29th May 2019 07:00
NASPERS LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1925/001431/06)
JSE share code: NPN ISIN: ZAE000015889
LSE share code: NPSN ISIN: US 6315121003
(Naspers or the Company)
Capitalisation issue, posting of circular and notice of general meeting
1. INTRODUCTION
Shareholders are referred to the announcement made by the Company on 25 March
2019 (Announcement) in relation to the Company's intention to form a new global consumer internet group, comprising the Naspers Group's international internet assets. These assets will be held by Myriad International Holdings N.V., an existing subsidiary of Naspers incorporated in accordance with Dutch laws and whose new name will be changed shortly (NewCo). The NewCo N Ordinary Shares are proposed to be admitted to listing and trading on Euronext Amsterdam and, as a secondary inward listing, on the Main Board of the JSE Limited (JSE).
The Naspers board of directors (Board) is pleased to announce that the structure of the proposed transaction referred to in the Announcement has now been finalised and the salient details thereof are set out below.
Furthermore, Shareholders are hereby advised that a circular to Naspers N ordinary shareholders (Naspers N Shareholders) and Naspers A ordinary shareholders Naspers A Shareholders) (Naspers N Shareholders and Naspers A Shareholders,
collectively, Shareholders) dated 29 May 2019 (Circular) (and using the terms
defined therein unless otherwise stated) has been made available today and will be posted to Shareholders. The Circular, inter alia:
- explains what the Proposed Transaction is and why the Board believes it is in the best long-term interests of Shareholders;
- provides Shareholders with further information regarding the Proposed
Transaction and in particular the Capitalisation Issue;
- explains why the Board unanimously supports and recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution required to be approved by Shareholders in order to implement the Proposed Transaction; and
- convenes the General Meeting in order to consider, and if deemed fit, to approve the Resolution required to be approved by Shareholders in order to implement the Proposed Transaction.
The Circular is also available on the Company's website at www.naspers.com
and additional copies of the Circular can be obtained from the Company and the
Sponsor at their respective addresses provided in the "Corporate Information" section
of the Circular during normal business hours from today, 29 May 2019 up to and including
the date of the General Meeting, being Friday, 28 June 2019.
2. OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
Naspers intends to implement the Proposed Transaction through the following key
steps:
- The Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue to be implemented in accordance
with section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation, in terms of which, subject to the Election, Naspers N Shareholders
will be issued with Naspers M Ordinary Shares which will be automatically
contributed to NewCo in return for the issue of NewCo N Ordinary Shares to
Naspers N Shareholders.
- The Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue to be implemented in accordance
with section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation, in terms of which Naspers N Shareholders can elect to participate
in the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue and be issued with Naspers N
Ordinary Shares instead of participating in the Naspers M Share Capitalisation
Issue and being issued with Naspers M Ordinary Shares (and consequently
NewCo N Ordinary Shares).
- The Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue to be implemented in accordance
with section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation, in terms of which Naspers A Shareholders will be issued new
Naspers A Ordinary Shares related to the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue.
- A distribution in kind of NewCo A Ordinary Shares by the Company to Naspers A
Shareholders through a pro rata distribution in kind for no consideration in terms
of section 46 of the Companies Act.
3. BACKGROUND TO, AND REASONS FOR, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
Naspers has a long history of investing in technology companies to capture growth,
transforming itself from a print media, pay-television and video-entertainment
company into one of the top 10 global internet companies by market capitalisation.
Through its growth, the Company has created significant value for its stakeholders.
This rapid growth has, however, also created some unique market dynamics.
The Company constitutes almost 25% of the JSE Shareholder Weighted Index,
compared to 5% in 2013, and its outsized weighting on the JSE and in key FTSE/JSE
indices exceeds most South African institutional investors' single stock limits. It is
uncommon for a single stock to have such an outsized weighting when compared
to other indices. As a result of their single company investment limits and mandate
restrictions, many South African institutional investors have been forced to sell
their shares in Naspers as Naspers grew.
After careful and comprehensive evaluation of the merits of other strategic options
available to the Company, it was concluded that the Proposed Transaction is the most
promising way to attempt to address these market dynamics and to create further
Shareholder value. The Proposed Transaction is intended to address these market issues
and is the next significant action to be taken by Naspers management to create
further Shareholder value.
Naspers believes that the Proposed Transaction is a significant step for Naspers
and presents a new opportunity for global internet investors to access Naspers's
unique portfolio of international internet assets. Naspers intends for the Proposed
Transaction to reduce its index weighting on the JSE and at the same time create a new
platform to attract incremental demand from a broader range of global investors.
Naspers believes that the Proposed Transaction is well aligned to its continued
growth ambitions and will help to maximise Shareholder value over time.
Following the Proposed Transaction, Naspers will:
- subject to the outcome of the Capitalisation Issue, hold not less than 73% of
the issued NewCo N Ordinary Shares, with the balance being held by Naspers
Shareholders as NewCo free float;
- retain its primary listing on the JSE and secondary listing on A2X. Naspers is
expected to remain the largest South African company listed on the JSE by
market capitalisation;
- remain included in the relevant JSE indices, subject to meeting the relevant
eligibility criteria; and
- continue to hold its media assets (primarily Media24) and ecommerce assets in
South Africa (primarily Takealot and Property24) directly rather than through
NewCo.
