Real People Press release
29 January 2008

South African credit specialist Real People attracts $20 million boost for unsecured credit book from North American fund manager

East London – Credit management specialist Real People has today announced funding of US$20m from Canadian fund manager Cordiant - via Real People stakeholder Netherlands Development Finance Company FMO - for the growth of its unsecured credit book in both South Africa and African outlets. The loan is in the form of a Cordiant and FMO funded risk participation agreement.

Real People say this backing is highly significant for the group. The funding is Real People’s first direct access to capital from North America - and a meaningful vote of international confidence in the group’s credit model, particularly given prevailing sentiments in the credit climate worldwide.

Real People deputy managing director Neil Grobbelaar comments: “Ongoing access to funding is critical to our growth, and we’re pleased to have excellent funding partnerships in place at home, in Europe and now in North America as well. With the general instability in credit markets in North America, this deal illustrates the attractiveness of the Real People business model, which focuses on the acquisition and management of personal credit risk in Sub-Saharan Africa. With new funding facilities of approximately R1bn secured since April 2007, this bodes well for our group’s ability to maintain our growth path, without compromise to prudent solvency margins.”

“Moreover, we also see the facility from Cordiant, a pre-eminent fund manager in emerging markets, as endorsement of our regional strategic focus. Our solid and ongoing relationship with FMO, who are also stake holders in our group, is an alliance we value highly, as FMO, like Real People, is committed to facilitating the delivery of financial services to previously neglected markets in Africa by supporting entrepreneurial businesses such as ourselves,” says Grobbelaar.

Real People unsecured personal loans in South Africa and in Sub-Saharan African countries enables clients to fund education, home improvements and other household needs. Arthur Arnold, FMO’s CEO, said: “FMO always strives for additionality and seeks to facilitate its partners to attract other financing by attaching its name as a reliable and stable partner with an AAA rating. We strongly believe that our longstanding cooperation can pave the way to an even more successful future for Real People.”

David Creighton, Cordiant’s President and CEO, said: “Cordiant is pleased to support Real People as it fosters the entrepreneurial spirit that encourages and facilitates the growth and sustainability that is so crucial to Africa’s continued development. We have long believed in the countless opportunities the continent presents and our history of successful African investments over the last several years is a testament to our commitment to the region and our understanding of what it has to offer.”

About Real People: www.realpeople.co.za
Real People, established in 2001, provides credit management services to the South African and sub-Saharan African market. Its divisions include credit management services, in-store credit solutions for 3rd party clients, retail financial services, housing solutions, assurance and cellular products.

About FMO: www.fmo.nl
The Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) is the international development bank of the Netherlands. FMO invests risk capital in companies and financial institutions in developing countries. FMO's investment portfolio is EUR 3.4 billion, making it is one of the largest bilateral development banks worldwide. Thanks in part to its relationship with the Dutch government, FMO is able to take risks which commercial financiers are not - or not yet - prepared to take. FMO's mission: to create flourishing enterprises, which can serve as engines of sustainable growth in their countries.

About Cordiant: Cordiant is a leading manager of emerging market private equity and debt funds. Since 2001, the firm has made over 100 investments in more than 40 emerging countries and has secured a solid six-year track record for its clients, which include some of Europe and North America’s largest institutional investors. Cordiant manages three debt funds and co-manages the Canada Investment Fund for Africa, a private equity fund that provides risk capital to commercially viable businesses throughout the African continent, for a total of US$1.4 billion in subscriptions since inception. For further information, please visit Cordiant’s website at www.cordiantcapital.com

Contact persons:
Neil Grobbelaar, deputy managing director, Real People
T: +27 43 702 4749
E: NGrobbelaar@realpeople.co.za

Carol Posthumus, corporate communications officer, Real People
T +27 43 706 7369
E: CPosthumus@realpeople.co.za

Nicoline van Slingelandt-Asselbergs, Communications Officer, FMO
T: + 31 70 314 9790
E: n.van.slingelandt@fmo.nl

David Creighton, President and CEO, Cordiant
T:+1-514-286-1142
E-mail: info@cordiantcap.com