Personality Profile Sponsored by :
SAMKELWA XABA :
MAKING DREAMS A REALITY
By Benjamin Brits
An apprentice with an appetite for success , and a vision for others like herself .
Samkelwa Xaba completed her schooling where she was born and raised in Katlehong , Johannesburg and progressed to tackle her tertiary studies at the Vaal University of Technology . But , on applying for her first choices at the institution , these subjects were already fully booked , so , she chose something else that looked exciting to her and enrolled as a bio-technology student .
She obtained her diploma in this field , completing her studies and service training within the institution as an assistant in both the chemistry and micro-biology laboratories . After her training she joined RCL Foods as a quality controller in their laboratory and was employed there for almost four years .
Spending most of her time in the engineering department , this was when Xaba was first introduced to the HVACR industry through another female HVACR technician – she was immediately intrigued because this female technician was responsible for running the entire HVACR plant .
“ I saw then there was a gap in the HVACR sector for women and I was fortunate to become close to this female technician – she was also willing to teach me all I wanted to know about the HVACR sector . I started doing my own research and applied for courses and decided to change careers to HVACR , leaving biotechnology behind .”
Being a private student , Xaba was only able to enrol for two modules using her savings . Hoping she would land an apprenticeship opportunity , she pushed forward and was delighted at receiving an offer from a company in Johannesburg where she received on the job training for a couple of months , doing air-conditioning installations and participating with some projects at PRASA .
“ My career then led me to GEA Africa ( Thermo King ) and this was in fact the company that I always wanted to work for . I came for an interview and I was hired the same day . I knew it was meant to be because everything fell into place . It was an excellent opportunity as I could get assistance with my studies as a bonus and apprentice training within the company . To-date it has been a great experience and I have received a lot of support from the company and my fellow [ male ] team members .”
Outside of work , Xaba likes keeping herself busy and has a small sewing studio at home where she spends a lot of her time doing DIY projects with her daughter . She also loves learning , reading , and spending time with the rest of her family members .
RACA Journal
Samkelwa Xaba , bio-technologist turned HVACR enthusiast with a vision .
Xaba ’ s future plans in the short-term include finishing off her studies in 2021 followed by completing her trade test . Her long-term goals include a successful career at GEA and getting the opportunity to travel within the company ’ s branches . She further envisions starting an organisation supporting women in HVACR with the buy-in of the industry .
As a SAIRAC student member too , Xaba knows it ’ s all about getting to know what is happening within the industry as well as having access to a knowledge-base and interactions through various networking opportunities .
“ I ’ m never going to be that person who just wakes up in the morning and goes to work and then comes home again – we all need to continue learning and making our dreams a reality – this only comes from pushing yourself and through your challenges ”. RACA
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I November 2020 21