After implementation of the Proposed Transaction, Naspers will continue to
invest in South Africa and is committed to building its existing internet and
ecommerce companies in the country, as well as stimulating the local tech start-
up sector through Naspers Foundry, which is a R1.4bn investment commitment
targeting technology start-ups in South Africa. This commitment is in addition
to the commitment Naspers made in October 2018 at the inaugural South Africa
Investment Conference to inject a further R3.2bn into its existing South African
businesses, which is already under way.
4. THE NEWCO GROUP
These disclosures have been drafted as the NewCo Group is expected to exist on
implementation of the Proposed Transaction.
The NewCo Group is a global consumer internet group and one of the largest
technology investors in the world. The NewCo Group operates across a variety of
platforms and geographies. The NewCo Group aims to build leading companies that
create value by empowering people and enriching communities. The NewCo Group
has grown by investing in, acquiring and building leading companies. The NewCo
Group typically focuses on large consumer trends where it tries to identify changes
early, invests in and adapts proven business models for the high-growth markets
it is focusing on and leverages its skills and local knowledge and position to build
businesses that have scale and benefit from local network effects. The NewCo Group
believes that its platforms offer customers fast, intuitive and secure environments
to communicate and conduct transactions. The NewCo Group focuses on several
markets that present above-average growth opportunities when compared to mature markets
due to their economic growth, scalability and fast-growing mobile internet penetration
levels. The NewCo Group's businesses and investments primarily operate in China, India,
Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the
Middle East and Africa. The NewCo Group has developed strong brands in these markets
and believes that those global and local brands are an important way for each of its
businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors, thereby driving organic
traffic through consumer word-of-mouth.
The NewCo Group's consumer-facing internet services span the core focus segments
of online Classifieds, Payments and Fintech, and Food Delivery, plus other online
business segments, including Etail and Travel. Investing in new sectors is an inherent
part of the NewCo Group's strategy and through the NewCo Group's Ventures team,
it intends to continue investing in businesses that it believes have the potential to
contribute towards its next wave of growth. The NewCo Group's investments in
Tencent and Mail.ru cover a wide variety of internet services that are built around
core communication and social networking platforms operating mainly in China and
Russia.
The NewCo Group's businesses and investments generate revenues through: online
sales of goods, listing fees, payment transaction fees and commissions, mobile
and other content revenue (from online mobile app-based services and content,
ticketing and logistics services), food-delivery charges and other sources
(such as travel-package revenue and commissions thereon and advertising revenue).
5. RESOLUTION AND GENERAL MEETING
A General Meeting of Shareholders will be held at the Protea Room, First Floor,
Cape Town International Convention Centre 2, corner of Heerengracht and Rua
Bartholomeu Dias, Foreshore, Cape Town, South Africa on Friday, 28 June 2019 at
11:15 (subject to any adjournment, postponement or cancellation), to consider and if
deemed fit, to pass, the Resolution (as more fully set out in the Circular).
In particular, at the General Meeting, approval will be sought from Shareholders on
the following matters required to be approved by Shareholders in order to implement
the Proposed Transaction:
- The amendment of the Memorandum of Incorporation in accordance with section
36(2), section 16(1)(c) and section 16(5)(a) of the Companies Act and article 38
of the Memorandum of Incorporation to: (i) create 500 000 000 unlisted Naspers
M Ordinary Shares in the authorised share capital of the Company in order to
facilitate the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue, and the issue of NewCo
N Ordinary Shares to Naspers N Shareholders; and (ii) create the right for
Naspers A Shareholders to receive the NewCo A Share Distribution.
- The implementation of the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue in terms
of section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation by the Company, by the Company issuing, subject to the Election, no
more than 438 656 059 Naspers M Ordinary Shares on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in the Circular.
- The implementation of the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue in terms
of section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation, by the Company issuing, in accordance with the Elections made, no
more than 61 343 941 Naspers N Ordinary Shares on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in the Circular.
- To the extent required, the implementation of the Naspers A Share Capitalisation
Issue in terms of section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the
Memorandum of Incorporation, by the Company issuing no more than 173 671
Naspers A Ordinary Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set out
in the Circular. As a result of the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue such
number of Naspers A Ordinary Shares will be issued on a pro rata basis to
Naspers A Shareholders so as to maintain the voting ratio that existed between
the Naspers A Ordinary Shares and the Naspers N Ordinary Shares following the
capitalisation issue implemented by Naspers on 26 November 2015, where-after
Naspers A Ordinary Shares carried 68.37% of the total voting rights in the
Company and Naspers N Ordinary Shares carried 31.63% of the total voting rights
in the Company.
- Approving the issue of up to 438 656 059 Naspers M Ordinary Shares, up to
61 343 941 Naspers N Ordinary Shares and up to 173 671 Naspers A Ordinary
Shares pursuant to the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue, the Naspers N Share
Capitalisation Issue and the Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue, respectively.
The Resolution required to be approved by Shareholders in order to implement the
Proposed Transaction (Special Resolution 1 of the General Meeting Notice) is proposed
as a composite special resolution, notwithstanding that certain matters proposed to be
authorised in terms of the Resolution may qualify to be posed as ordinary resolutions.
