12 BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Women on site
By
BluLever Education, edited by Megan O’ Connor
Tebello Mahlala is part of the Adventure Seekers cohort, a third-year plumbing apprentice at WBHO. Here, she tells her plumbing story in her own words.
All images supp lied by BluLever Education
Mahlala’ s advice to young women considering a career in plumbing or electrical work
“ Don’ t let stereotypes limit your ambition. Focus on building your skills. Be open to learning. Take on tough tasks – that’ s how you grow.” Mahlala adds that asking questions and seeking mentorship are not signs of weakness, but of strength.
“ You’ re not just here for yourself. Every step you take makes it easier for the next woman who comes after you. So stand tall, do your best, and don’ t let anyone tell you what you can or can’ t do because of your gender.”
The solution worked.“ After that, something shifted. They saw what I could do, and the dynamic changed. It wasn’ t about being a woman anymore; it was about being capable.”
For Mahlala, the most rewarding part of her plumbing career so far has been seeing the tangible results of her work and knowing that something functions because of what she did.“ That sense of accomplishment is powerful.”
Mahlala begins:“ My journey into plumbing started with curiosity. I wanted to understand how things work and get practical, hands-on experience. Plumbing, to me, felt like a skill that could empower me both professionally and personally.”
Mahlala started her apprenticeship at WBHO in 2023, and over the two years she’ s spent on site, she’ s gained far more than technical skills.“ I didn’ t just learn how to do installations or read plans. I learned how to navigate a professional environment, work with different personalities, and stay grounded in a space that wasn’ t always easy to enter as a woman.”
At first, Mahlala was intimidated to enter the male-dominated field.“ There were concerns. Would I be taken seriously? Would I be able to keep up physically? These were real questions I asked myself.” But she didn’ t let doubt stop her.“ I had to prove, first to myself and then to others, that I belonged. I stayed focused on learning, showed up consistently, and took initiative wherever I could. Over time, I earned respect. And the more I grew, the more confident I became.”
There have been moments where she has had to challenge the stereotypes head-on.“ There was a project at WBHO, a large-scale plumbing installation, and I was working with a team of more experienced male colleagues. I could tell they doubted whether I could handle the heavy lifting or the complex fittings. I prepared myself technically, practiced, and made sure I knew the job inside out. When we hit a problem with pipe alignment, I suggested a more efficient way to do it and volunteered to lead that part of the job.”
But it’ s not just about pipes and fittings.
“ I’ ve also seen how my presence influences workplace culture. Sometimes, junior apprentices are too shy to ask questions. I’ ve tried to make it easier for them to speak up and learn, especially when I see younger women trying to find their footing.”
That quiet mentorship matters.“ It makes the site more inclusive, more human. And I think we all work better when we respect each other and feel safe to grow.”
Regarding progress in how women are treated in the trades, Mahlala is cautiously optimistic.“ Yes, I’ ve seen some shifts. At WBHO, for example, management made sure we were included in real tasks, not just sidelines. That builds confidence. But challenges remain. There are still assumptions that we’ re not strong enough, or that we need help with every technical detail. That kind of bias doesn’ t disappear overnight.”
She’ s clear about what will make the biggest difference:“ Continued awareness, mentorship and a culture that judges you by your work— not your gender.” PA
Mahlala at work.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2026 Volume 31 I Number 11