Tributes pour in for ‘retail giant’ Raymond Ackerman
Condolences are streaming in for the entrepreneur and founder of Pick n Pay, Raymond Ackerman, who passed away at the age of 92.
Ackerman opened four Pick 'n Pay stores in 1967 in Cape Town and was on the retail chain store's board until 2010.
The founder of Black Like Me and leader of ActionSA, Herman Mashaba, was among the first to convey his condolences on Thursday.
"Raymond was a pioneering South African entrepreneur who revolutionised consumer retail in this country to ensure that customers are always placed centre of retail operations.
"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."
Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt says Ackerman's death is a huge loss for South Africa.
"Raymond Ackerman was an example of somebody who could build a business from the beginning to a huge business in the end. I think he should be included in the curriculum of MBA studies. He was a real giant in the retail market."
