Wendy Ackerman’s name is synonymous with ethical leadership, social courage, and unwavering commitment to building opportunities for others, qualities that have made her one of Africa’s most respected women of influence.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, she has spent her life not only shaping a major African business but also lifting up communities, championing women’s rights, and redefining what leadership looks like on the continent.
In the 1970s, Wendy broke barriers by pushing for women to be recognised as senior, career‑oriented leaders within the company at a time when gender stereotypes still dominated corporate South Africa.
This commitment to equality became a hallmark of her work and an example for other organisations across the continent.
Since 1973, she has funded bursary programmes for promising students, including musicians and medical hopefuls, many of whom have gone on to global success.
She also serves as a trustee of bursary funds supporting the children of Pick n Pay employees and has been a champion of arts, culture, and environmental conservation.
Wendy’s journey in business formally began when she joined her husband, Raymond Ackerman, in building Pick n Pay, a retail enterprise that grew from four stores in Cape Town into one of Africa’s foremost supermarket chains.
While the company became a corporate heavyweight with thousands of stores and tens of thousands of jobs, Wendy’s influence was always about people, especially those overlooked or underprivileged.
She made history as one of the first women directors at Pick n Pay, joining the board in 1981 and taking responsibility for employee liaison, staff benefits, and welfare, roles in which she poured her passion for fairness and dignity for all staff.
Her advocacy helped establish Pick n Pay’s culture of “doing good is good business,” a principle that guided the company long before corporate responsibility became common.
Her courage in challenging prejudice and supporting those in need led her to co‑found and support organisations like the 1000 Women Trust, which works to combat gender‑based violence and empower women and communities.
For decades she has stood alongside survivors, rallied for resources, and helped strengthen networks that make sustained change possible.
Wendy Ackerman’s life of service has garnered international recognition.
She has received prestigious honours such as an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from Stellenbosch University for her decades of philanthropic work and contributions to education, arts, and equality, and the Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her role not just in business but in societal transformation.
Despite her age, Wendy’s spirit remains youthful and active, driven by curiosity, compassion, and a steadfast belief in creating opportunities for others.
She embodies the idea that influence isn’t about power, but about purpose; not about acclaim, but about impact.
Wendy Ackerman is more than a business leader, she is a guiding force for dignity, empowerment, and hope across Africa.
Her legacy reminds us that greatness isn’t measured by wealth or titles alone, but by the lives we touch and the barriers we help others overcome.
Image Credit: SA Jewish Report