In respect of any component of the Resolution which is posed as a special resolution,
but for which only an ordinary resolution is required, the passing of the special resolution
shall be deemed to include such component of the Resolution having been passed as an
ordinary resolution.
The adoption of the Resolution requires Shareholder approval of at least 75%
of the aggregate voting rights exercised on the Resolution by the Shareholders
(determined in accordance with the voting rights attaching to the Naspers
N Ordinary Shares and the Naspers A Ordinary Shares in terms of the Memorandum
of Incorporation, respectively), voting together, whether present in person or
represented by proxy, at the General Meeting, and entitled to exercise voting rights
on the Resolution.
The General Meeting Notice and a Form of Proxy, for use by Certificated
Shareholders and Dematerialised Shareholders with "own-name" registration who
are unable to attend the General Meeting in person, are attached to the Circular.
Dematerialised Shareholders who are not "own-name" Dematerialised Shareholders who
wish to attend the General Meeting (including to vote thereat) should instruct their
CSDP or broker to issue them with the necessary letter of representation to attend
the General Meeting in person, in the manner stipulated in the custody agreement
governing the relationship between them and their CSDP or broker.
6. RECOMMENDATION
The Board is of the view that the Proposed Transaction provides the potential to
realise the benefits highlighted above in an efficient and effective manner through
the creation of a vibrant listing and free float of NewCo on Euronext Amsterdam
and, through its secondary inward listing, on the JSE, while allowing all Naspers N
Shareholders equal opportunity to participate directly in the potential future growth
of NewCo.
The Board is of the view that the Proposed Transaction is in the best interests of the
Company and recommends that all Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolution
to approve certain matters related to implementation of the Proposed Transaction.
Each of the Directors themselves intends to vote all of the voting rights attaching
to the Shares held by them in favour of the Resolution.
7. SALIENT DATES OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
The following indicative timetable sets out expected dates for the General Meeting,
the Capitalisation Issue, Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue and NewCo A Share
Distribution:
| 2019 |
Record date to determine which Shareholders are entitled to receive the Circular and General Meeting Notice | Friday, 17 May |
Circular and General Meeting Notice posted to Shareholders as well as declaration date announcement released on SENS | Wednesday, 29 May |
Last day to trade Naspers N Ordinary Shares in order to be recorded in the Naspers register on the record date to be eligible to vote and participate at the General Meeting | Tuesday, 18 June |
Record date to be eligible to vote and participate at the General Meeting, by close of trade | Friday, 21 June |
General Meeting to be held at the Protea Room, First Floor, Cape Town International Convention Centre 2, corner of Heerengracht and Rua Bartholomeu Dias, Foreshore, Cape Town, South Africa, at 11:15 | Friday, 28 June |
Results of the General Meeting to be released on SENS | Friday, 28 June |
Publication of Prospectus | Monday, 1 July |
Elections in relation to the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue open | Monday, 1 July |
Last day to trade in Naspers N Ordinary Shares in order to be able to participate in the Capitalisation Issue | Tuesday, 16 July |
Naspers N Ordinary Shares trade "ex" the entitlement to participate in the Capitalisation Issue | Wednesday, 17 July |
Listing of the NewCo N Ordinary Shares on Euronext Amsterdam and the JSE | Wednesday, 17 July |
Announcement to be released on SENS on the cash proceeds in respect of fractional entitlements of Naspers N Ordinary Shares by 11:00 | Thursday, 18 July |
Elections in relation to the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue close at 12:00 | Friday, 19 July |
Record Date at 17:00 | Friday, 19 July |
Listing of Naspers N Ordinary Shares pursuant to the implementation of the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue | Monday, 22 July |
Implementation of the Capitalisation Issue (including issue of Naspers M Ordinary Shares and automatic contribution for issue of NewCo N Ordinary Shares and issue of Naspers N Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue) and Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue | Monday, 22 July |
Settlement of the Capitalisation Issue | Monday, 22 July |
The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary, expects to receive credit of NewCo N Ordinary Shares (at its custodian banks in the Netherlands) allocated to the NewCo ADS Facility pursuant to the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue and to deliver NewCo ADSs to holders of Naspers ADSs | On or about Monday, 22 July |
NewCo A Share Distribution implemented | Tuesday, 23 July |
Notes
1. The dates and times indicated in the table above are subject to change. Any material
changes will be released on SENS.
2. Shareholders should note that, as transactions in Naspers N Ordinary Shares are settled
in the Strate System, settlement of trades takes place three trading days after such trade.
Therefore, persons who acquire Naspers N Ordinary Shares after the last day to trade in
order to be recorded in the Naspers register to be eligible to vote at the General Meeting,
being 18 June 2019 will not be able to vote at the General Meeting. Similar principles apply
in relation to the last day to trade in order to participate in the Capitalisation Issue.
3. Forms of Election should be received by the Company or the Transfer Secretary by 12:00 on
Friday, 19 July 2019 in the case of the Certificated Naspers N Shareholders. Dematerialised
Naspers N Shareholders must inform their GSDP, broker or agent if they choose to make the
Election; in accordance with the agreement between such Naspers N Shareholders and their
respective GSDPs, broker, or agent.
