Raymond Ackerman, founder of Pick n Pay

MY most poignant memory of Mandela is when he asked Gareth [Ackerman’s son] and me for breakfast, and Gareth came with his eight-year-old daughter, Emma. It was a fundraising meeting and I said to Gareth that Emma should not have been there.

Mandela was very courteous, laid a special place for Emma, and would not discuss any fundraising. When Emma asked him to sign her autograph book, he took her by the hand and said: “I will not sign it until you sign my visitors’ book.” This was the warmth and courtesy of this great man.

[At Ackerman’s first meeting with Mandela, before apartheid was dismantled, they discussed the question of sanctions.]

I was convinced that the sanctions campaign, while driven by ethical motives, was succeeding only in deepening poverty. The vigour of my argument was met with all the politeness and respect that characterised many of our subsequent engagements.

It was soon after this that he walked around our offices, introducing himself to our people at Pick n Pay. Many were anxious about meeting him. Many had been fed only negative news about him. With his trademark effortless charm, he was able to win friends and supporters instantly and endear himself to everyone.

As two fathers and grandfathers, we spent much time discussing family challenges and difficulties — always with humour and on occasion, even quiet resignation!