Condolences pour in for 'visionary' Raymond Ackerman

Ackerman died on Thursday morning at the age of 92.

His death was confirmed by the retailer on social media on Thursday morning.

"With profound sadness, we announce that Pick n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman has passed away," the group said in a short statement.

"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 bought four Pick n Pay stores in Cape Town in 1967 with his wife, Wendy, and from there, became one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Action SA's leader Herman Mashaba, who founded the Black Like Me company during apartheid, described Ackerman as an entrepreneur who revolutionised consumer retail in the country.

"His dedication to the South African people saw him go head-to-head with the Apartheid government over its race-based policies and fought no less than 27 court battles to help decrease prices for consumers.

“Raymond represents the entrepreneurial spirit that ActionSA values and seeks to achieve, and we honour his unwavering patriotism to South Africa and its people.”

The ANC also hailed Ackerman as a leader in the business community and a philanthropist.

"Raymond Ackerman is credited with community development initiatives from which he received many accolades and awards. One of his most notable contributions is the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development responsible for the training of future managers and leaders in South Africa.    

"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."

Chief economist at Efficient Group Dawie Roodt says aspiring business people and entrepreneurs could learn a lot from Ackerman.

"This is a huge loss for South Africa. Raymond Ackerman was an amazing entrepreneur and an example of somebody who could build a business from really tiny begins to a huge business in the end. He should be included in the curriculum of the MBA studies. He was a real giant in retail marketing."

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