The Ackerman family of South Africa were among those honoured in the inaugural 2007 Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards in the category of Family Philanthropy. The awards are made by Inyathelo: South African Institute for Advancement, and they recognize extraordinary individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in philanthropy in South Africa and who, through giving, have made a remarkable difference to sustainable social development.

The family, which owns one of South Africa’s leading retailers, established the Ackerman Family Educational Trust in the 1970s and the Raymond and Wendy Ackerman Pick ‘n Pay Foundation in 1997. The Foundation supports indigenous arts and crafts businesses that have the sales potential to enable communities to become self-sustaining. Funded projects include an organization run by quadriplegics to develop wheelchairs that work on rough, rural terrains, and community-based non-profit organizations that focus on awareness and prevention of AIDS.

For more information
http://www.inyathelo.co.za