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 Nokwazi Sibisi – a passionate plumber who saw the serious need for plumbing in her community. Here is her story in her own words.
All images supplied by Nokwazi Sibisi
“My name is Nokwazi Sibisi, and I am from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. I started my plumbing training at Blulever Education, which helped prepare me for my current job at Dreycor Plumbing. I have been working at Dreycor Plumbing for three years, where I have been completing my training and gaining practical experience as a plumber.
“I chose plumbing because I saw a serious need in my community. Many townships still struggle with water shortages, poor sanitation and a lack of proper stormwater drainage systems. Living in a place where water is limited and drainage is poor makes life very difficult and affects both people and infrastructure. I believe that everyone deserves access to clean and safe water.
“I did not plan to become a plumber at first, but I was always curious about how water gets into our homes and how drainage systems work. I wanted to study Water and Waste Management at the Roodepoort campus, but during registration I was advised to do plumbing instead. I was told that plumbing is a scarce skill, especially for women, and that it offers many career opportunities. I liked this because I did not want a career with limited options.
“I also had a strong interest in Chemical Engineering, but I did not qualify for university because of my matric results. Even though this was disappointing, plumbing has allowed me to work closely with water systems and help improve communities in a practical way. Working in a male-dominated field has not always been easy. Some people still believe plumbing is a job for men, and this can create challenges for women. While we may not have the same physical strength, determination and hard work make a big difference. Completing a job on my own and seeing the final result gives me a strong sense of pride.
“To me, plumbing is more than just a job. It is about keeping systems clean, neat and working properly. Plumbing is important because everyone deserves clean and safe water.”
| Nokwazi’s advice to anyone looking at plumbing as a career
“My advice to anyone who wants to become a plumber is simple, you must love the work. Without passion, it is difficult to succeed and make a real impact.” |