4. Shareholders should note that, as the trading of NewCo N Ordinary Shares is settled
through the Strate System, in the case of the JSE, and Euroclear Nederland, in the case
of Euronext Amsterdam, settlement of the first trades in both the Strate System, in the
case of the JSE, and Euroclear Nederland, in the case of Euronext Amsterdam, will take
place three trading days after the first trades are executed in order to accommodate the
settlement cycle of the Strate System. NewCo N Ordinary Shares are expected to list and
commence trading on the JSE and Euronext Amsterdam on an "as-if-when-issued" basis
on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 and the trades executed on this first trading date are expected
to settle on Monday, 22 July 2019 on both the JSE and Euronext Amsterdam. Following
the first trading date of NewCo N Ordinary Shares on Euronext Amsterdam and the JSE,
settlement of trades in NewCo N Ordinary Shares will take place two trading days after
a trade is executed through Euroclear Nederland, in the case of Euronext Amsterdam,
and three trading days after a trade is executed through the Strate System, in the case of
the JSE.
5. Forms of Proxy are to be received by no later than 11:15 on Wednesday, 26 June 2019 for
administrative purposes only, or such later date if the General Meeting is postponed to
allow for processing of such proxies. Proxies may, however, be handed to the chair of the
General Meeting prior to such proxy exercising any right of the Shareholder at the General
Meeting.
6. No Naspers N Ordinary Shares may be rematerialised or Dematerialised from Wednesday,
17 July 2019 to Friday, 19 July 2019, both days inclusive.
7. If the General Meeting is adjourned or postponed, Forms of Proxy submitted for the initial
General Meeting will remain valid in respect of any such adjournment or postponement.
8. All references to times are to South African Standard Time.
8. CAPITALISATION ISSUE
8.1 Implementation of the Capitalisation issue
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Circular and the Naspers
M Share Capitalisation Issue becoming operative, the Company intends to
implement the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue. However, Naspers
N Shareholders will be able to Elect to participate in the Naspers N Share
Capitalisation Issue instead of participating in the Naspers M Share
Capitalisation Issue.
The implementation of the Capitalisation Issue will be subject to the fulfilment
or waiver (in whole or in part), on or before the Longstop Date (1 July 2019), of
the following conditions:
- The Resolution relating to the implementation of the Proposed Transaction
being adopted by the requisite majority of Shareholders (as indicated in the
General Meeting Notice).
- All Regulatory Consents being received on an unconditional basis, or to
the extent that any such Regulatory Consents are subject to any obligation,
undertaking, condition or qualification, such obligation, undertaking,
condition or qualification is acceptable to the Company in its discretion.
- The proposed amendments to the Memorandum of Incorporation being
approved by the requisite majority of Shareholders at the General Meeting
and being filed with, and accepted by, the CIPC.
All of the above conditions are for the benefit of Naspers. The conditions may
be waived, in whole or in part, by Naspers on or before the Longstop Date. The
Longstop Date may be extended by Naspers from time to time by issuing an
announcement to Shareholders on SENS. The Capitalisation Issue will be unconditional
for all purposes upon the issue of a finalisation announcement by Naspers on SENS.
The Board reserves the right, in its discretion, to decide not to proceed
with the Proposed Transaction until 14:00 on the last day to trade in Naspers N
Ordinary Shares in order to be able to participate in the Capitalisation Issue,
currently expected to be Tuesday, 16 July 2019. This discretion will include,
but not be limited to, the right to amend the timetable for the Proposed Transaction.
Naspers may at any time, after the Capitalisation Issue is implemented, depending on
market conditions and other factors, offer to sell NewCo N Ordinary Shares to new investors.
8.2 The Election
To achieve the objective of creating a NewCo N Ordinary Share free float of
25%, or as close as possible thereto post implementation of the Proposed
Transaction, while at the same time offering Naspers N Shareholders the
ability to Elect to participate in the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue
and receive Naspers N Ordinary Shares, the Board determined that 27%,
representing 438 656 059 of the issued NewCo N Ordinary Shares (post
implementation of the Proposed Transaction) would be made available to
Naspers N Shareholders in terms of the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue.
Consequently, in terms of the Capitalisation Issue a Naspers N Shareholder
will ultimately receive, on a pro rata basis, either an additional direct or
additional indirect interest in NewCo depending on whether they exercise the
election to participate in the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue, whereby:
- a Naspers N Shareholder that does not elect to participate in the Naspers N
Share Capitalisation Issue will be issued with one Naspers M Ordinary Share
and consequently one NewCo N Ordinary Share for every one Naspers N
Ordinary Share held on the Record Date; or
- a Naspers N Shareholder that elects to participate in the Naspers N Share
Capitalisation Issue will be issued with 0.36986 additional Naspers N
Ordinary Shares for every one Naspers N Ordinary Share held on the Record
Date. Where such an election is made, Naspers will be issued the underlying
one NewCo N Ordinary Share that would otherwise have been issued to the
Naspers N Shareholder, thereby providing such Naspers N Shareholder with
the same effective interest in NewCo through the Naspers N Ordinary Shares
to be issued, as a Naspers N Shareholder that is issued one Naspers M
Ordinary Share and consequently one NewCo N Ordinary Share.
