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A different kind of welder

A young woman from the Bedford township in the Eastern Cape plans to be an extraordinary welder by unleashing the different dynamics and fun of welding through her work.
Daniel Peacock, 22, completed a welding course in April 2019 under the Kasi Gals Helping Hands Group, with funding from the merSETA.
“During my training with Kasi Gals Helping Hands, I realised that welding is a multi-faceted and interesting field. I want to fly my welding career to great heights and the merSETA and Kasi Gals Helping Hands Group have been the wind beneath my wings.”

Kasi Gals Helping Hands Group is a community-based organisation in the Eastern Cape, aimed at eradicating unemployment among the youth by empowering them with skills to enter the job market.
“With unemployment being rife in the country, our objective is to breed a generation of young people, who are self-sufficient, by providing them with skills and knowledge to launch successful careers for themselves,” says Mandisa Gongqa, Training Coordinator at Kasi Gals Helping Hand Group.
She continues: “we are excited that the merSETA is able to assist us with the realisation of this objective. Our goal going forward is to establish partnerships with both public and private sector organisations, so that we can link them up with our learners for job placements.”
Gongqa describes Peacock as highly motivated with a willingness to explore new things.
“We are proud to have been able to assist in her career endeavours,” she adds.
Upon completion of her training, Peacock tested her skills and knowledge by providing welding services to her community from her backyard.
“I started practising at home to see what I could do. One of my first jobs was to extend the height of the gate at home. My parents have been my greatest motivation and are very supportive of my work,” she says.

Seeing her work, people from her area brought materials for her to weld.
“Young people around my area also started growing an interest in welding and asked me to teach them,” says Peacock.
Asked whether she ever felt intimidated by the notion that welding is predominantly male, Peacock says: “Nothing in this world is designed for a specific gender. As women, we need to adjust our mindsets and explore every opportunity at our disposal.”
Peacock is currently employed as a welder at Eastern Cape Mobi Trail, responsible for building mobile food containers.
“When I completed my matric in 2007, I was not sure what I wanted to do, but knew that whatever career I take up had to involve designing. I believe that the welding skills I have acquired will help me achieve this dream,” explains Peacock.
“My vision is to provide jobs to the youth in my area so that we can work together in uplifting our community,” she concludes.