Timber iQ October - November 2017 // Issue: 34 | Page 56

REGULARS - PERSONALITY PROFILE
Zaida Davids:
all in a day's work
Anyone who has ever attended the world-class Wood Conference
event, would know the name Zaida Davids – the hardworking event
organiser who dedicates her time to all things HWZ in South Africa.
By Ilana Koegelenberg
Z
GETTING STARTED
So, why did Davids get started into the industry? “It was
purely by luck that I was recommend for this job as a
secretary which has now become much more than just a
secretarial position,” she says. “But I am enjoying every
moment of it.”
She’s particularly excited to
see the company grow
within the timber industry.
STAYING MOTIVATED
aida Davids’s job is currently threefold as she holds
down the position of branch manager for HWZISA
International, as well as property manager for HWZI
Properties. She is also the event organiser for the popular
annual Wood Conference. “I refer myself to being a Jill of
all trades,” she jokes.
Her responsibilities are quite varied and include the
day-to-day running of the company as well as things like
meeting with clients at the show house, liaising with
clearing agent, and even accounting duties. Then there’s
the overseeing the daily upkeep and maintenance of the
property in Camps Bay and organising the annual Wood
Conference, to name a few. The rest she tackles on the fly
as they pop up.
Zaida Davids, organiser of the
Wood Conference (among many
other things).
“My past negative
experiences make me value
each day and have changed
my philosophy in life to
consistently be an honest,
loyal person with integrity
and morals – be it
professionally or
personally,” says Davids.
“As a single mother, this
keeps my motivation to
succeed in everything I do.”
FOR THE LOVE OF THE JOB
Davids loves what she does because she says it has opened
her up to various new experiences and challenges. “Every
task I do for the company is so rewarding and fulfilling. It
has taught me so much. I never thought I would achieve
this much as a person. And best of all, the team
is amazing!”
There have been many career highlights for Davids, but
one of the most rewarding is seeing the annual Wood
Conference become such a successful, five-star event
over the past couple of years. As the event organiser,
she has worked very hard to take this conference to
greater heights.
According to Davids, she also remains attracted to the
industry because of its heavy focus on being green
and sustainable.
FUTURE PLANS
“I am excited about the future as there are many things
that I would like to achieve,” says Davids.
54 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2017 //
FSC IN NUMBERS
AS OF 12 SEPTEMBER 2017
199,591,997
HECTARES CERTIFIED
33,045
COC CERTIFICATES
1,507
FM/COC CERTIFICATES