Grammy award-winning gospel sensation Bebe Winans will perform at the American Friends of the Phelophepa Gala Award to honor lifestyle guru Colin Cowie, businessman William Hickman and world-renowned interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield.

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as Chairman of the Phelophepa health care Train in South Africa, announced today that William Hickman, President of FreeMarket Global, Colin A. W. Cowie, President of Colin Cowie Lifestyle and Geoffrey N. Bradfield, President Geoffrey Bradfield Inc, have been named 2007 Phelophepa Award for Excellence winners by the American Friends of the Phelophepa Train. The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner in New York on November 1, 2007.

Founded in 1994, the Phelophepa (pronounced PAY-low-PEP-PA) Train is a mobile medical unit that annually travels through 36 South African rural areas five days a week providing medical, dental and eye care, health education, psychological counseling and training programs on HIV/AIDS to disadvantage people in these areas. In rural provinces of South Africa, there is one doctor for every 5000 people. The Phelophepa (pronounced PAY-low-PEP-PA) represents social healing and reconciliation for what was a racially torn nation. Partly funded by the Transnet Foundation of South Africa, the program has been so successful that the South African Government will be launching a second train, Phelophepa II, in 2008.

For the past six years the American Friends of the Phelophepa Train have presented a gala dinner to celebrate and support the Train's travels throughout South Africa. US-based global business and social leaders, who share the goals and have made significant contributions, are recognized, not only for support of the cause but also for their efforts to improve the economic conditions in South Africa and the lives of its people.

Sharon L. Allen, Chairman of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, will be replacing James Copeland as Chairman of the Board of the American Friends of the Phelophepa Train. "It's an honor to have been asked to collaborate with the AFPT Board, Archbishop Desmond and Ms. Leah Tutu in bringing awareness to this cause in our country" said Allen.

Allen has been twice named to Forbes list of "the 100 most powerful women in the world". She is also a past designee as one of the "50 Women to Watch" by the Wall Street Journal.

Gospel sensation Grammy Award winner and musical director, Bebe Winans and Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michelle will be sharing the stage at Gotham Hall. They will be performing songs that celebrate hope and miracle from each of their respective catalogs.

The Gala Dinner will be emceed by "NBC's Nightly News" anchor, Lester Holt. Actress Holly Robinson Peete, Malaak Compton-Rock, Erica Reid, designer Naeem Khan, DJ Donna D'Cruz, award-winning TV producer Kevin Wendle and interior designer Nate Berkus, among others, are expected to attend the event.

Related Links www.americanfriendsofphelophepa.org

Contact: Cathe Kruger
American Friends of the Phelophepa Train
Telephone:(212) 229-0500
Mobile:(646) 943-4214