Chris Whelan

My mother worked as cashier at Pick and 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 recognise and appreciate the giant of a human being that he was. With the passing of Raymond Ackerman, earlier today, South Africa has lost one of its great business leaders, an inspirational entrepreneur, business visionary, generous humanitarian and retail legend. Mr Ackerman was managing director of Checkers and grew the Pick ‘n Pay group into one of the largest supermarket chains in Africa. 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. The Ackerman founded Zama Dance School in Gugulethu, has introduced hundreds of children to the world of dance and produced some of the country’s top dance performers. Raymond Ackerman was a proud South African who always believed in positive outcomes for our country. He was a driving force behind attempts to bring the Olympic Games to Cape Town. Ackerman fought constantly against the Group Areas Act, stating that it was unjust, unfair and inhumane. During the Apartheid era he provided housing loans to staff and educational grants to his staff and their children to encourage university education when, such opportunities were not open to black children. Raymond fought tirelessly for the rights of consumers, pioneering cheaper house brands and sparking a fight with government to supply cheaper petrol to consumers. 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.