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Petra Mitchell, ARTEP Central Solutions managing director.
unemployment affects our youth, I had to
do something. Looking at the industry and
how we train learners, I want to ensure that
accredited training providers are well
informed on policy and procedures.”
Mangcwatywa believes that
transformation is happening but at a very
slow pace. “When engaging with certain
companies, I still find that I’m the only
woman, as well as the only black woman, in
the room and it makes you wonder. Open
the industry to small businesses like
ourselves to subcontract with an aim to
move and grow. Furthermore, train and
transfer skills to the unskilled.
“There are still entry barriers in the
industry which mainly accommodates big
companies. Currently, large companies that
are willing to subcontract SMMEs are
offering ridiculous amounts in exchange for
hard labour, which leads to exploitation of
labourers,” adds Mangcwatywa.
Words of wisdom
“We’ve done a few small projects in the
past, which for me as a female-led company
means a lot and shows that we are moving
22
AUGUST 2018
CLADDING // CONCRETE // INSULATION // STEEL // THATCH // TIMBER // TRANSLUCENT // WATERPROOFING // COMPONENTS
Lebo Mangcwatywa, owner of Malatsi Sheetmetal and Insulation.
in the right direction. I would really like to
see the company grow to bigger heights
and encourage more female participation
in the industry. I would also like to see large
corporates take small unknown companies
under their wing to help them grow and
guide them to become medium, if not large,
companies. Paying them fair and market
related rates is also crucial,”
says Mangcwatywa.
Highlighting her biggest achievements
so far, Mitchell says she’s proud of herself
for starting her own business, finalising the
insulation installer qualification and being
elected on the board of directors for
TIPSASA in 2017. “Being elected means that
I can focus on training and development
within the industry. I will hold this position
for three years and I’m currently the
youngest director in the history of TIPSASA.”
On a personal level, Mitchell’s goal is to
grow with the sector through training
within similar industries, as well as to
implement a platform where women can
interact with one another and share their
experiences, success stories and challenges,
enabling them to learn from each other.
still find that I’m
“ the I only
woman, as
well as the only black
woman, in the room
and it makes you
wonder.”
– Lebo Mangcwatywa
With the desire to influence other women in
the sector, Mitchell says that women should
arm themselves with the necessary
knowledge skills, be positive and create
opportunities. “If we don’t do it for
ourselves, nobody else will.”
Mangcwatywa concurs, adding that
females have the power and potential to
change the industry. “Women have always
been ready and able to climb up a ladder
and fix a roof, paint or pick up a shovel – it’s
just that we were perceived as weak and
not able to do hard labour. We are ready
and able!”