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