Condolences are in order to the Ackerman family after losing retail icon and the head of one of the richest families in South Africa, Raymond Ackerman.
Born on March 10, 1937, the businessman who, according to the retail group’s statement, passed away on Wednesday evening in Cape Town, leaves behind his wife Wendy, his four children Suzanne, Jonathan, Gareth and Kathy, as well as 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Raymond and his wife Wendy founded JSE-listed retailer Pick n Pay in 1967 and have grown the business over the past six decades.
Sharing the news of his death on their social media, the Pick n Pay group shared:
“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. Raymond Ackerman (10 March 1931 – 06 September 2023).”
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Below are a few facts about the late businessman as shared by The South African publication:
- The late Raymond attended Bishops in Cape Town and the University of Cape Town (UCT) where he studied a BCom degree.
- Following the initial purchase of those four stores from Jack Goldin, in the subsequent years the group grew to more than 2 000 stores across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Nigeria, Eswatini and Lesotho.
- Raymond’s father, Gus, founded Ackermans after World War 1.
- Raymond launched multiple battles against the government regarding petrol price cutting but lost.
- In 2010, Raymond and Wendy retired from the board of Pick n Pay Stores Limited and became honorary life presidents.
- Raymond was president and then the patron of the Old Diocesan Union. He received seven honorary doctorates from local and international universities.
