Residents taught basic plumbing skills

Mitchell’s Plain residents are taking the skills learned at a four-week basic plumber’s course to help themselves, their neighbours and start up a business.

It has been a month since a group of residents were taught how to repair a leaking tap, a leaking toilet cistern and 10 easy steps to register a business at Westridge Library hall on Saturday August 28.

Former Westridge resident Igsaan Hugo, who is also the national product trainer for Cobra Watertech, gives these community workshops to spark ideas and give residents basic plumbing skills.

He said the upskilling was mainly aimed at women who are in abusive relationships and needed to be independent.

“So we activate entrepreneurship and we give them the tools to perhaps start up their own business,” he said.

Participant Shireen Pijoos, from Westridge, said the course was aimed at helping residents manage their own plumbing instead of having to pay a plumber.

“As we are steadily approaching two years of Covid-19 which resulted in many people losing their jobs through retrenchments, the need for skills development couldn’t come at the right time,” she said.

She said now residents could help themselves and neighbours without having to call a plumber.

Last week participants met to discuss business plans and perhaps form co-operatives to present to Mr Hugo.

The successful business plan will be executed with the financial support to have the business registered.

Another participant, Washiela Isaacs, from Colorado Park, said she joined the workshop to learn to detect leaks.

“If I detect a leak at home I will be able to rectify it on the taps and in the toilet cistern,” she said.

Course participants working in groups will present their business plan again at the library on Saturday October 2 between 9am and noon.