New Pick n Pay family store offers quality and convenience

13 August 2009

As a young child growing up in Malawi, Kingsley Masankho Juma could not have imagined then that he, together with his future wife Sylvia Nomgqibelo and partner Elias Rampou, would one day own and run Giyani’s first Pick n Pay Franchise store which opened for business today.

Giyani Family store opens in Giyani on 13th August

As a young child growing up in Malawi, Kingsley Masankho Juma could not have imagined then that he, together with his future wife Sylvia Nomgqibelo and partner Elias Rampou, would one day own and run Giyani’s first Pick n Pay Franchise store which opened for business today.

The store brings to 43 the number of Score stores that have been converted into Family stores since October 2007. Since then, the group’s Emerging Market division, which focuses on developing and growing entrepreneurs for Pick n Pay’s Franchise division, has empowered 69 franchisees through the Pick n Pay Franchise stores.

At Giyani customers can expect to find a well-designed, world-class store, carrying ranges that effectively reflect the needs, demands, particular product trends and personality of its customers.

Kingsley and Sylvia first met through Pick n Pay in 1990, when he quit a career in banking to join the company as a trainee manager. And it was while running the first Pick n Pay township store in Daveyton, Ekhuruleni, in 1995 that Kingsley first met partner Elias Rampou.

He says “I am proud to remain a Pick n Pay brand ambassador in Giyani and Pretoria North, where I am involved with the Bara Family Store. I promise to serve the community of Giyani with pride and, together with my wife Sylvia, my partner Elias and our dedicated staff, we promise to play a significant role in assisting social responsibility projects that aim to uplift the communities of Giyani.”

Elias Rampou hails from the small village of Marulaneng in Mokopane. He first joined Pick n Pay in 1975 as a receiving cleaner, looking after the returns locker. His hard work ensured he was quickly promoted through the ranks and by 1995 when he met Kingsley he was the assistant manager of the Daveyton store.

“I have worked for Pick n’ Pay for 34 years and have been loyal to the company. My Partner Kingsley has been a Friend a colleague, and now a business Partner. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to be a partner in this Business.”

Boksburg born Sylvia Nomgqibelo Juma is a true example of what can be achieved through enthusiasm and hard work. In 1995 she joined Pick n Pay as a casual worker but by offering to help out in other departments in her free time, she soon learned the ropes and was able to further her career in the company.

“Pick n Pay founder Mr Raymond Ackerman has always said one needs to be very happy at work, as this is where one spends the most time, more even than at home. These wise words inspired me to always ensure that I play my part to make the work place more exciting and a great place to be. Kingsley, my husband and business partner, has always been a pillar of strength, encouraging me to work extra harder in order to achieve greater things in life. Today, together with my husband and our friend Elias, I have achieved my long-time ambition to become a proud Pick n Pay store owner” Sylvia concluded.

The Giyani store will carry a wide range of merchandise to suit all needs, from the frequent shoppers to bulk buyers, backed by a full convenience range in keeping with the lifestyles of Giyani residents. The store incorporates a first-class bakery, a top range of meats and poultry and a wide range of fresh produce.