FEATURES 13
Celebrating women in the industry
By
Tanya Olckers
There are many women who have made their mark on the plumbing industry. We talk to several of them.
Katja Lommetz, programme manager of Vocational Education and Training Partnership between Kreishandwerkerschaft Steinfurt- Warendorf and Motheo TVET College. Lommetz supports young people— especially women— on their path to skilled trades like plumbing. At Thaba Nchu
Katja Lommetz
Campus, 50 % of plumbing students are female. These women are determined to qualify, start businesses and empower others.
Lommetz is inspired by the energy and ambition of young people.“ Supporting them is my way of giving back for the opportunities I received. When I see someone driven, curious and ready to build something for themselves and their community— I know I’ m in the right place,” she says.
“ Witnessing their growth and receiving messages and photos from their work placements, seeing their pride and confidence continues to motivate me daily. One message I’ ll never forget came from a female student I placed with Annica de Villiers from Aquaqueen in Bloemfontein:‘ My experience so far has been educational. Seeing actual pipe installation is amazing. In conclusion, I love what I do— plumbing needs understanding and patience.’ Her words capture exactly why this work matters.”
Veronica Ntho, business owner and winner of the IOPSA Apprentice of the Year award is the owner at Joy of Plumbing in Gauteng. She says,“ Seeing the necessity of plumbing in our everyday lives made me realise that a plumber is needed everywhere. Plumbing gone wrong
Veronica Ntho anywhere affects a lot of areas. The water, which is life, that we drink will always have a connection with a plumber. It might be industrial or domestic according to the pipelines that vary.”
All photos supplied by interviewees
Charlene Joubert is the sales and marketing director for Dutton Plastics. She believes that sales isn’ t a profession one chooses for oneself: it chooses you.
“ I started my career in a drawing office and factory. At the time my plan was to make a difference from within the business,” she says.“ I have been blessed to work for leaders that believe in my
Charlene Joubert
abilities and allow me to now make decisions that benefit both customers and our business as a whole.” Joubert draws inspiration from a number of things including her family, her team her staff and things like nature, literature, music, time and education.“ Maybe it is easier to say that I am a‘ cup-halffull’ kind of person. I see inspiration in my surroundings every day,” she says.
She finds it entertaining that she has to explain to the maintenance team that she is indeed the one that will be replacing the toilet components when she shows up on site.“ The penny always seems to drop when I put on my overall jacket.”
Ute Fullerton, managing director of Calafrica, works closely with her management team overseeing finances and sales performance along with directing company strategy. Fullertton took over the family business after her husband Avron passed away.“ It was a steep learning curve, but I am proud to say that we are showing growth and going in the right direction,” she says.
She is inspired by travel, which she cites as her passion.“ The most delightful thing that has happened to me is that I have found pleasure in exercise. I love doing gym regularly and find the endorphin kick quite addictive,” she says.
Ute Fullerton
Ntho is still growing on her journey as licensed plumber and entrepreneur. She has her own staff that help her out, creating jobs for those in her community. She is also keen to learn as much as she can about the field of plumbing.
Kuvanya Chetty is a woman who wears several hats in what she refers to as a diverse role.“ I am a licensed
August 2025 Volume 31 I Number 06 www. plumbingafrica. co. za