WOMEN & WEALTH BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE
Celebrating SA’s
Wealthiest women Wendy Applebaum
South African women continue to break through long standing barriers across sectors. In this roundup, we’re taking a look at strong women pioneers contributing to the South African economy - paving the way for future generations of aspiring businesswomen.
Wendy Ackerman
Company: Liberty Investors; De Morgenzon Wine Estate Industry: Diversified Net Worth: R2.6 billion*
Company: Pick N Pay Holdings Ltd De Morgenzon Wine Estate Industry: Retail Net Worth: R1, 9 billion*
She ranks as one of the most affluent and empowered women in Africa; Wendy Appelbaum is a celebrated South African business giant, philanthropist, and Chairperson of the DeMorgenzon Wine Estate - an agricultural business based in Stellenbosch.
Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick n Pay Stores. Along with her husband Raymond Ackerman, Wendy has been a tremendous force in building up one of South Africa’s leading FMCG retailers, which, to date, consists of over 450 stores, with the inclusion of 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets.
Previously, Wendy also served as the DeputyChairman of the Women's Investment Portfolio Limited (Wiphold Limited), which is a renowned women’s investment holding company that is listed on JSE. Overall, Wendy is popularly known for exhibiting a high level of selflessness, top-tier leadership abilities in business and economic development, and displaying keen interest in health and welfare sectors. Through The Wendy Appelbaum Foundation her company initiates, selects and drives programs addressing, in the main, the health and education interests and concerns of South African women. Wendy is also a director of Sphere Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is a black empowerment company addressing financial services in mining sectors. In 2015, she was awarded both the Forbes Woman Businesswoman of the Year, and the Forbes Africa Woman of the Year.
70 | Public Sector Leaders | August 2021
The company extends its food and retail services across South Africa, southern Africa and even Australia, and has employed an estimated 49,000 people over the years. Wendy is also a patron of the 1000 Women Trust; she was antecedent to the 1000 Women 1 Voice initiative, which was launched in 2004, resulting in the creation of the 1000 Women Trust. This Trust is geared towards making resources more accessible to provide access to skills and leadership capacity building. It also provides financial assistance to women-led organisations that provide aid to underprivileged communities. Wendy received an Inyathelo Award for her family’s philanthropic efforts in 2007.
