By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s retail legend Raymond Ackerman has died at the age of 92, Pick n Pay confirmed on Thursday.
The retail group he founded announced his death in a statement on Thursday morning.
“With profound sadness, we announce that Pick n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman has passed away.”
“A visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian and a great South African. Our country has lost a brilliant patriot who always saw a positive future for South Africa.”
Ackerman was born on March 10, 1931, and grew up in Cape Town.
He founded Pick n Pay in 1967, envisioning a supermarket that would offer quality products at affordable prices, catering to the needs of ordinary South Africans.
Under his leadership, the company flourished, becoming one of the country’s most prominent retail giants.
Today, Pick n Pay operates more than 1,800 stores across South Africa and neighbouring countries, employing thousands of people and serving millions of customers daily.
Ackerman fought the government through 26 rounds in court about the petrol price, but lost every time.
In 1989, Ackerman and a group of businessmen met then-President FW de Klerk soon after his appointment and called for the release of Nelson Mandela.
In 2004, he established the Raymond Ackerman Academy for Entrepreneurial Development in partnership with UCT and later the University of Johannesburg, which has produced hundreds of new business owners.
In 2010, Raymond and Wendy retired from the board of Pick n Pay Stores Limited and became honorary life presidents.
A Bishops Diocesan College old boy, Ackerman was president and then the patron of the Old Diocesan Union. He received seven honorary doctorates from local and international universities.
Ackerman is survived by his wife, Wendy, children Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan, his 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.