22 BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Aiming high , achieving high
By
Tanya Olckers
Veronica Ntho won the 2024 IOPSA Apprentice of the Year Award . Plumbing Africa asks her why she decided to become a plumber .
Watching Ntho step onto the podium at IOPSA ’ s 2024 award ceremony was a particularly proud moment . We met when she graduated from the Nedbank 360 ° programme in July 2024 . I ’ d only met Ntho that once at her graduation , but the energy and enthusiasm she showed at that event was memorable . Seeing her again winning the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award felt like a full-circle moment .
For years , Ntho observed a container placed beneath a toilet pan in a home . It was this that made her decide to become a plumber . “ I ’ ve always been technically skilled ,” she says , “ so after high school I decided to take the opportunity to become a plumber so that I could bring change to my own home and to make a difference in someone ’ s health and life .”
Ntho started out doing mechanical engineering at TVET , going on to do pipe and fittings learnership at Klinger Mzansi . This later led to an opportunity to work in plumbing .
Knowing what could go wrong with unskilled , unlicensed plumbers spurred her on to dedicate her energy and best efforts to the plumbing industry . “ I also believed that one day I would see myself as a business owner in something that I love doing .”
And her dream has indeed come true . She is the proud owner of Joy of Plumbing , and she continues to look to the future in terms of the goals she wishes to achieve . “ I want to see regulations enforced when it comes to plumbing maintenance ,” she says . “ Our industry enforces health and safety in homes and workplaces , in schools and other areas . This is something we need to continually maintain as plumbers .”
Ntho is aware of the scope and gravity of the work she does . “ The world is in our hands ,” she says , “ If there are no plumbers , a lot can go wrong . Illness , treatment facilities with unhealthy fixtures ; schools and hospitals with no hygiene control . There is a lot at stake .”
She felt both overwhelmed and excited on winning her award last year . “ I am so appreciative that I got nominated ,” she says . “ From being an apprentice plumber to now being a director in my own company is a great achievement . I am committed to work to the highest standards that I was taught to reach .”
She enjoys learning new methods of working and seeing the excitement in her clients ’ eyes when they see a woman plumber working with men . She credits the mentorship she received from more experienced plumbers for keeping her going and taking her step-by-step through challenging moments .
She says , “ Plumbing is often seen as a reflection of essential principles in life : the importance of foundations , the flow of connections , and the necessity of maintenance . Just as plumbing systems require regular care to function properly , so do our relationships and responsibilities . It ’ s about problem-solving and adaptability , ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently , even when challenges arise .” PA
1 2
“ Our industry enforces health and safety in homes and workplaces , in schools and other areas . This is something we need to continually maintain as plumbers .”
1 . Veronica at her graduation with her new business ’ s banner .
2 . Veronica proudly displays her Apprentice of the Year Award .
© Plumbing Africa www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2025 Volume 30 I Number 11