By Bonny Feldman
It’s human nature to want to touch lives — ideally, to have a positive impact on the lives of others.
And many great people have done so. Usually, it goes along with enjoying the accolades that come one’s way. After all, feeling proud and recognised by others is a human characteristic.
But then there are those who do wonderful work — quietly, without seeking the acknowledgement of other people for their deeds. Bennie Rabinowitz was a proud Capetonian who did a huge amount of good both within and beyond the Jewish community — but never wanted to be in the limelight for what he achieved. As the Cape Town Press Club said, “Bennie was a truly great South African, mostly by stealth.”
This amazing human being — a business figure and a fighter for social justice — passed away at the age of 89 in early May, leaving behind an incredible legacy of giving and of caring. Many organisations within the Jewish community were the beneficiaries of his largesse, including the Cape Jewish Chronicle. And numerous other organisations were similarly touched by the generosity shown by him and his late wife, Shirley. Moving tributes have appeared in the press that reflect the expanse of his giving: from the sponsorship of an annual Shabbat dinner for members of the Cape Jewish Seniors Association at the Marais Road Shul, to the Cape Philharmonic, to the Cape Town Press Club, to the University of Cape Town — the list goes on and on.
Bennie was also clearly aware of his Lithuanian Jewish heritage, becoming involved in a project to erect a memorial in Biržai, Lithuania, to provide a record of the murder of the town’s Jews in 1941.
In addition to the many organisations he helped to fund, Bennie showed a commitment to upholding liberal values and to furthering the cause of justice for all. During the worst days of apartheid he provided assistance to civic organisations that opposed the regime of the time. His involvement with the Mail & Guardian newspaper reflected his belief in the need to uphold a free press and to oppose injustice in society through the provision of quality journalism. Similarly, his commitment to the rule of law is clear from his support for the University of Cape Town’s law faculty. Bennie also played a significant role in supporting the Progressive Federal Party (PFP), in particular its Sea Point branch.
And in more recent times, he was a driving force in the campaigns to stop the commercial development of Oudekraal and the Sea Point Pavilion site. He stood for the right of the public to enjoy accessible public open spaces.
Another element of Bennie’s approach to life is that he clearly demonstrated his commitment to the acknowledgement of the rights of all people, no matter the community they came from. In line with this, he became involved in the fight to preserve historic Muslim kramats on the mountainside near the Twelve Apostles. He also assisted with the financing of the first non-racial cricket club in Cape Town.
Bennie Rabinowitz touched almost every community in Cape Town and beyond. His contribution to our society was immense. Echoing the words of Judge Dennis Davis, “He was utterly unique, and he filled a great obligation in communities with his generous spirit.”
• Published in the June 2023 issue – Click here to start reading.
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