There is great wisdom in Jewish teaching, as Cape Town’s Philip Krawitz knows well. Two guiding principles have shaped his life:
“The one who is wise is the one who learns from others.”
“To be a light unto the nations.”
These ideas have not only informed his choices but also defined the impact he has made over more than 50 years of service – both within the Jewish community and the wider city of Cape Town.
Now, after decades of committed leadership, Philip is stepping back from some of his roles, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cape Town Jewish community. His successor will be another dedicated leader, Marco van Embden.
“It is an honour and a privilege to follow in Philip’s footsteps as Chairman of the Board of Governors,” comments Marco. “My first communal engagement with Philip was in 1987 when he invited me to establish the Old Herzlians Association. Over the decades I have witnessed first-hand Philip’s relentless commitment, drive and passion for his beloved Cape Town Jewish community.”
A journey into communal life
Philip’s first steps into community work were encouraged by his father, who suggested he join the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce to meet other businesspeople. That led to him becoming the youngest Chairman in the Chamber’s history.
“When my children entered the Herzlia school system, I thought it would be a good idea to get involved with the school,” he recalls. Both he and his wife, Michele, served on the PTA – the start of a long chapter of voluntary service that would reach across countless organisations.
From the United Jewish Campaign to the South African Holocaust & Genocide Foundation, from Herzlia and the Jacob Gitlin Library to the Community Security Organisation, the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, the Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute, and the David Susman Charitable Foundation – few institutions in our community have not felt his influence. And, importantly, his role as the Founding Chairman of the Board of Governors – Cape Town Jewish Community has been truly significant.
Philip’s work has extended far beyond the Jewish community of Cape Town. He has contributed to humanitarian causes in Israel through Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel, to national Jewish causes, and to broader society via organisations such as Ikamva Labantu, the Interfaith Initiative, the Cape Performing Arts Board, and the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.
Leading in times of crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic called for urgent, decisive action. Philip remembers the moment clearly: “Some of our leaders realised we had to act to prevent a disaster – especially for Highlands House and Glendale. Residents and staff needed immediate support, and that urgency gave birth to a new leadership initiative: The Elders Group.”
This group brought together senior leaders and younger rising stars, and eventually evolved into the Board of Governors of the Cape Town Jewish community, a structure that continues to respond to emerging challenges.
“We understood that succession and leadership development are crucial to our community’s sustainability,” Philip says. “Those priorities remain at the heart of the Board’s work today.”
Board of Governors of the Cape Town Jewish community
Marco van Embden
Philip Krawitz
Ronnie Stein
Samuel Seeff
Bernard Osrin
Rael Kaimowitz
Natalie Barnett
Lance Katz
Matthew Gruzd
Paul Berman
Where business and community intersect
Philip’s professional life – as CEO and later Chairman of Cape Union Mart – often intertwined with his communal activities. “When I took over from my father, the business was still small. My grandfather, also Philip Krawitz, started it in 1933, selling surplus army coats. My father expanded it in the 1950s, and I joined in the 1970s. The major growth happened from the 1990s onwards.” Today, Cape Union Mart operates 260 stores across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Many opportunities along the way were born from connections Philip made through his volunteer work.
He recalls one memorable example: “In the early days of my communal involvement, I found myself at a meeting sitting opposite David Susman, the Chairman of Woolworths. I would never have imagined that I would interact with a business luminary of his calibre! Later, that relationship enabled me to participate in a development opportunity with Woolworths. It was a perfect example of how giving to the community can lead to unexpected personal benefits.”
Gaining through giving
Philip’s first steps into communal life were motivated partly by networking opportunities. But over the decades, he discovered that the rewards of service far outweighed the effort.
Looking back, he sees a lifetime rich in purpose, relationships, and shared achievement. “I have given time, energy, and resources,” he says, “but I have received far more in return – in friendship, knowledge, and a deeper connection to my faith and my community.” These gains carry over to the next generation – his children, all of whom share his motivation around communal service and responsibility.
As he transitions into a new chapter, Philip leaves behind a legacy of leadership marked by integrity, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the idea that one can truly gain by giving.
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