A tribute to Shereen Davids - FASA's longest serving staff member

Eric Parker, one of the founding members of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), together Giuli Osso, FASA’s long serving PR consultant, decided to honour Shereen Davids at the prize giving of FASA’s Golf Day as she celebrated over twenty eight years in the employ of the association. An appeal to members of the association was done to collect funds which were then presented to her with a long-service certificate acknowledging her unwavering dedication to FASA and its members.

Shereen joined FASA in 1996 when it was a fledgling representative body with offices in Braamfontein. Her letter of appointment showed how things worked back in the day where her job description was as follows: “responsible for reception, telephone, fax, sales and mailing of publications, post office and bank collections and deliveries, photocopying and any other duties as may be required from time to time.”

She worked for Executive Director Jack Barber and reported to the Secretary to the EC, Jack’s wife May Barber who, according to Shereen, were both tough task masters. “I remember arriving at work five minutes late as my bus was delayed and being severely reprimanded by Mr Barber. To this day, I am never late for any appointment! May Barber took me under her wing, taught me how to deal with members of the executive, and instilled in me a strong sense of ‘service with a smile’, insisting I offer friendly assistance to all who called or visited our offices”.

As the association grew, Shereen was seconded to assist in various areas, including learning the bookkeeping side of things which she loved doing as she had always been good at maths. When Nic Louw took over as Executive Director, Shereen’s organisational skills were also put to good use as she took over the day to day running of the association and also took care of existing and new member enquiries.

When Vera Valasis joined the association in 2005 as executive director and took on more staff, Shereen’s role was broadened to include on-boarding new members, assisting with franchise manual and expo sales. As FASA expanded its reach to include seminars and workshops around the country, she took over the management of the Expo and was appointed office manager, overseeing projects and staff.

Well-loved and respected by all the members who served on the council and on the exco for almost three decades, she also was the go-to person for the many chairpersons that served FASA including:-

1997/8 Eric Parker, Franchize Directions
1999 Noel O’Connor, BJ’s
2000/1 Ian Lourens, PostNet/Cash Converters
2002/3 Mahesh Amarath, Days Inn
2004/5 Peter Moyanga, McDonald’s
2006/7 Brenda MacQueen, Franchize Directions
2008/9 Kobus Oosthuizen, FBS Consulting
2010 Thulani Cele, BP
2011 Rasheed Kathrada, Applebox Accounting
2012 Jan Davel, RealNet
2013 Derek Smith, Hot Dog Cafe
2014 Ian Jacobsberg, Routledge Modise
2015 John Baladakis, Pick n Pay
2016 Naas du Preez, Oasis Water
2017/18 Tony Da Fonseca, OBC
2019/20 Akhona Qengque, KFC
2021/2022 Pertunia Sibanyoni, InspectaCar
2023/2024 Maria D’Amico, Thomson Wilks

Shereen has played a pivotal role over twenty eight years taking on multiple roles that include overseeing everything from accounts, to office management; from on-boarding new members to organising events from AGM’s, Seminars, Expos to Golf Days. When FASA was forced to cut back on staff at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shereen took over the work load of five staff members, including that of the Executive Director for over a year ensuring that FASA remained operational and relevant.

Shereen is without doubt the glue that keeps the association together, always dedicated and ready to assist members and non-members alike with her expertise and knowledge of franchising and the role of FASA, and always smiling and ready to assist in any way she can.  We salute her commitment and dedication to everyone whose paths she crosses with her friendliness, work ethic and infectious laugh.