About Shared Interest
Vision
Shared Interest envisions a just and vibrant South African economy that eliminates disparities and upholds the basic human rights enshrined in the nation’s constitution — a South African society that serves as a model of economic justice.
Mission
Shared Interest’s mission is to mobilize the resources for South Africa’s economically disenfranchised communities to sustain themselves and build an equitable nation.
To that end, Shared Interest:
- Guarantees South African bank loans to low-income communities and their own financial institutions to create businesses, jobs and affordable homes and services;
- Works through its partner organization, Thembani, to build the human capital and self-sufficiency of these community development financial institutions;
- Collaborates with other organizations to advance models and policies that recognize women as primary drivers of development and that increase the resources and power of South Africa’s most marginalized communities;
- Builds partnerships with individuals and institutions in the U.S. that enable them to invest in South Africa’s future.
“We particularly appreciate the efforts of Shared Interest, whose work since 1994 has helped us consolidate our achievement of political democracy through socioeconomic development that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary people. Your contribution toward making available credit, creating jobs, encouraging small business and providing affordable homes and viable communities for economically disenfranchised South Africans will be particularly remembered. Your unflagging partnership — as necessary now as it was in 1994 — has helped us develop new strategies and tools to give substance and shape to the vision and energies of our people. We look forward to continuing that work, which is based on a shared interest.”
– H. E. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Former President of South Africa
Annual Reports