Absa Group Limited ("ABSA")

Mvelaphanda Group owns an effective 44,7% interest in Batho Bonke, which owns preference shares and options equating to an effective 10% shareholding in Absa.

Absa, which is listed on the JSE, is one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups offering a complete range of banking, bank assurance and wealth management products and services. Absa conducts its business primarily in South Africa, with equity holdings in banks in Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania. Absa is a subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”), which holds a stake of 58,8% in Absa. Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.

At 30 June 2008 Absa had 680,1 million shares in issue and a market capitalisation of R55,8 billion. The bank had assets of R737,6 billion, 1 176 locations in Africa, 9,4 million customers, 8 338 automated teller machines and 40 011 permanent employees, making it one of the biggest banks in Africa. For more details on Absa visit their website on www.absa.co.za.