Donna Katzin, founder of Shared Interest, receives South Africa’s prestigious Order of the Companions of OR Tambo for her groundbreaking work in facilitating ethical investments and fostering inclusive economic growth for Black-owned businesses in Southern Africa.
South Africa (29 April 2024) – Donna Katzin, the visionary founder of Shared Interest, an NGO dedicated to expanding access to loans for Black-owned businesses in Southern Africa, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Order of the Companions of OR Tambo by the South African government.
The National Orders are the highest awards that South Africa, through the President, bestows on citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and who have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.
Katzin’s name is among other recipients of the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo Award, which recognises eminent foreign nationals and other foreign dignitaries for friendship, solidarity, and support shown to South Africa. She is being recognised for her innovative thinking in assisting post-apartheid South African businesses get ethical investments by promoting networking between South African businesses and American investors.
“It is deeply humbling to receive the 2024 Order of the Companions of OR Tambo from the South African government,” acknowledged Katzin. In reality, it belongs to the millions of ordinary justice-loving people around the world who helped do extraordinary things.”
She added, “This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective effort toward building a more just and inclusive society. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue our shared mission of promoting economic empowerment and sustainable development in South Africa and across the region.”
For more than three decades, Katzin has been at the forefront of promoting inclusive economic growth and development in post-apartheid South Africa. Through Shared Interest, she has championed the financial inclusion of Black-owned small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. With a specific focus on removing the barriers they face to accessing loans, such as lack of assets required by banks as collateral and lack of information and skills among small businesses. Her pioneering work continues to make an impact on the nation.
Reflecting on the journey of Shared Interest, Katzin stated, “30 years ago, apartheid ended, but the arduous task of integrating Black and female-owned small businesses into South Africa’s new economy began. Shared Interest formed a guarantee fund to incentivise financial institutions to lend to eligible small businesses despite the absence of assets required as loan collateral.”
To date, Shared Interest has issued partial credit guarantees worth an impressive US$34 million, unlocking an astounding US$131 million in local capital for small businesses in South Africa and neighbouring countries such as Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. The organisation has recently expanded its efforts to include Lesotho, furthering its mission of promoting inclusive economic growth across the region.
This prestigious honour comes at a momentous time when Shared Interest is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit guarantee fund with a Voices of Change Gala in New York. In addition, South Africa is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its democracy.
“We are deeply honoured and inspired that our founder Donna Katzin is being recognised for her visionary leadership and commitment to human rights and economic justice by the South African government,” said Ann McMikel Executive Director of Shared Interest. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, the enduring vision that drives our work – then and now – is to be a catalytic vehicle of financial inclusion, systems change, economic empowerment and social impact that empowers Black women entrepreneurs and other small and medium-sized enterprises to be engines of sustainable development and growth in Southern Africa.”
Faith Khanyile, a beneficiary entrepreneur and now a member of the Board of Directors of Shared Interest, shared her experience stating, “This Order is a befitting acknowledgement of the vital role that Shared Interest plays in enabling Black-owned entrepreneurs to overcome the challenge of accessing the capital they need to grow businesses and contribute to our prosperity.”
Shared Interest’s impact on South Africa’s business landscape and its dedication to empowering underserved communities has earned Katzin and the organisation the highest accolades. This recognition showcases the importance of their work and highlights the profound difference that can be made by supporting businesses and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The receipts of the National Orders were announced by the South African government early this week, meanwhile the ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.
by 