Incoming Ackermans managing director Sean Cardinaal joins the group at an auspicious time as it celebrates both record results and 95 years as a household brand – and immediately got into the spirit of things by joining in with a charity project involving staff volunteering 95 minutes of their time to give back to communities around Cape Town.

“Over the many years we have built up a large, loyal customer base and enjoyed great support from the local communities within which we operate. Their loyalty has played a large part in Ackermans becoming a household name in Southern Africa, and this milestone in our history is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge their contribution to our success. We want to say thank you, and we want to do so tangibly,” says Cardinaal.

As part of the group’s birthday celebrations, staff recently spent 95 minutes of their time with children and the elderly at care centres in Parow, Durbanville and Athlone, empowered local members of the community to plant their own vegetable garden in Kalkfontein, helped disabled people in Goodwood, revamped a children’s library in Thornton, constructed animal shelters in Epping and Sacks Circle, cleaned beaches in Gordons Bay and Strand, and donated work skills at Nyanga charitable trust.

All volunteering efforts were coordinated by the Charities Aid Foundation.

Cardinaal, previously the merchandise director at Pep Stores, replaces Michael Bartens who is moving to the Pepkor corporate office. The company had a very successful past year thanks to changes made to its product ranges and improvements in the look and feel of the stores.

Cardinaal served on the Pepkor executive for several years and has a good understanding of the Ackermans strategy and plans. Looking back in history, Cardinaal said when founder Gus Ackerman opened his first store in Wynberg in 1916, his focus was on providing value for money through everyday items that adhered to stringent quality measures. “Now, 95 years later, we’re grateful that this recipe has resulted in sustained customer loyalty, with the result that we now serve many communities through our 380 stores throughout Southern Africa,” he says.

Part of the birthday celebrations was the announcement of the Ackermans CSI intent, a project called Ububela. Cardinaal comments: “Ububela gives Ackermans the opportunity to empower and uplift our staff and their families, support our local communities and act as responsible citizens towards the environment.”