David Lanesman was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He was educated at St Vincent School for the Deaf in Johannesburg from "nursery 1" to Matric. He then went to work at his father Ralph auditors office in Pretoria for six years until he came to live in Israel in 1980. In Israel David again worked with his father, who had also come to live in Israel, for another 20 years till his retirement. Today he works as an accountant at a legal company in Herzliya.

David was active in Habonim in Pretoria. He also volunteered for over 25 years with the Israel Deaf Sports Organization starting as Secretary-General and later serving as Chairperson for 12 years. He is currently the Vice President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (www.deaflympics.org).