Dave was born in Durban and has lived in the greater Durban area all of his life, from Amanzimtoti to Kloof, the Bluff, Hillcrest and Berea. Dave studied at the University of Natal where he graduated with B.A. and LLB. Degrees in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

He founded Mc Naught and Company fresh out of Articles in 1984 and in-between running his legal office served as City Councillor of Durban for 8 years, as Deputy Mayor of the City 1994/5 and as Transitional Metro Councillor during the changeover of the National Government. In addition to practising as an Attorney and Conveyancer and being enrolled to appear in the High Court of South Africa, Dave also qualified and was admitted to practice as a Notary Public with his partner Mark in 2010.