BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Women on site: Dineo Mudumbe
Submitted by BluLever Education, edited by Megan O’ Connor
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Earning her place: Dineo Mudumbe on growth, pressure and proving what’ s possible.
The trades industry is slowly changing, with more women stepping into spaces that have historically excluded them. But for many, that shift does not come easily. It is built through persistence, resilience and the daily work of proving that they belong.
Dineo Mudumbe, a plumbing apprentice from BluLever Education’ s Adventure Seekers cohort, is part of that shift. Currently completing her Employer Based Learning at Dreycor Plumbing, her journey reflects both the pressure and the growth that comes with entering a male-dominated field.
Image supplied by BluLever Education
Her path into plumbing began through her background in civil engineering. After being introduced to BluLever by a friend, she saw an opportunity to grow in a more hands-on and dynamic way.
“ I’ m someone who gets bored when I do the same thing over and over again. BluLever gave me the opportunity to grow,” she says.
At the start of her apprenticeship, that excitement was mixed with uncertainty. Having never seen a female plumber while growing up, stepping into the industry felt unfamiliar.“ I was excited … but I was also scared of how the industry would receive me.”
That fear quickly became real. Early in her journey, Mudumbe faced assumptions about her physical ability and her place on site. She was told she might not be strong enough and that it was only a matter of time before she quit.
For a period, that pressure changed how she approached her work.“ I felt like I had to prove myself … it was draining because I wasn’ t performing out of love for the job, but to prove a point.”
Over time, that began to shift. As she gained experience, built relationships and developed her skills, her confidence grew. With that came trust from her team and more responsibility on site, from managing safety files as a SHE representative to handling snag lists and completing tasks independently.
But some of the most defining moments in her journey came when she chose to step beyond what was expected of her. During a project installing a suspended drain at Saratoga student accommodation, her team initially did not trust that she could work at height on scaffolding. Instead, she was asked to remain on the ground and assist.
The moment stayed with her.“ I felt like I didn’ t have anything meaningful that I was contributing.”
Rather than accept that role, she made a decision to step forward. She climbed the scaffolding and began working alongside the team, drilling, securing brackets and contributing fully to the installation. The result was not just a completed task, but a shift in perception.“ They were impressed … that showed them how hard I was working.”
Beyond technical growth, Mudumbe’ s journey has been equally shaped by personal development. The industry tested her in ways she did not expect, demanding emotional discipline and resilience.“ There were situations that tested me … I had to decide whether I keep moving or step back.”
In one instance, a supervisor expressed that he did not enjoy working with women, describing them as too emotional. For Mudumbe, this
became another moment to respond through action.“ I had to prove him wrong by staying calm and not acting on my emotions.”
That ability to stay composed and focused has become one of her defining strengths. It has also contributed to changing how those around her perceive women in the trade. Together with other female apprentices, she has helped shift expectations simply by delivering consistent, high-quality work.“ We don’ t just complete tasks, we complete them with dedication.”
Mudumbe has also seen how attitudes can evolve over time. In her early days, she was often assigned cleaning duties while others handled technical work. Instead of confronting this directly, she found a way to demonstrate her capability. By turning problem-solving into a challenge between herself and a colleague, she created space to show what she could do. Over time, that working relationship changed, and so did his perception of her.
“ I could tell … his attitude towards me had changed.”
It is through these everyday interactions that the industry begins to shift – not through big statements, but through consistent proof. For Mudumbe, the message to other young women is:“ Don’ t let stereotypes hold you back. Pursue your passion regardless of the reputation the industry has.”
She believes women bring a different perspective to the trade, one that strengthens problem-solving and drives new ideas.“ We are the next big thing in helping with problem solving and new innovations.” He journey is not defined by a single breakthrough moment, but by a series of choices to keep going, even when faced with doubt. It is a story of growth and steadily earning her place in an industry that is still learning to make space.
She is not just learning a trade, she is helping redefine who belongs in it. If you ' re a business owner or industry leader inspired by Mudumbe’ s story, find out how you can support this movement at www. blulever. com / women-on-tools. PA
May 2026 Volume 32 I Number 03 www. plumbingafrica. co. za