One of Bloemfontein legends passed away recently and was buried on Easter Monday.
Cecil Rabinowitz (93), director of Awerbuchs, died peacefully at his home in Bayswater where he and his family have resided for 60 years.
Best known as ‘Mnr’ or ‘Oom Cecil’, he was renowned for his extraordinary customer service and his energetic multi-tasking in Awerbuch’s Bargain House.
Customers will remember him, grey haired, measuring tape around the neck, running between customers, while being paged, ‘Mnr Cecil, telefoon asseblief’.
Awerbuch’s Bargain House is one of Bloemfontein’s oldest shops. It was established in 1900, during the Anglo-Boer war, by Meyer Awerbuch, a Lithuanian immigrant. After Meyer’s death, the business was taken over by his nephew Sonny Mofsowitz, the husband of Cecil’s sister. Subsequently, in 1976, Sonny’s son, Sefton Mofsowitz, a Grey College alumnus, took over the helm.
Cecil joined the Mofsowitz family business in 1948. He worked there for over 65 years, until the business was sold in 2016. Customers came from all over the Free State – farmers shopping for everything a farmer and his wife need, businessmen looking for a tailored suit, school children coming for uniforms, and ministers in search of a swart pak.
In June 1997 Rabinowitz was brutally attacked in the store that was then still situated in the Bloemfontein CBD.
The intruder entered moments after closing time. After physically assaulting Rabinowitz and “leaving him for dead”, the intruder robbed the store, and was seen by the security guard exiting in a new suit. Rabinowitz showed remarkable resilience, recovering from his injuries, and continuing to work in the store for another two decades.
In 2016 with the sale of the business, Rabinowitz received a plaque from the staff inscribed: ‘Presented to Cecil Rabinowitz. For your unwavering support and unrelentless guidance that helped in leading our path to success. You are being honoured with much appreciation and gratitude. You have been an inspiration to us all! 1948 -2016.”
After the business was sold to the Grove’ Family, the legendary Awerbuch’s moved location to Langenhoven Park. Rabinowitz, then aged 87 years, was part-time consulting at the new store, until deteriorating health prevented him from working. He loved visiting the store and was always given a royal welcome by the staff and the new owners.
Rabinowitz was buried on Monday, 10 April at a service in South Park Cemetery. The Bloemfontein Jewish Community all came to pay their respects. Amongst the attendees were the Mofsowitz family; and a group of current Awerbuch’s employees all of whom had worked with him at the original store downtown.
Rabinowitz is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirli, their two daughters, son-in-law and four grandchildren. His presence in Bloemfontein will be sorely missed. Tributes have come from all over the Free State. One such example: “Cecil was a true gentleman. Outfitter to my grandfather, my dad and me. I will remember him with respect. “
