FEATURES 15
Van Aswegen took part in PIRB’ s annual Champions 4 Charity event, competing as a boxer.“ I had never done anything like that before, so it felt weird, funny and absolutely delightful all at the same time!” she says.“ Literally putting my chin out to fight for a good cause, while proudly representing the PIRB, was an emotional rollercoaster— full of laughter, maybe a few tears and so many lessons about myself. Win or lose, it was an unforgettable experience that completely pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.”
Karlien Krugel is manager of SA Leak Detection Distributors, overseeing the sales, technical and training departments.
She began her journey in cold calling, but her growing interest in the technology and training side of the business saw her rise through the ranks. Now, with over 11 years at the company, she leads with experience and passion.
Karlien Krugel
Krugel draws inspiration from seeing those around her thrive.“ I take my responsibility to the team seriously,” she says,“ And the happiness of others keeps me motivated.”
One of her most memorable moments was when a client returned after eight years, with a photo of the two of them and the equipment they had purchased nearly a decade earlier. This served as a true reminder of the long-term impact of strong customer relationships.
Jamie-Lee Bishop from SiSi Safety Wear is passionate about giving women comfortable, high performance safety gear and PPE designed specifically for their bodies.
“ I find inspiration in many areas of my life,” she says.“ My family is a constant source of motivation, as are the Jamie-Lee Bishop challenges that push me to grow and evolve. I’ m driven by the excitement of new opportunities and fresh beginnings, and I have a passion for helping others where I can. Financial success is also a motivating factor as it fuels my ambition.”
Bishop says that one of the most heartwarming experiences in her career has been receiving genuine appreciation and support from the people she works with.“ In an industry where women are still under-represented, it’ s incredibly meaningful to feel valued and recognised,” she says.
Jabulile Nkosi is a qualified plumber, business owner and a woman who is deeply involved with the plumbing community. She works predominantly with insurance companies and Joburg Water while also functioning as a compliance auditor for IOPSA. As if that was not
Jabulile Nkosi enough to keep her busy, she is passionate about elevating young female plumbers and dedicates time to mentorship.
“ I come from a plumbing background,” she says.“ My father is a retired plumber, and I like the technical side of plumbing as I’ m a bit of a tomboy and I love problem solving. I want to see more ladies coming into the artisan space.”
The current crisis of youth unemployment also motivates her to train and give the youth plumbing skills.
Her most memorable moment in the industry came when she did some work for a client in Eagle Canyon estate.“ It turned out to be a whole birthday surprise bathroom renovation for the wife, which she absolutely loved. Luckily the husband sits on the board for a major insurer, and I was appointed as a service provider for the company because of our excellent service and workmanship.”
Melanie Mokawem is the managing director of Hawk Pumps, a manufacturer of high-pressure cleaning equipment for drain and sewer maintenance, as well as specialised machines for pressure testing applications.
Her entry into the technical services sector wasn’ t planned.“ This line of work chose Melanie Mokawem me,” she says.“ I accepted a short-term marketing contract at Hawk Pumps. I was immediately struck by the company’ s capabilities and felt genuine excitement every time we engineered something new or custom-built. It didn’ t take long for me to realise I’ d found my forever home.”
Mokawem is inspired by stories of resilience and personal growth.“ I find it really uplifting to hear about people who’ ve overcome adversity,” she says.“ I come across inspiring stories in so many ways, but a recent podcast I really enjoyed was Change in One Generation, hosted by Ruda Landman and Frank Magwegwe. It features some truly powerful accounts, worth a listen if you’ re in the mood for something inspiring and reflective.”
Her journey has also had its humorous moments. She recalls a phone call that left her both amused and incredulous:
Mokawem:“ Speaking!” Caller:“ No, I mean the managing director.” Mokawem:“ Yes, that’ s me.” Caller:“ But... you’ re a woman.”
She laughed it off and assured him that the managing director was, in fact, a woman— and doing just fine without a moustache. PA
August 2025 Volume 31 I Number 06 www. plumbingafrica. co. za