonolo – and he anticipates the joys of fatherhood that lie in the years ahead . He no doubt wants to share his passion for plumbing with his son . “ I will make sure he follows in his father ’ s footsteps ,” he says .
The strangest thing that Makgoba has witnessed as a plumber is discovering that another plumber had installed a shower mixer next to the shower rose .
April 2024 Volume 30 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za