FAREWELL TO AN INDUSTRY STALWART
In July 2022, Vaughan Davis passed away in Kwa- Zulu Natal. For most of his working career Vaughan had been associated with or been a member of Sassda.
Vaughan Davis was born in Germiston on 28 April 1950. His parents were both academics and moved from Germiston to Potchefstroom before finally settling in Durban. His love for sports flourished as a scholar and he excelled in rugby, tennis, athletics and soccer and broke several records in track athletics. He finished his school career as head boy of Queensburgh High School.
His love for sports continued, seeing him become a professional soccer player for Durban Celtics. Whilst playing soccer he started at Jackson’s Metals at the tender age of 19 and entered his long career in the stainless steel industry.
After some time with Jacksons in Durban, he opted to go to Johannesburg, eventually ending up as a director of the company. In the mid-eighties his home, Durban called, and he moved back and lived there until 1989.
He then relocated to the UK for a couple of years, but in 1994 he moved back to South Africa starting at NDE to run their Durban operations as branch manager, specialising in the sugar and pulp & paper industries.
He was made director and eventually became a shareholder of NDE.
“My memory of Vaughan was how positive a person he was. He had good relationships with customers and suppliers which assisted NDE in developing our presence in the stainless steel market, particularly in KZN”
– Mike Campbell, NDE
In 2009 he left NDE to join Sino Metals along with Grant Port and John Gawn who he had previously employed in the industry. When Grindrod stopped funding Sino and it eventually failed he explored various routes within the industry.
He went to India for an interview to represent Viraj Profiles Limited in South Africa as their sales manager.
Vaughan leaves behind two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.
He was well known for his generosity of knowledge, especially during his time at Sassda. Through the years within this industry, he taught so many different people from all walks of life the game of stainless steel stocking and distributing. We have lost a legend within this industry; he will be sorely missed.
“During my tenure as Sassda’s MD, I had the opportunity to meet Vaughan and benefit from his extensive knowledge of our industry. We shall surely miss his input and wise counsel.
I extend my condolences to Vaughan’s family.”
Michael Campbell