Shared Interest to Host 18th Annual Awards Dinner Honoring South Africa ’s Finance Minister

Shared Interest, a New York-based nonprofit social investment fund, will honor Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan, South African Minister of Finance, for advancing South Africa ’s economic development at its 18th Anniversary Awards Dinner on April 23 at Gotham Hall in New York City

Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) will receive the Corporate Award for its commitment to building healthy communities in Africa . Karen and Phillip Berry, longtime supporters of Shared Interest, will be recognized for forging partnerships to expand opportunity in South Africa.

At the black-tie awards dinner, Shared Interest will celebrate the launch the Next Generation Campaign, which aims to expand access to capital and capacity development to South Africa ’s marginalized communities and enterprises and other Southern African countries.

The evening performance will feature Somi, a soulful world music singer whose songs are riding high on South Africa ’s music charts.  This year’s major corporate sponsors are BET International, Destination Southern Africa, Deutsche Bank, The Nielsen Company, Prudential, Rabin Martin, South African Airways, South African Tourism, Trillium Asset Management LLC, Standard Bank and Walden Asset Management.

Shared Interest’s mission is to mobilize the resources for Southern Africa ‘s economically disenfranchised communities to sustain themselves and build equitable nations. Since Shared Interest began in 1994, its loan guarantees and technical support have benefited more than two million black South Africans – the majority of them women.  Shared Interest has never lost a cent of its investors’ interest or principal.

Monday, April 23, 2012 – 6:30 – 9:30PM

Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway at 36^th St. , New York City

HONORARY CHAIRS:    Former Mayor David and Mrs. Joyce Dinkins, South African Consul

General and Mrs. George Monyemangene, South African H.E. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool and Ms.

Rosieda Shabodien, South African H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Baso Sangqu

HOST COMMITTEE: Danny Glover, Alan Altschuler, Penny Andrews, Michael Armstrong, Sharon Davison, Peggy Dulany Deborah Lieberman, Sarah Leshner, Don Lowery, Vincent and Anne A. Mai, Marco Masotti, Pamela Palanque North, Diane Stevens, Susan L. Taylor and Khephra Burns

DINNER CO-CHAIRS:    Sylvia and Byron Lewis, Founder and CEO of UniWorld Group

Shared Interest, a leading New York-based social investment fund, envisions a just and vibrant South African economy that eliminates disparities and upholds the basic human rights enshrined in the constitution – a South African society that serves as a model of economic justice. The organization’s work in South Africa is conducted in conjunction with its partner, the Pretoria-based Thembani International Guarantee Fund. For more information, please visit http://www.sharedinterest.org.

For ticket information, visit http://www.sharedinterest.org or call Michael Stokes at COMPASS Events at 212-843-5750 or email sharedinterest@compass-events.com