Bertie Lubner – man of integrity and humility

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Lubner was formerly joint chairman and chief executive of Plate Glass and Shatterprufe Industries; chairman of the Lubner Group of Companies; and director of PGSI International; PG Glass, South Africa. He was also vice-chairman of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel; and vice-president of the Institute of Directors, SA.

He was a member of the Dean’s Council Harvard Kennedy School, Boston; and member of the World Economic Forum Task Force.  

Lubner was chairman and founder of Afrika Tikkun, the Smile Organisation and the Field Band Foundation and a recipient of numerous awards, including the President’s Order of Meritorious Service.

Described by the late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris as a man who had “an infectious commitment to the new South Africa”, Lubner used his significant influence within the private sector to play a meaningful role in the transformation and reconciliation of the South African nation.

He believed that if reconciliation was really to work, this affluent sector of society would “have to change its priorities radically”. Afrika Tikkun was formed to spearhead meaningful transformation. “Tikkun” is a Hebrew word meaning a setting to rights, transformation. At its heart Afrika Tikkun would empower individuals who had been disempowered to become skilled, educated, and productive – to be masters of their own fate.

The accomplishments of Afrika Tikkun from early on, were of great inspiration. Nelson Mandela described it as a “miracle”.

He said: “I never expected organisations of this nature, which have brought hope to the disadvantaged.”. Today that work continues at the helm of one of Bertie’s sons, Marc, CEO of Afrika Tikkun.

Bertie Lubner epitomised genuine care. He was a pathfinder for peace and reconciliation for this nation. With his characteristic integrity he wanted to ensure that peace meant something substantial.  

In his words, “Afrika Tikkun is the Jewish community’s’ contribution towards the upliftment of previously disadvantaged communities post-1994. We wanted to do this because we were always huge opponents of apartheid.

“The rabbi spoke out, his wife demonstrated and I did too, for a very simple reason, any policy that discriminates one person against another is an unacceptable policy.”

Starting this organisation symbolised Lubner’s dedication to being a true humanitarian, yearning to give better opportunities to disadvantaged communities. But there was a deeper reason to help out indigent communities that hits close to home.

Lubner related: “There’s a culture in every Jewish parent, that says, we’ve got to give our children the best education possible because who knows whether they may be victims of discrimination again and have to leave a country.

“So, the first important feature in any Jewish family, that the parents will sacrifice anything for, is a good education. So we said: ‘Let’s take that theme into disadvantaged communities’.”

Afrika Tikkun now operates five Centres of Excellence for child and youth development from “Cradle to Career” nationally. Lubner explained: “These centres have got to be the same as what we want for our children… it’s got to be the very best and even then, that’s not good enough.”

Lubner was adamant from the beginning that Afrika Tikkun be run by people who are driven by passion, as a business: “When you deal with peoples’ lives, you have a responsibility for them and when you’re dealing with other peoples’ money, you’ve also got a responsibility or else our reputation would be at stake.”

In true humanitarian spirit, Lubner put the interest of the community’s needs first. Up to his final days, the thoughts of his heart and his commitment remained touchingly with the beneficiaries of Afrika Tikkun.

Today we have lost a hero – one whose accomplishments in the thousands of lives changed through Afrika Tikkun, extends beyond measure.

May his family be comforted with peace and hope at this time.