The ratio of 0.36986 Naspers N Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to an
election made instead of being issued one Naspers M Ordinary Share (and
consequently one NewCo N Ordinary Share) under the Naspers M Share
Capitalisation Issue reflects the ratio between the 438 656 059 Naspers
N Ordinary Shares and 1 185 996 011 NewCo N Ordinary Shares in issue
immediately prior to the implementation of the Capitalisation Issue.
Naspers N Shareholders that do not elect to participate in the
Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue or do not submit their Election
timeously, will be issued with Naspers M Ordinary Shares on the
terms and conditions of the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue
set out in the Circular and will, accordingly, be issued one NewCo N
Ordinary Share in consideration for the automatic contribution of
each Naspers M Ordinary Share held by them.
8.3 Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Circular, the Company
intends to implement a capitalisation issue in terms of which it will, subject
to the Election, issue up to 438 656 059 Naspers M Ordinary Shares to Naspers
N Shareholders as a capitalisation issue in terms of section 47 of the
Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of Incorporation, with each
Naspers N Shareholder entitled to be issued one Naspers M Ordinary Share
for each Naspers N Ordinary Share held on the Record Date, expected to be
Friday, 19 July 2019.
Each Naspers M Ordinary Share issued pursuant to the Naspers M Share
Capitalisation Issue will entitle the holder thereof to be issued one NewCo
N Ordinary Share in consideration for the automatic contribution of every
one Naspers M Ordinary Share to NewCo in accordance with the terms of the
Naspers M Ordinary Shares.
8.4 Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue
Subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Circular, the Company
intends to implement a capitalisation issue, in terms of which it will issue up to
61 343 941 Naspers N Ordinary Shares to Naspers N Shareholders that Elect to
participate in the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue instead of participating
in the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue as a capitalisation issue in terms
of section 47 of the Companies Act and article 14 of the Memorandum of
Incorporation.
Naspers N Shareholders Electing to participate in the Naspers N Share
Capitalisation Issue shall be issued 0.36986 Naspers N Ordinary Shares for
each Naspers M Ordinary Share that they would otherwise have been entitled
to be issued as at the Record Date had they participated in the Naspers M
Share Capitalisation Issue. Naspers N Shareholders who make an Election
must do so in respect of all (and not part) of their Naspers N Ordinary Shares
held as at the Record Date.
The number of Naspers N Ordinary Shares that can be issued pursuant to
the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue is limited to the number of Naspers
N Ordinary Shares available in the authorised but unissued share capital
of the Company, being 61 343 941 Naspers N Ordinary Shares as at the Last
Practicable Date. Should the number of Naspers N Ordinary Shares to be
issued under the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue exceed the number of
authorised but unissued Naspers N Ordinary Shares available, then the number
of Naspers N Ordinary Shares to which a Naspers N Shareholder exercising
the Election would have been entitled if sufficient Naspers N Ordinary Shares
were available in the authorised share capital of the Company will be scaled
down on a pro rata basis to holdings of Naspers N Ordinary Shares on the
Record Date, with the balance of such Naspers N Shareholders' entitlements
under the Capitalisation Issue being issued in the form of Naspers M Ordinary
Shares (and ultimately, NewCo N Ordinary Shares).
Only whole numbers of Naspers N Ordinary Shares and Naspers M Ordinary Shares will
be issued and where fractional entitlements to Naspers N Ordinary Shares arise,
such fractions will be rounded down to the nearest whole number with any remaining
fractional entitlements to Naspers N Ordinary Shares being sold on behalf of the
relevant Naspers N Shareholder. The cash proceeds of such fractional entitlements
sold on behalf of such Naspers N Shareholders will be determined in accordance with
the JSE Listings Requirements and paid to the relevant Naspers N Shareholder in its
brokerage account or an to a nominee account to be held on behalf and for the benefit
of the relevant Naspers N Shareholder, in accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements.
As outlined above, for every one Naspers N Ordinary Share issued pursuant
to the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue, Naspers will be issued 2.70370
NewCo N Ordinary Shares.
All new Naspers N Ordinary Shares and NewCo N Ordinary Shares will be
issued in Dematerialised Form. For further information on settlement please
see the Circular. If you have any queries please contact the Naspers transfer
secretary, including in relation to how to open an account for holding Naspers
N Ordinary Shares or NewCo N Ordinary Shares in Dematerialised Form.
8.5 Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue
In terms of article 14.1.6 of the Memorandum of Incorporation, if there is a
capitalisation issue of Naspers N Ordinary Shares, a corresponding number of
Naspers A Ordinary Shares is required to be issued through a capitalisation
issue in order to maintain the voting ratio that existed between the Naspers
A Ordinary Shares and the Naspers N Ordinary Shares prior to the relevant
capitalisation issue of Naspers N Ordinary Shares. In this regard, Naspers
implemented a capitalisation issue on 26 November 2015 as a result of which
Naspers A Ordinary Shares carried 68.37% of the aggregate voting rights in
Naspers and Naspers N Ordinary Shares carried 31.63% of the aggregate
voting rights. Similarly, as it is proposed as part of the Proposed Transaction to
implement the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue in terms of which Naspers
N Ordinary Shares will be issued as a capitalisation issue, the Company will
be required in terms of the Memorandum of Incorporation to implement a
capitalisation issue of the Naspers A Ordinary Shares.
