“We had R300 (US$ 30) for a months rent, R300 for the electricity, and R300 for the outside sign. On our first day we earned 13 cents. In those days a loaf of bread cost 11c, so we had a loaf of bread for supper, and made sandwiches the next day."
- Margaret Hirsch is one half of a dynamic husband and wife duo that founded Hirsch's Homestores. Back in 1979, as a secretary, together with her husband Allan, then an appliance repair man, they unwittingly became entrepreneurs who went on to build an appliance, electronics and furnishing retail empire. Today, Hirsch's Homestores is the largest independently owned appliance and electronics business in Southern Africa, with seventeen branches and concept stores spread throughout South Africa.
Read more"I have absolutely no background. I come from the school of hard knocks. I learnt everything the hard way.”
- Margaret Hirsch is one half of a dynamic husband and wife duo that founded Hirsch's Homestores. Back in 1979, as a secretary, together with her husband Allan, then an appliance repair man, they unwittingly became entrepreneurs who went on to build an appliance, electronics and furnishing retail empire. Today, Hirsch's Homestores is the largest independently owned appliance and electronics business in Southern Africa, with seventeen branches and concept stores spread throughout South Africa.
Read morePhilanthropic social investment by the Ackerman family, both in terms of money and time, has benefited an enormous range of South African organizations and individuals. Philanthropy SA recognised their contribution with a special award.
Read the full article here.
Read morePublished on Dec 9, 2013
In a private moment in their home, Wendy and Raymond Ackerman reflect on their encounters with Nelson Mandela.
Source: Expresso Partners
Read more“Don’t introduce me as the chairman’s wife. I have had to work very hard. I want to be recognised as a person in my own right.”
- Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Together with husband Raymond Ackerman she helped build up one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FMCG retailers, consisting of over 450 stores including 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. Operations are in food, clothing, and general merchandise sectors as well as financial services. The company operates throughout South Africa, southern Africa and Australia and employs around 49,000 people. Today, much of Wendy's boundless energy is devoted to her family's philanthropic endeavours and her personal work for the underprivileged.
Read moreYou'll need to push yourself to get ahead....
“I don’t tolerate fools, I’m afraid, or laziness. I have never been lazy and I have always pushed myself. I don’t know where the stamina comes from”
- Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Together with husband Raymond Ackerman she helped build up one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FMCG retailers, consisting of over 450 stores including 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. Operations are in food, clothing, and general merchandise sectors as well as financial services. The company operates throughout South Africa, southern Africa and Australia and employs around 49,000 people. Today, much of Wendy's boundless energy is devoted to her family's philanthropic endeavours and her personal work for the underprivileged.
Read moreBehind the scenes with Wendy Ackerman as she participates in a photo shoot for the making of the Forbes Africa August 2013 edition cover.
Video published on July 30, 2013 Source: Forbes Africa
FORBES AFRICA August 2013: Behind the scenes with Wendy Ackerman and Rapelang Rabana. Two women, worlds apart, agree: business is not for dreamers, but for those with the guts to stick it out. Wendy Ackerman has made a fortune from supermarkets over the last half century; Rapelang Rabana is at the other end of her entrepreneurial career—in the dynamic world of technology and communications. They prove that when it comes to making your fortune there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Read more“My heart goes out to people who don’t share the kind of love that I receive from my family. I believe very strongly in giving to people who unfortunately aren’t able to receive the warmth and love that I receive. I do love helping people who live in difficult situations.”
- Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Together with husband Raymond Ackerman she helped build up one of South Africa’s pre-eminent FMCG retailers, consisting of over 450 stores including 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. Operations are in food, clothing, and general merchandise sectors as well as financial services. The company operates throughout South Africa, southern Africa and Australia and employs around 49,000 people. Today, much of Wendy's boundless energy is devoted to her family's philanthropic endeavours and her personal work for the underprivileged.
Read moreSource: The Independent UK | published December 9, 2009
Peter Bills interviews South Africa's doyen of the property business, Pam Golding, founder of Pam Golding Property Group.
Read the full article here.
Read moreThe Wits Business School Journal features Pam Golding in its article 'South Africa's 30 Wonder Women'.
