BRICK BY BRICK!

Sibongile Ntombela was always open to exploration when it came to her career and when construction knocked, she was happy to answer.

When Sibongile Ntombela (25) left Nkandla in KwaZulu Natal to move to Jeppestown in Johannesburg, she didn’t have a solid plan of what she would be doing in the city of gold. “I came to Johannesburg to come live with my sister because I thought there would be more opportunities here for me than back home.” Landing opportunities wasn’t as easy as she had hoped but she kept herself busy. When she heard that there was a learnership focusing on construction, she was not shy to apply. “I have never seen jobs as exclusive to men. There are so many kinds of jobs out there and to exclude yourself from those opportunities because you are a woman is not smart. There isn’t anything you cannot learn so why not try out all kinds of industries?” When she was accepted into the Motheo Academy to work on the Fraser House, Sibongile immediately got into the zone of wanting to soak up as much information as possible. She enjoyed the learnership, both the theory and the practical aspects. “I quickly found that brick work is something I am really good at. Even though it is the one I enjoy the most, I have applied myself in the other areas too,” she says.” As one of the learnership students who were chosen for an actual on-site project, Sibongile felt that she had to prove that she had been a correct choice. “I understand what a big opportunity it is to be recognised for your work. I want that reputation to go with me whatever site I work on and that makes me always do my best. The difference between working on site and working at school is that more is expected of you on site – I love that challenge which is why I enjoy working so much.” One of the highlights on the Premier’s Office assignment was when Sibongile was asked to demonstrate her skills. “There was some brick work to be done and the site manager wasn’t happy with how it was being done. He asked me to come show the guys and I did a brilliant job. It’s nice to feel like you are succeeding and that your skills are being celebrated.”