Timber iQ August- September 2018 // Issue: 39 | Page 3

WOOD FOR THOUGHT Down to business A ccording to my mother, when I was knee high I confessed to a paediatrician that I wanted to be a rugby player when I was older – true story. Instead, I chose to become a wordsmith – a journalist with big dreams. After completing my schooling career, I set off to study a BA in Journalism for three years at the University of Johannesburg and completed my fourth honours year thereafter. Ever since, my love and appreciation for journalism has ceased to fade and I find myself constantly pushing my goals to all kinds of limits in this vast (yet tough) media industry of ours. I thrive on expressing myself creatively in all aspects and on all platforms, from print to online and beyond. In my career so far, I have written on a plethora of genres ranging from lifestyle and entertainment to business and tourism; greening and sustainability; property and construction; trade and development; as well as crime, politics and community journalism. YOUR SECTOR SOAPBOX Have anything interesting to share with fellow timber industry peers? Feel the need to rant or provide a raving review? If the answer is yes, please send your letters and news to me at: [email protected]. Over a decade later, equipped with B2B industry-specific experience, I find myself completely enthralled and in love with the built environment. The construction sector – both local and global – is a melting pot of ideas, developments, groundbreaking initiatives and raw passion – a rare quality these days. I particularly enjoy writing research intense articles as well as industry investigative pieces that boast a ripple effect on the public and private sectors as well as society as a whole – keeping abreast of the latest trends and challenges is of utmost importance in the built environment. Having said this, I endeavour to bring the magic every issue for your reading pleasure. In light of August being women’s month, we celebrate the fierce females who are climbing the corporate ladder in the industry. On that note, I invite you to go ahead and tuck into this edition. I look forward to joining you on this new and invigorating journey! Candace Sofianos King senior writer