WBS Journal celebrates 30 of South Africa’s most powerful and influential women. Whether in media or mining, banking or politics, these women are forces to be reckoned with, and role models to many women.
Read the full article here.
Read moreSource: Think Africa Press | by Dr. Ola Orekunrin | August 13, 2014
Fascinating though piece by Dr. Ola Orekunrin: "The term "hacking” means modifying the features of a system to achieve a new goal. In development, it can describe rapid changes made by a society to advance without going through the intermediate stages. Rather than following developed nations’ roadmap to progress, Africa can leapfrog by experimenting with emerging tools, models and ideas. Foreign investors looking at Africa often say that while the prospects are exciting, the infrastructure is lagging. I believe that existing infrastructure can be hacked – which in itself is a huge opportunity"....
Read the full article here.
Read moreDon't let state of the economy put you off starting your business....
“I started the company when South Africa was going through a recession, and people said I was crazy to go on my own. But I rarely take notice of things such as recessions! I was determined to succeed and that is half the battle already won.”
- Pam Golding is one of Africa's most successful women entrepreneurs and an icon of the real estate industry. She founded Pam Golding Properties in South Africa in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a single sales assistant. The company now has over 300 offices in Africa as well as international offices in the UK, Germany, France and Mauritius. It is one of South Africa’s largest independent property trading companies with 2010 turnover of US$1.7 billion. Pam is now retired from active management, but remains the Life President of the company she founded.
Read moreYou should always trust your instincts...
“I also believe you should trust your instincts. I did when I started Pam Golding Properties over 30 years ago.”
- Pam Golding is one of Africa's most successful women entrepreneurs and an icon of the real estate industry. She founded Pam Golding Properties in South Africa in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a single sales assistant. The company now has over 300 offices in Africa as well as international offices in the UK, Germany, France and Mauritius. It is one of South Africa’s largest independent property trading companies with 2010 turnover of US$1.7 billion. Pam is now retired from active management, but remains the Life President of the company she founded.
Read more“We have a saying in our family: 'Press on regardless'. And, we did.”
- Pam Golding is one of Africa's most successful women entrepreneurs and an icon of the real estate industry. She founded Pam Golding Properties in South Africa in 1976 with no start-up capital and just a single sales assistant. The company now has over 300 offices in Africa as well as international offices in the UK, Germany, France and Mauritius. It is one of South Africa’s largest independent property trading companies with 2010 turnover of US$1.7 billion. Pam is now retired from active management, but remains the Life President of the company she founded.
Read moreSource: CNN African Voices | 12 August 2014 | by Ethel Cofie
(CNN) -- When I was doing my degree in computer science in Ghana's Valley View University 10 years ago, there just were seven girls in the class. After four years, only four graduated and out of that number, just two of us have stayed in technical roles. Today, my little sister's computer science class has at least 30% females and a smaller drop-off rate. All across Africa, the number of women entering the tech industry is improving thanks to the several nonprofit groups teaching girls how to code and the bigger availability of funds.
Read more100+ Successful Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Tips on What Works, What Doesn’t (and Why) When You’re Launching a Business and Designing a Life You Love.
Read more"When you’re looking for support or inspiration look to the iconic figures for inspiration, but don’t forget the women just a few steps ahead of you on this journey. They have so much to offer. Also look to different people for different needs. It’s nearly impossible to learn everything from just one or two people."
- Jenn Aubert is author of the book 'Women Entrepreneur Revolution: Ready! Set! Launch!' She is a licensed acupuncturist with a thriving practice in San Francisco. She lives with her two favourite guys, her husband and son. Always in search of her next challenge, she is launching a company focused on educating, empowering, inspiring and connecting women entrepreneurs so they can thrive in business and in life.
Read more"As women in Africa we have so many industries we can get involved in, embrace them, however, we must not forget our responsibilities at home."
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreSource: AFK Insider | by Veronica Pamoukaghlian | 7 August 2014
U.S. President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative brought 500 African business leaders under the age of 35 to top U.S. universities to network and develop business and leadership skills.
Ghanaian-born Ethel Cofie was one of them. Selected from a pool of 50,000 applicants, Cofie and her colleagues got to meet Obama and many key industry players in the U.S.
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