Edited by Megan O’Connor
Throughout August, Plumbing Africa is celebrating the women making their mark on the plumbing industry. From plumbers and business owners to leaders, specialists, educators and industry professionals, this series shines a light on the women whose skills, determination and experience are helping to shape the future of plumbing. Here, we shine a spotlight on Khanyisile Jessica Rebotile Malapela – a Red Seal qualified plumber and hands-on problem solver who’s spent the last four years breaking barriers in the trade.
Khanyisile Jessica Rebotile Malapela.
Supplied by Khanyisile Malapela
Khanyisile completed her plumbing apprenticeship through BluLever Education and holds a Red Seal certification. This year marks her fourth year in the plumbing industry.
She describes herself as a hands-on person who enjoys solving problems – a trait that drew her to the trade and has kept her passion for it growing ever since. Before plumbing, Khanyisile had actually pursued firefighting and holds qualifications in it. Looking back, she’s glad her path shifted: “I’m glad it happened – plumbing’s where I’m meant to be. I get the problem-solving, hands-on work and variety, which keeps work exciting. As for firefighting, it wasn’t meant to be, and plumbing turned out to be a perfect fit – maybe fate needed a nudge.”
From fighting fires with water systems, to maintaining and installing water systems herself, she describes the transition as going from saving lives to saving toilets. “Jokes aside, it was a big shift, but I realised plumbing lets me solve problems and work hands-on, without the high-pressure emergency aspect of firefighting.”
Since joining the industry, she has found that what surprises her about plumbing the most is just how different each and every job is. “No two days are the same, especially when dealing with old buildings and hidden pipes.”
It is that very variation that keeps her intrigued and excited about the industry.
But being a woman in the industry hasn’t always been easy. “I’ve had experiences where people are shocked I’m a plumber – some even make me feel uncomfortable, like they’re waiting to see if I’ll mess up.” But she has learnt to own this. “Sometimes in the field, there are plumbers who want to prove this is a male-dominated industry, so they make you work twice as hard – but I’m down for the challenge.” This is reinforced by her motto when it comes to plumbing: Unblocking barriers, one pipe at a time.
Her four years in the industry has also instilled a firm belief in her about women in plumbing: “The industry needs more women plumbers, especially for clients who feel more comfortable with female plumbers, such as the elderly.”
| Khanyisile’s advice to women looking at plumbing as a career
To young females considering plumbing: don’t let stereotypes hold you back. We are just as capable as our male counterparts, and we bring a unique perspective the industry needs. If you’re hands-on, curious, and not afraid of hard work – this trade will make room for you. Go take it. |
Khanyisile recalls the funniest thing that happened to her on the job, which involved fixing a toilet at the airport. “The piston was faulty, and while replacing it, I discovered the water valve wasn’t functioning, which caused a flood. We had put signs up to warn passengers about the flooding, but one person didn’t see the signs and got soaked.”
Four years in, Khanyisile isn’t just breaking into the trade – she’s reshaping what people expect a plumber to look like. Her advice to the next generation is simple: show up, do the work, and let the results speak.
