Ellerine Trust helps entrepreneurs start small, dream big

It is with great pride that Eric Ellerine Trust Proprietary Limited is sponsoring the Entrepreneur Award at the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards for the second consecutive year. This award is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Eric Ellerine, a pioneering entrepreneur who built successful enterprises and empowered others to do the same. 

Eric’s entrepreneurial journey began as a 16-year-old, using his Barmitzvah money to open a single furniture store. Eric and his brother grew what would become Ellerine Holdings into one of South Africa’s most successful retail enterprises with a national footprint and listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. 

Eric loved South Africa, and devoted himself to creating jobs, investing in people, and supporting other budding entrepreneurs. It was a commitment that continued even after his tenure at Ellerine Holdings had ended, with the establishment of Eric Ellerine Trust Proprietary Limited, an investment holding company through which Eric, together with his family, backed and continues to back entrepreneurs. 

Through this award, we honour the essence of what Eric stood for: resilience, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. We hope that it serves as inspiration for others to pursue their dreams with the same tenacity and vision that he embodied. Eric believed in building something greater than oneself, a legacy, and it is our privilege to encourage and recognise those who follow a similar path. 

We hope this award will encourage entrepreneurs who, like Eric, dare to start small, dream big, and invest in the future. Thank you to the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards for this platform to celebrate and perpetuate the spirit of entrepreneurship.