Dick Davidson takes a very pragmatic view of life as he nears his 100th birthday on 13 September. “I haven’t got any super excitement about it [turning 100],” said the Bordeaux resident. “I just wonder where the years have gone.”
He left school at the end of Standard 6 and after two years at the Technical Institute (East Rand Trade School) he worked his way up to becoming an engineer – finally retiring from a 47-and-a-half year career with Anglo American in 1979.
One of his proudest achievements came after his retirement when he was put forward for a project at Gold Reef City – he became responsible for all gold mining aspects. Shafts were being sunk but the winding equipment for lifting and lowering was not always available from the UK. Davidson then adapted tram technology to run on compressed air, even though it was designed to run on steam. The equipment didn’t go right to the bottom of the shaft but it was set up so visitors could see what it did.
Davidson added, “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my life. I don’t enjoy certain things like what’s just happened (losing his wife of nearly 37 years) but you know, life goes on.” Davidson doesn’t have any regrets, looking back over his life.
When he wrote a book on his life at 90 years old, he was always asked how he packed so many experiences into his life. Cape Town based Dick Davidson jnr said of his father, “He never had any distractions. He was always focused on what he wanted to achieve. Dad never lost sight of his goals.”
Davidson always valued his education, both formal and practical. He said, “My teachers at Boksburg North English Medium School were celebrities in their own right. They taught me reading, writing and arithmetic, which laid the foundation that allowed me to reach the heights I did. That is how important early schooling is. It teaches life skills – not all, most should come from your parents – but too many people don’t have proper life skills to pass to their children.”
If there was one life skill he’d encourage the youth of today to develop, he advised, “Treat others as you would have them treat you. There is a William Penn quote that says I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. That’s my advice.”