Accordingly, the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue will be accompanied
by a pro rata capitalisation issue of up to 173 671 Naspers A Ordinary Shares
to Naspers A Shareholders on the register on the Record Date so that the
percentage of voting rights entitled to be exercised at a general meeting on
matters to be determined by the Naspers A Shareholders and the Naspers N
Shareholders collectively, following implementation of the Naspers N Share
Capitalisation Issue, shall be the same vis-a-vis Naspers A Shareholders and
Naspers N Shareholders as they were immediately following the capitalisation
issue implemented by Naspers on 26 November 2015. The effect of the Naspers
A Share Capitalisation Issue will be that 68.37% of the total voting rights in the
Company will be exercisable by the Naspers A Shareholders and 31.63% of the
total voting rights in the Company will be exercisable by Naspers N Shareholders.
9. NEWCO SHARE CAPITAL
It is expected that, immediately following the implementation of the Proposed
Transaction, NewCo's share capital will comprise NewCo A Ordinary Shares and
NewCo N Ordinary Shares.
- The NewCo A Shares: (i) are not, and will not be admitted to listing and trading
on a stock exchange as part of the Proposed Transaction; and (ii) carry one vote
per share, save if Naspers's voting interest in the NewCo Shares drops below 50%
plus one vote of the total voting interest of all NewCo Shares, which event would,
pursuant to NewCo's Articles of Association, automatically result in the NewCo A
Ordinary Shares carrying 1 000 votes per share.
- The NewCo N Ordinary Shares will, subject to having received the requisite
approvals from Euronext Amsterdam and the JSE, be admitted to listing and
trading on Euronext Amsterdam and, as a secondary listing, on the Main Board of
the JSE and carry one vote per share.
It is expected that immediately after implementation of the Proposed Transaction,
NewCo will have 1 624 652 070 NewCo N Ordinary Shares in issue. Subject to the
outcome of the Capitalisation Issue, which is uncertain, it is expected that Naspers
will hold not less than 73% (1 185 996 011 NewCo N Ordinary Shares) of the issued
NewCo N Ordinary Shares with not more than 27% (438 656 059 NewCo N Ordinary
Shares) being held as free float at such time.
Each NewCo A Ordinary Share and each NewCo N Ordinary Share issued and
outstanding will rank equally with, and will be eligible for any dividends that may
be declared on, the NewCo A Ordinary Shares and the NewCo N Ordinary Shares,
respectively. Each holder of a NewCo A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one-fifth
of the dividend rights to which a holder of a NewCo N Ordinary Share is entitled
multiplied by the percentage free float of NewCo (ie the percentage of NewCo
N Ordinary Shares not held by Naspers).
10. NEWCO A SHARE DISTRIBUTION
Naspers will, subject to the terms and conditions of the Circular and following the
implementation of the Capitalisation Issue and the Naspers A Share Capitalisation
Issue, distribute the NewCo A Ordinary Shares on a pro rata basis to Naspers A
Shareholders on the Naspers register on the Record Date. In order to implement
the NewCo A Share Distribution, an amendment is required to be made to the
Memorandum of Incorporation so as to give Naspers A Shareholders the right to
receive NewCo A Ordinary Shares in terms of the NewCo A Share Distribution.
For further information on the proposed amendment to the Memorandum
of Incorporation, please refer to the conformed copy of the Memorandum
of Incorporation showing all proposed amendments thereto available on the
Company's website at www.naspers.com.
11. TAXATION
This paragraph highlights certain South African tax considerations in
relation to the Capitalisation Issue. This brief summary does not purport to
address all tax consequences associated with the Proposed Transaction,
and does not take into account the specific circumstances of any
particular investor or the tax laws of any country other than South Africa.
For further information regarding certain Dutch and U.S. tax considerations
related to the Proposed Transaction, please refer to paragraph 19 of the
Circular titled "Taxation".
The summary of South African income tax consequences set out below is for
general information only. All Shareholders should consult their tax advisers
regarding the particular tax consequences applicable to them in relation to the
Proposed Transaction, including the applicability and effect of other tax laws and
possible changes in tax law.
The South African income tax system is a residence-based system of taxation,
in terms of which South African tax residents are subject to tax in South Africa
on their worldwide income. Persons that are non-resident for South African tax
purposes are subject to tax on income derived from a South African source. This
summary is based on the assumption that an investor is resident in South Africa for
tax purposes, and that NewCo is not resident in South Africa for tax purposes.
A natural person is a South African tax resident if he or she is "ordinarily resident"
in South Africa or, if not "ordinarily resident" in South Africa, was physically present
in South Africa for certain prescribed periods within a continuous six-year period.
These periods require a physical presence in South Africa of more than 91 days in
each of the six years and more than 915 during the first five years.
A person other than a natural person (ie a juristic person or a trust) is a South
African tax resident if it is incorporated, established or formed in South Africa or if
its place of effective management is located in South Africa.
