SHELLEY WOODE-SMITH | EDITOR

OUR TEAM

EDITOR / SALES Shelley Woode-Smith 021 683 3766 shelley @ archibuild. co. za

PUBLISHER / SALES Louise Fenner-Solomon 021 712 0570 louisef @ archibuild. co. za

ACCOUNTS Bonnie Ah Shene accounts @ archibuild. co. za

PUBLISHER / DESIGN Peter Fenner-Solomon 021 712 0570 peter @ archibuild. co. za

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Mum took over the reins of the magazine from Laurie Wale in 2000. She had worked for him previously but had no experience in publishing and editing a magazine. Her degrees were a BA majoring in English and History and a later honours degree in Library Science. Being the person she was, Mum excelled in most things she put her mind to. In fact, she was awarded a full scholarship to take her library degree to master’ s level but my parents’ finances were such at the time that she could not take it up.

So, suddenly she was at the helm of an established architectural magazine with precious little experience. This did not deter her. In the early days, while still working for Laurie, she and my architect father would set the magazine by hand, spread by spread. In 2000, on taking over the magazine, Mum entered into a partnership with Peter, her godson and a creative soul. The transition was not without its challenges but both of them rose to the occasion and Peter took over the layout and design of the magazine. Soon, my mum became the lifeblood of the magazine. Her way with clients was always somewhat eccentric, in my mind anyway, but her sincerity and complete belief in this magazine she had come to love made her a force to be reckoned with, but always tempered by her warmth, generosity of spirit and sincere interest in everyone with whom she came into contact. I have received a few calls from people in the industry who have heard of Mum’ s passing and the word that comes up most is“ extraordinary”. She truly was.

I started working for her in 2001. The nature of our business is that we are a small, tightly-run group. We do most things ourselves and have to take on tasks that are outside our comfort zones. Sales were not my forte! My mother assured me that neither were they hers, but one would never have believed that! Her manner on the phone, or in person, led one to believe that she was born to it. Having a mother as a boss could be challenging but her personality made it not only easy but wonderful. I was mentored and nurtured and encouraged to take on aspects of the business that I could never have considered being able to do.

Growing up with Diana as a mother was both difficult and remarkable. My Mum could do most things.

Have you ever played that game where you imagine different scenarios? The one that came up regularly was: if you could do any job, irrespective of ability or remuneration, what would you do? My incredible, gifted mum would always reply with: the head of the country, the head of the hospital, etc. She was born to lead. Her personality meant that people wanted to follow. Despite being a somewhat typical teenager who desperately tried to rebel against her parents, particularly the one whose gender mirrored mine, I grew to see how privileged I was. Never could a child have been so loved and so supported. It has been an honour to have such a human being as a parent, an employer, a friend. The loss is too great to relay adequately in this format, but to all who knew her and recognised her special unique abilities, I am sure you understand what I mean.

RIP, darling Mum. Words cannot describe what you will always mean to me.

4 Editorial