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A woman in plumbing is more
By
Tanya Olckers, Writer
Celebrating remarkable women.
Women ' s Month is celebrated because we commemorate Women ' s Day on 9 August. Essentially, it is a day that remembers the women ' s march in 1956 that protested against pass laws. Since then, we have commemorated those brave women and remembered them each year.
Now, Women ' s Day has evolved into Women ' s Month, where we celebrate all kinds of women in South Africa for several reasons. This month, we are celebrating women in plumbing. The women that we feature today, in our
women ' s month article are celebrated, honoured and admired for their bravery in carving out their own niche in a predominantly male industry.
For many, this has been no mean feat, as they have struggled not just attitudes regarding their gender but have had to struggle with societal issues as well as personal circumstances that may have stopped them in their tracks before now. Women stand tall and strong and confident in an industry that 30 years ago, maybe more, maybe less, would have scoffed at the idea that a woman can do a job associated with a man’ s occupation.
It ' s been an interesting journey in putting this magazine together for women ' s month. For myself, on a personal level, it ' s easy to take for granted the privileges and rights that we have today as women. We have come a long way and made inroads in careers that were traditionally reserved for men such as medicine or law.
Today, we have women in those industries, in those sectors. We have women who are making scientific discoveries, women who are caring for children, raising them and bringing them joy. It doesn ' t matter what industry you work in, or whether you work in an office on the road, or if you ' re a stay-at-home mom. Being a woman is something that needs to be celebrated and respected.
This comes especially at a time when we have seen a surge in gender-based violence and disrespect for women, particularly in our own country. It is up to each one of us as individuals to honour, respect and treat women with dignity
and kindness, because most certainly we are not going to find that in legislation anytime soon.
I ' m especially grateful for the women in plumbing, those that we feature here in this magazine, and those who we haven ' t because they ' re setting an example for younger women and indeed, younger women to consider plumbing as a viable career, one that brings not just financial freedom but fulfilment and, hopefully, joy.
All of you ladies who work in plumbing, whether we have met or not, whether we have featured you here or not, you inspire me each day. You keep getting up, doing the work and moving forward.
I do wish that I had just one tiny speck of the courage that it has taken all of you to begin changing minds and the industry of plumbing. Happy Women ' s month. PA
Tanya
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August 2025 Volume 31 I Number 06 www. plumbingafrica. co. za