UPDATE 1-S.Africa's Mondi to sell down stake in Hadera JV

* Mondi to sell half stake in JV to Israel's Hadera

* Selling stake for $13 mln, to pay down debt

* Mondi shares flat, Hadera finished 1 pct higher

(Adds details)

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - South Africa's Mondi (MNDJ.J) said on Wednesday it will sell about half its stake in an Israeli joint venture for 10.4 million euro ($13.22 million) to help pay down debt.

Mondi said it would sell 25.1 percent of Mondi Hadera Paper Ltd to its partner in the venture, Israel's Hadera Paper (HAP.TA).

The Israeli company will then hold 75 percent of the joint firm, while Mondi will be left with a quarter. Mondi Hadera is a non-integrated paper mill located in Israel and has the capacity to produce 145,000 tonnes of paper a year, Mondi said.

The joint company made a pre-tax profit of 5.3 million euro in the year to end-December 2009, it said.

Mondi (MNDI.L), which is also listed in London, last month posted a return to half-year profit and forecasted a strong second half, citing better demand and prices.

Shares of Mondi were little changed at 54.49 rand as of 1112 GMT, while shares of Hadera finished down 1 percent.

(Reporting by David Dolan)