By: Natasha Archary
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has paid tribute to Pick n Pay founder, Raymond Ackerman who passed away on Wednesday, 06 September.
Maimane took to his social media to post a touching tribute to the 92-year old whose company enabled the politician’s mother to provide for her family.
The BOSA leader shared that his mother was a cashier at Pick n Pay, and was able to support her family because of the employment opportunity that Ackerman gave her.
Maimane said Ackerman was a just individual who constantly fought the Group Areas Act during apartheid, and even provided housing loans to his staff.
“My mother worked as a cashier at Pick n Pay and she was able to provide for her family because of the employment that his company created.
In my meetings with Mr Ackerman, I came to recognize and appreciate the giant of a human being that he was.
With the passing of Raymond Ackerman, South Africa has lost one of its great business leaders, an inspirational entrepreneur, business visionary, generous humanitarian and retail legend.”
Mmusi Maimane pays tribute to Pick n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman
Maimane shared some of the endeavors that Raymond Ackerman headed in Cape Town, where he opened the first 4 Pick n Pay stores in 1967.
“Mr Ackerman created tens of thousands of jobs for South Africans and through the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation, funded a plethora of income-generating community-based projects, uplifting hundreds of communities throughout the country and teaching entrepreneurship.
In addition, the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development in Cape Town and Johannesburg teaches entrepreneurial skills for the growth of the South African economy.
The Ackerman Family Trust has produced more than 600 university graduates, including 50 educators, 80 doctors, 70 accountants, 25 lawyers, 15 engineers, 12 veterinarians, and 10 dentists.
Mr Ackerman also founded the Zama Dance School in Gugulethu, which has introduced hundreds of children to the world of dance and produced some of the country’s top dance performers.
Ackerman was a proud South African who always believed in positive outcomes for our country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ackerman family, we wish them comfort during this difficult time, and as is the Jewish tradition, wish them all, long lives.”
The businessman who came from a retailing family, is survived by his wife, Wendy, children, Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Ackerman’s father founded the Ackermans clothing store after World War 1, and in 1967 the retail mogul founded Pick n Pay after buying 4 stores in Cape Town.
The memorial service for Raymond Ackerman will take place on Monday, 11 September at 11h00.
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