By Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consultant
In South Africa the month of August is celebrated as ‘Women’s Month’, this is to commemorate the historic march to the Union Buildings which took place on August the 9th, 1956. This march was led by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) and was a turning point in the struggle for freedom and the recognition of women’s roles in society.
Lorraine Mooi – the duchess
of plumbing. All images supplied by Chris Coetzee
Lorraine Mooi, owner of The Plumbing Duchess, President and Co-founder of South Africa Women in Plumbing at South African Women in Plumbing and Trades-Winner of the 2023 IDEAL Propeller Entrepreneur Award is a member of Three SABS technical Committees.
Being a Woman in Plumbing – Although Mooi is a ‘woman’ in plumbing she stated: “I hadn’t thought much about the gender aspect initially, as my entry into plumbing was through my mother’s established system.” Then in true Mooi fashion, she emphasised focusing on the task at hand regardless of gender.
Safety and External Perceptions – Mooi highlighted that feeling unsafe is rare, but she always ensures someone knows her location. A safety and security tip we can all take to heart.
Mooi emphasized listening to her gut feeling in potentially unsafe situations and noted a difference in feeling more vulnerable in Gauteng compared to the Eastern Cape. She also observed that clients often perceive differences in their service compared to male plumbers, particularly regarding cleanliness by a female plumber who always goes the extra mile to keep it neat and tidy.
Plumbing as a Profession – The focus of “women in plumbing” seems to be an external perception rather than an internal one. The focus should not be on the gender of the person in the trade, but rather the impact that person has on the industry.
External Factors and Driving Force – And what were the external driving forces that enable Mooi to meet the demands of a professional plumber?
Mooi mentioned that trades are often unfairly viewed as professions for those mentally incapable of traditional professional roles, which she finds fascinating. According to Mooi there is a societal perception of tradespeople, stating that: “They are sometimes looked down upon despite providing essential services.” Mooi highlighted the irony that people trust tradespeople with critical tasks like plumbing and electrical work yet may hold a dismissive view of their professions.
She emphasised that professionalism extends beyond just completing a job, encompassing presentation, client engagement, and building trust Importance of Professionalism and Trust – Mooi stressed that conducting oneself professionally is crucial in building and maintaining trust with clients. “Trust is fundamental to any profession, as a breach of trust can lead to the loss of clients, similar to a doctor mis-prescribing medication.” She also pointed out that clients often seek a plumber based on past positive interactions and referrals, underscoring the value of a strong professional reputation.
Continuous Professional Development and Safety – She highlighted the importance of continuous learning and “skill stacking” to stay updated within the plumbing industry and related sectors. She further said that understanding other trades and safety aspects is part of being a professional, as it demonstrates care and awareness on a job site. Mooi participates in various associations and committees to stay informed about industry changes and broader construction regulations.
Buyiswa Mooi, Lorraine Mooi’s mother.
Value of Trade Knowledge and Experience – Mooi recounted an experience where her unique trade perspective was valuable in a policy discussion dominated by academics, highlighting the often-overlooked expertise of tradespeople. She used an analogy: “A client had tried various things to sort their plumbing problem until they eventually gave up and called a professional plumber. The plumber arrived and after a few minutes, tapped here and there, the problem was solved, and the client was billed. The client on receiving the bill was furious, stating that the plumber was only on site for 10 minutes and yet the cost was R800. The plumber then changed the quote, stating, R50 for ‘10 minutes on site’, R750 for ‘knowing where to tap’.”
This analogy of a plumber charging for “knowing where to tap” illustrates the value of expertise and the knowledge behind seemingly simple tasks. Mooi advises those entering the plumbing profession to understand their reasons for joining and to take their careers seriously, exploring the diverse specialisations within the field.
Plumbing as a Rewarding Vocation – She expressed her strong belief in plumbing as an amazing and fulfilling vocation that can lead to unexpected opportunities. She advises aspiring plumbers to be clear about their career path and to recognise that they are building their own brand through their interactions and professionalism Women’s Month and Safety – It is important to focus on the person behind the gender, the real individual who has something to teach us, something to give to the world and a vision to change the world around them. Who is that person to you? If you can think of who that is, take the time to hear their experience, their life lessons and their challenges. Perhaps the information you gather will be as valuable as the direction Mooi received from her champion and role-model, her mom.
Mooi hails from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape and became a professional plumber after the amazing example of her mother who was a proud and professional plumber too.
This article is dedicated to Buyiswa Mooi, who passed on the 7th March 2023. In view of Woman’s Month and in the spirit of the words of Amy Tenney “The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved, women who live bravely, both tender and fierce, women of indomitable will.” Buyiswa Mooi you encompassed the spirit of a ‘Strong Woman’ who lifted up Lorraine to the person she is today.
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou
