Zalman Davidovitz was born in Skapiskis (Skopishok in Yiddish) Lithuania. The shtetl was near to Kupishok, Ponidel and Rakishok. Zalman arrived in South Africa in 1924.  Zalman moved to Vryburg in 1930/1, following a few years working on the alluvial diggings, first, and unsuccessfully, as a prospector and then, successfully, as a general dealer. According to his wedding certificate from 1931, he was in Lichtenburg before coming to Vryburg. Zalman and his business partner, Ephraim Hechter, created Headermans and aquired S. Solomon and Compnay. They later parted ways. 

 

Whilst on vacation in Parys he met his wife to be Pessie (or Pessa) Alufovitz, the eldest child of Moses Elias Alufowitz from Kupiskis in Lithuania. Moses Elias's first wife, Mary (nee Kartun) passed away in 1920 and Pessa raised her six siblings. Pessa's brother Solly joined them in Vryburg after he completed his schooling. After the Second Word War, Solly moved to Kimberley, where he had a clothing store. Solly was a POW in an Italian camp. 

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David Rauff, who was at CBC realls the following about Solly: 

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Solly supplied my Barmi Suit - took one look at me & pulled out the right suit first time! He had impeccable taste & always dressed well.

 

Zalman and Pessa had two children, Joe and Miriam. They lived in Vryburg twice, first leaving for Johannesburg in 1949 and then returning in 1954 to resume the running of Headermans. In 1960 Zalman and Pessa again left for Johannesburg. They had two children, Miriam Frieda (born in 1934) and Joe (born in 1931). Miriam and her husband Mike Shapiro also lived in Vryburg.