South African politicians on Thursday joined millions of South Africans, and the global business community, to extend condolences on the passing of the founder of Pick n Pay Raymond Ackerman.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans mourn with the Ackerman family as they bid farewell to a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose name resounded comfortably in millions of households around the country.

“Raymond Ackerman was an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur who placed people first and stood up to the injustices and discrimination which the apartheid regime sought to outsource to the business sector,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa noted that Ackerman was one of the first retailers to fight on behalf of South African consumers against the apartheid State’s monopoly on basic goods.

He said Ackerman drastically reduced the cost of essential goods such as bread, milk and chicken, and he had also spoken against the inclusion of value-added tax (VAT) on basic food lines, on behalf of the poor.

Ackerman was one of the first executives to promote black South Africans to senior positions and to acknowledge black trade unions. Ramaphosa explained that this was during a period when such unions were banned from operating in the country.

“He also abolished race classification on the company’s human resources payroll. Since the 1970s, the Ackerman Family Trust has supported hundreds of young people to become graduates across a broad range of professions,” Ramaphosa said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde described Ackerman as an icon of not just the South African business world but the international retail landscape, too.

He said Ackerman left an indelible and profound legacy, constantly innovating and growing.

“By steadily building up Pick n Pay with his family, Mr Ackerman has over more than 50 years created a leading brand, which is known and respected worldwide. He displayed an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and talent that has endured throughout the years and will continue to do so, leading the way for budding entrepreneurs,” Winde said.

He noted that besides the wealth of knowledge Ackerman brought to the local retail environment, through his business endeavours he created tens of thousands of jobs over the years and has made an outstanding contribution to the South African economy. 

“Beyond his business prowess he also looked for opportunities to support the development of young South Africans through training and leadership development opportunities,” Winde said.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said Ackerman was a “truly great Capetonian”, who left a huge legacy in the country’s economy and in the civic life of the City of Cape Town.

COUNTRY’S HIGHEST HONOURS

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said Ackerman was a “true democrat” and a proud South African whose commitment to the country’s growth and development is well-documented in the success of the Pick n Pay franchise.  

“From pioneering cheaper products that still retained Pick n Pay’s renowned quality in the No-Name Brand, to fighting for the deregulation of the South African fuel price, to bringing the ease of banking services in-store, Raymond was a true pioneer in the industry who has left a truly indelible mark,” said Steenhuisen.

He noted that Ackerman’s legacy includes a proud commitment to giving back to the community, ensuring that access to opportunity is ever-present for the millions of entrepreneurial South Africans in search of a better life.

The African National Congress (ANC) said through his acumen, Ackerman contributed to building the South African economy, creating thousands of jobs, entrenching the Pick n Pay footprint and building it into a brand associated with strong corporate social investment.

In recognition of his involvement and contribution to the country’s prosperity, business and community development, the South African government bestowed him with one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of the Baobab, the ANC highlighted. 

UNWAVERING PATRIOTISM

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said that Ackerman’s dedication to the South African people saw him go head-to-head with the Apartheid government over its race-based policies and pointed out that Ackerman had also fought no less than 27 court battles to help decrease prices for consumers.

Mashaba said Ackerman represented the entrepreneurial spirit that ActionSA valued and sought to achieve, and that the party honoured his unwavering patriotism to South Africa and its people. 

“ActionSA will continue to work to honour his legacy to improve the lives of our people and create an economic environment which allows all entrepreneurs in the country to flourish,” he stated.

Ramaphosa extended condolences to Wendy Ackerman, children – Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan –and the extended family.