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The consortium, which was financed by the Industrial Development Corporation, comprises AKA Capital, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, and the National African Woman's Alliance (NAWA) Hospitality Holdings.
Actis has been a shareholder in PHC since 1999. In 2000 it syndicated 50% of its stake to Comafin.
Peter Schmid, a managing partner of Actis, said: "Our investment in Protea has generated attractive returns and is an excellent demonstration of how we work with management to help them unlock value and build successful businesses by leveraging our African network.
"The tourism and hospitality sector remains attractive and we will consider further investments in this industry."
Richard Robinson, chief executive officer of Comafin, said: "At current exchange rates our investment has generated an impressive 21.5% IRR and 2.6 times cash multiple in five years in US dollar terms.
"I am pleased that we have been able to facilitate the transformation of this significant player in the hospitality industry."
Actis partnered with Protea's management to lead the group's African expansion being of particular assistance in Nigeria where Actis assisted with identifying appropriate sites and obtaining the requisite approvals.
The Comafin private equity fund was launched in 1996 by then President Nelson Mandela and is managed by an Actis-owned management company.
Fund investors are predominantly international from Brunei, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Botswana as well as the Development Bank of South Africa.
AKA Capital and Popcru were already investors in Protea and Actis and Comafin's exit has enabled them to increase their shareholdings.
This year Actis has invested in Delta's Repairs and Services and Replacement Parts divisions Peters Papers, Candax, Starcomms and UACN. Actis also exited its highly successful investment in Celtel.
Actis was awarded the Africa Investment 2004 'Deal of the Year' award for the BEE buy out it structured for Lenco.
Comafin, a ten year closed-end fund, is focused on exiting from its investments and has already completed four this year.
Another exit is anticipated for completion during July and Comafin's international investors are anticipating an attractive return on their investment.
Actis and Comafin were advised by Chartwell Capital Group, who were instrumental in bringing about the successful completion of this landmark BEE transaction.