The definition of a resident specifically excludes any person who is deemed to be
exclusively a resident of another country for purposes of an applicable agreement
for the avoidance of double taxation entered into between South Africa and
the other relevant jurisdiction. Shareholders with questions regarding their tax
residency should consult their tax advisers.
Capitalisation Issue
The Capitalisation Issue by Naspers of Naspers N Ordinary Shares and Naspers
M Ordinary Shares is not a taxable event. Furthermore the issue of shares by a
company is specifically excluded from the definition of a "dividend", as such there
should be no dividend tax liability triggered as a result of the Capitalisation Issue.
In the hands of the Shareholders, such Capitalisation Issue shares will, however,
be deemed to have nil tax base cost, which implies that the full value of the shares
may become taxable in the event that such shares are disposed of in future, to the
extent that the Shareholder is subject to South African tax. In this regard, in terms
of the Naspers M Share Capitalisation Issue a disposal of the Naspers M Ordinary
Shares is triggered immediately for South African tax purposes when the Naspers
M Ordinary Shares will be automatically contributed for the issue of NewCo N
Ordinary Shares in accordance with the terms of the Naspers M Ordinary Shares
(with proceeds being equal to the market value of the NewCo N Ordinary Shares
at the time that the Capitalisation Issue is implemented). Effectively, this means
that whereas the capitalisation issue by Naspers of Naspers N Ordinary Shares
is tax free for South African tax resident Shareholders, the Naspers M Share
Capitalisation Issue will be a taxable event for certain South African tax resident
Shareholders (ie taxable). Non-South African tax resident Shareholders, whose
shares are not attributable to a permanent establishment in South Africa, should
fall outside the scope of South African capital gains tax insofar as it relates to the
disposal of shares in Naspers - as Naspers is not a so-called "land rich" company,
ie Naspers shares should not constitute an "interest in immovable property situated
in the Republic" for South African capital gains tax purposes.
IMPORTANT NOTICES AND DISCLAIMERS
This announcement does not include all information on the Proposed
Transaction and Naspers Shareholders must have regard to the contents
of the entire Circular in relation to the Proposed Transaction and must take
appropriate advice as necessary, particularly, in relation to the potential
tax implications of the Capitalisation Issue and/or the Election.
The release, publication or distribution of the Circular and/or this announcement in
jurisdictions other than South Africa may be restricted by law and therefore persons
into whose possession this Circular and/or this announcement comes should inform
themselves about, and observe, any applicable restrictions or requirements. Any
failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities
laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
Naspers and NewCo disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such
requirements by any person. Notices for certain Foreign Shareholders located in, or
resident of, certain jurisdictions are set out in the Circular.
It is the responsibility of any Foreign Shareholder (including, without limitation,
nominees, agents and trustees for such persons) wishing to receive the Circular
(including the Form of Election) and/or participate in the Capitalisation Issue,
Naspers A Share Capitalisation Issue or the NewCo A Share Distribution, as the case
may be, to satisfy themselves as to the full observance of the applicable laws of any
relevant territory, including obtaining any requisite governmental or other consents,
observing any other requirements or formalities and paying any issue, transfer or other
taxes due in such territories. For further information on the treatment of Foreign
Shareholders, see the Circular.
The Circular and this announcement is not a prospectus or a prospectus-equivalent
document and neither is the Circular, this announcement nor any accompanying
documentation intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of, an offer to
sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction.
Shareholders are advised to read the Circular, which contains the terms and
conditions of the Capitalisation Issue, with care and in full. Any decision to approve
the Resolution or analysis of the Capitalisation Issue and/or other matters dealt with
in the Circular should be made only on the basis of the information in the Circular.
Application will be made for all of the issued NewCo N Ordinary Shares to be
admitted to listing and trading on Euronext Amsterdam and, as a secondary listing, on the Main
Board of the JSE. The Prospectus to be issued by NewCo in respect of, among
other things, the Admissions will be made available in due course, subject to
applicable securities laws, on www.newglobaltechgroup.com. Shareholders should
have regard to the Prospectus before making an Election.
Application will also be made for the admission of the Naspers N Ordinary Shares
to be issued under the Naspers N Share Capitalisation Issue to listing and trading
on the JSE, as a primary listing, and on A2X, as a secondary listing.
Each Financial Adviser is acting exclusively for the Company and NewCo and no
one else in connection with the Proposed Transaction. No Financial Adviser will
regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Circular) as its client in
relation to the Proposed Transaction and will not be responsible to anyone other
than the Company and/or NewCo for providing the protections afforded to its
client nor for giving advice in relation to the Proposed Transaction or any other
transaction or arrangement referred to in the Circular and/or this announcement.
No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given, and no
responsibility is accepted, by or on behalf of the Financial Advisers or any of their
affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers or employees or any other
person, as to the accuracy, completeness, fairness or verification of the information
or opinions contained in the Circular and/or this announcement and nothing
contained in the Circular and/or this announcement is, or shall be relied upon as,
a promise or representation by the Financial Advisers or any of their respective
affiliates as to the past or future. Accordingly, the Financial Advisers and each of
their affiliates and their respective directors, officers and employees disclaim, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability, whether arising in tort
or contract or that they might otherwise be found to have in respect of the Circular,
this announcement and/or any such statement.
