By Megan O’Connor
Throughout August, Plumbing Africa celebrated women making their mark on the plumbing industry – from plumbers and business owners to leaders, specialists, educators, students and industry professionals – through its Women in Plumbing online series.
What began as an idea to highlight the women working across the industry became something much bigger. Over the course
of the month, we heard from plumbers, business owners, leaders, specialists, educators, students and industry professionals – women at different stages of their careers, with different experiences and different reasons for choosing plumbing.
Their stories were different, but they shared something important: a determination to build a place for themselves in an industry that has not always been seen as a place for women.
Some are already qualified and running businesses, some are building their careers and gaining experience, and others are still students finding their place in the industry. There were stories of challenges, opportunities, perseverance, ambition and, importantly, a willingness to create opportunities for the women coming after them.
Thank you to every woman who took the time to share her story.
We may be closing the Women in Plumbing series for now, but the stories remain online – and we hope they continue to inspire conversations long after August has ended.
Meet the women who shared their stories
In case you missed any of the series, here are all 27 women and industry professionals who took part:
Noluthando “Thando” Happiness Phukuntsi – Artisan Assistant at Rand Water.
- Veronica Ntho – qualified plumber working at Joy of Plumbing.
- Ashlar Matlonya – qualified plumber currently working on opening up her own plumbing business with a focus on hiring more female plumbers.
- Modiegi Monyai – a qualified plumber working at Richu Trading Enterprise.
- Khanyisile Jessica Rebotile Malapela – a qualified plumber currently starting her own plumbing business.
- Sindiswa Schoeman – qualified plumber.
- Nokwazi Sibisi – plumber currently working at Dreycor Plumbing.
- Shaalin Ngwenyama – qualified plumber and supervisor at CAE Neeb Plumbers.
- Kekana Mantutununu – qualified plumber working at Skylite Trading 62 CC.
- Baleseng Patricia Letube – qualified plumber and director at Hydro-Artisan.
- Thabelo Raphala – CA(SA), MBA, Certified Director with the Institute of Directors South Africa, and founder of Eliora Research and Training Institute.
- Boitshoko Magwaxazi – final-year plumbing student, currently doing her practical work at Tlhabane Clinic.
- Refilwe Modise – final-year student, working at The Plumbing Lady.
- Kuvanya Chetty – Director at Afriplumb, recipient of IOPSA’S Lady of the Year Award for 2025, and IOPSA KZN vice chairperson.
- Bianca Quinn – Operations Director and Board Member for the Inclusive Plumbers Association, and National Technical Representative and Consultant for Xtend Elements.
- Shillyka Rassool – founder of SR SHEQ Consulting.
- Kheto Silaule – qualified plumber at Burgess Plumbing.
- Tebello Mahlala – student currently working as a a trainee in maintenance at Southern Sun OR Tambo International Airport.
- Gloria Mphela – plumber and co-owner of a plumbing company.
- Thando Mtshali – qualified, licenced plumber working at Real Deal Plumbing
- Ramolelle Madineo – first-year student at Motheo TVET College.
- Sethibe Mosa – third-year student at Motheo TVET College.
- Segoje Tshepiso – third-year student at Motheo TVET College.
- Segotho Sebabatso – first-year student at Motheo TVET College.
- Lizwe Ndlovu – journalist for Plumbing Africa and Plumbing’s Travelling Exhibitions.
- Mari Macnamara – salesperson for Plumbing Africa and Plumbing’s Travelling Exhibitions.
- Megan O’Connor – writer of Plumbing Africa and Plumbing’s Travelling Exhibitions.