The Naspers Shares and the NewCo Shares will not be registered under the U.S Securities Act,
as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S.
Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements thereunder.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement and the Circular contain statements about Naspers and/or NewCo that are, or may
be, forward-looking statements. All statements (other than statements of historical fact) are, or may be
deemed to be, forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those concerning: strategy;
the economic outlook for the industries in which Naspers and/or NewCo operates or invests as well as
markets generally; production; cash costs and other operating results; growth prospects and outlook
for operations and/or investments, individually or in the aggregate; liquidity, capital resources and
expenditure, statements in relation to the approval by Shareholders or implementation of the Proposed
Transactions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect
current expectations concerning future results and events and generally may be identified by the use of
forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe", "aim", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "foresee",
"forecast", "likely", "should", "planned", "may", "estimated", "potential" or similar words and phrases.
Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding a future financial position or
future profits, cash flows, corporate strategy, implementation of the Proposed Transaction, anticipated
levels of growth, estimates of capital expenditures, acquisition and investment strategy, expansion
prospects or future capital expenditure levels and other economic factors, such as, among others,
growth and interest rates.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.
Naspers cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual
results, financial and operating conditions, returns and the developments within the industries and
markets in which Naspers or NewCo operates and/or invests may differ materially from those made in,
or suggested by, the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and/or the Circular.
All these forward-looking statements are based on estimates, predictions and assumptions, as regards
Naspers or NewCo, all of which estimates, predictions and assumptions, although Naspers believes
them to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and may not eventuate or eventuate in the manner
Naspers expects. Factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in
those statements or assumptions include matters not yet known to Naspers or not currently considered
material by Naspers.
Shareholders should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made in this announcement and/
or the Circular or elsewhere is applicable only at the date on which such forward-looking statement
is made. New factors that could cause the business of Naspers or NewCo not to develop as expected
may emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all of them. Further, the extent to which
any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement is not known. Naspers has no duty to,
and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement
and/or the Circular or any other information herein after the date of the Circular, except as may be
required by law.
Any forward-looking statement has not been reviewed nor reported on by Naspers's external auditor or
any other expert.
NASPERS N SHAREHOLDERS MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE CONTENTS OF THE
ENTIRE CIRCULAR IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND MUST
TAKE APPROPRIATE ADVICE AS NECESSARY, PARTICULARLY, IN RELATION TO
THE POTENTIAL TAX IMPLICATIONS OF THE CAPITALISATION ISSUE OR THE
ELECTION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL TAX IMPLICATIONS
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD REFER TO PARAGRAPH 19 OF THE CIRCULAR. IN
PARTICULAR, SHAREHOLDERS SUBJECT TO SOUTH AFRICAN TAX SHOULD NOTE
THAT, IN TERMS OF THE NASPERS M SHARE CAPITALISATION ISSUE, A DISPOSAL
OF THE NASPERS M ORDINARY SHARES IS TRIGGERED IMMEDIATELY FOR SOUTH
AFRICAN TAX PURPOSES WHEN THE NASPERS M ORDINARY SHARES WILL BE
AUTOMATICALLY CONTRIBUTED FOR THE ISSUE OF NEWCO N ORDINARY SHARES
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE NASPERS M ORDINARY SHARES (WITH
PROCEEDS BEING EQUAL TO THE MARKET VALUE OF THE NEWCO N ORDINARY
SHARES AT THE TIME THAT THE CAPITALISATION ISSUE IS IMPLEMENTED).
FURTHERMORE, PRIOR TO MAKING AN ELECTION, NASPERS N SHAREHOLDERS MUST
HAVE REGARD TO THE ENTIRE PROSPECTUS IN RESPECT OF THE ADMISSIONS BEING
PREPARED IN RESPECT OF NEWCO AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN DUE COURSE ON ITS
WEBSITE AT WWW.NEWGLOBALTECHGROUP.COM AND THE TERMS OF THE NEWCO N SHARES
WHICH ARE STIPULATED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF NEWCO, WHICH WILL
ALSO BE AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE IN DUE COURSE.
NASPERS N SHAREHOLDERS THAT DO NOT ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NASPERS N SHARE
CAPITALISATION ISSUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE CIRCULAR, WILL BE ISSUED
NASPERS M ORDINARY SHARES IN TERMS OF THE NASPERS M SHARE CAPITALISATION ISSUE IN
RESPECT OF ALL (AND NOT SOME OF) THE NASPERS N ORDINARY SHARES HELD BY THEM ON THE
RECORD DATE.
Cape Town
29 May 2019
Sponsor
Investec Bank Limited
South African Legal Adviser (Lead)
Webber Wentzel
South African Legal Adviser
Glyn Marais Inc.
Dutch and U.S. Legal Adviser
Allen & Overy LLP
Financial Advisers
Goldman Sachs International
J.P. Morgan Securities plc
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
Dutch and U.S. Legal Adviser to Financial Advisers
Linklaters LLP
You can call our shareholder helpline, +27 87 015 0273, if you have questions, during normal
business hours, Monday to Friday (except for South African public holidays).
Related Shares:
NPSN.L