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Netcare - Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Initiative And Withdrawal Of

Release Date: 01/07/2005 07:15
Code(s): NTC
Wrap Text

Netcare - Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Initiative And Withdrawal Of Cautionary Announcement NETWORK HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1996/008242/06) Share code: NTC ISIN: ZAE000011953 ("Netcare" or the "Group") "HEALTH PARTNERS FOR LIFE" BROAD-BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE AND WITHDRAWAL OF CAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENT 1. THE HEALTH PARTNERS FOR LIFE TRANSACTION (THE "TRANSACTION") Shareholders are referred to Netcare"s announcement on 21 April 2005 regarding its Health Partners for Life ("HPFL") initiative, a strategy to effect broad- based black economic participation and transformation within the Netcare Group. On implementation of the equity ownership component of the Health Partners for Life transaction, a broad grouping of predominantly Historically Disadvantaged Individuals ("HDI"s") will acquire 160 million Netcare shares ("the HPFL Shares") equal to approximately 10% of the equity in Netcare, an acquisition valued at almost R1 billion. On implementation of the HPFL initiative approximately 27% of Netcare"s shares will, either directly or indirectly, be controlled by HDI and broad-based BEE and community institutions, including the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). The HPFL initiative is another Netcare undertaking to transform healthcare by mobilising the potential of all South Africans and ensuring better care to more people. This also reflects the Group"s ongoing commitment to provide the best quality of accessible and affordable healthcare through a world-class infrastructure of medical facilities, professionals and technology. This announcement provides further details of the transaction, which will be contained in a circular to Netcare shareholders for approval at a general meeting scheduled for 16 September 2005. If approved, the transaction will take effect on 1 October 2005. 2. THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE TRANSACTION Netcare"s strategic visions and values have been the basis of the Trust categorisations and the selection of participants in the HPFL transaction. The nature of the Trusts and participants are: % Approximate Name of Trust Beneficiaries of HPFL value shares R"m The Patient Care Trust Nurses and Care Givers 37,5 375 The Passionate Netcare management 20,0 200 People Trust and staff The Physician Partnerships Doctors 30,0 300 Trust The Mother Children and Women 7,5 75 & Child Trust The Healthy Sport and Wellness 5,0 50 Lifestyle Trust groups 2.1 The Mother & Child Trust ' Our Children/Our Future This Trust will be allocated 7,5% of the HPFL Shares with an approximate acquisition value of R75 million. It is intended that this will provide healthcare assistance to more than 10 000 woman and children beneficiaries, through selected Woman"s Groups and Children"s organisations, including, but not limited to the National African Women"s Alliance ("NAWA"). Established early in 2003, NAWA is representative of black women throughout the country, being 100% owned, controlled and managed by previously disadvantaged women from various professions, businesses and industries. NAWA"s emphasis on empowerment, development and the creation of better opportunities is centred on those who want it, need it and are willing to use it. The NAWA structure is unique and fulfils requirements and needs with regard to, * Government"s BEE initiatives; * Gender inequality issues; * Broad-based empowerment; and * Skills development and transfer. NAWA highlights the social reality and potential value that women contribute to the national task of change and transformation, economic growth and the extension of democracy in South Africa. NAWA"s composition and structure has established it as a unique force in achieving the country"s BEE objectives through, inter alia, the following: Broad-based: * Direct shareholding in NAWA consists of about 900 to 1 000 women with 4 500 indirect beneficiaries who are dependents of the shareholders. A further estimated 6 000 women will benefit from NAWA via the provincial Trusts. * Representation of all nine provinces of South Africa via NAWA"s provincial structures. Involvement in community and social upliftment projects: * The structure of NAWA in itself represents social and community upliftment, especially through the provincial structures. * Furthermore, the Development and Empowerment Trusts in the provinces will be used as vehicles to facilitate healthcare, growth and development of women in rural and underdeveloped communities. Mother and Child Health Services It is intended that the Trustees will apply portion of its distributions to contribute to, inter alia, the reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates, focusing on cervical and breast cancer screening for woman, antenatal care, nutrition affecting maternal health and child health through wellness baby clinics and programmes dealing with gastro-enteritis and congenital heart diseases. They will also focus on emerging and re-emerging diseases affecting rural Black communities by increasing access to health education, health promotion and primary care. 2.2 The Healthy Lifestyle Trust ' Our Body ' Sport and Wellness With an allocation of 5% of the HPFL Shares at an approximate acquisition value of R50 million, the mandate of the Trustees will be to promote a healthy lifestyle through wellness programmes and selected national screening initiatives. The Healthy Lifestyle Trust will make distributions to national sporting bodies to promote sport in rural and underserved areas, focusing on development and growth to 2010 and beyond. Through the media and other projects, this Trust will also promote healthy lifestyle choices such as physical exercise, weight loss and proper nutrition. 2.3 The Patient Care Trust # Our Hearts # Nurses and Care Givers Through this Trust an allocation of 37,5% of the HPFL Shares with a value of approximately R375 million will benefit over 8 700 Nurses, Paramedics and other care givers, who are key contributors to the implementation of Netcare"s philosophy of "Best and Safest Patient Care" and will be used to recognise, attract and retain quality care givers. 2.4 The Passionate People Trust # Our Excellence # Our Management and Staff Supporting the Group"s strategies of "Growing with Passionate People" and "Operational Excellence", this Trust"s 20% allocation of the HPFL Shares (valued at approximately R200 million) will benefit more than 9 200 members of management and staff of Netcare. Staff who are HDI"s will be favoured in the allocation of benefits, but all staff, regardless of race, colour or creed will benefit in recognition of their involvement in the Netcare family and contribution to the health of our society. 2.5 The Physician Partnership Trust # Our Skills # Doctors This Trust will allocate its 30% of the HPFL Shares (valued at approximately R300 million) to healthcare professionals and educational bodies in recognition of their contribution to healthcare in this country. These beneficiaries are predominantly HDI"s associated with Netcare, Netpartner, the public and private sectors, medical schools, academic institutions and shall also include Registrars, medical students and doctors working in rural areas where the need for quality medical treatment is more urgent. The participation of educational bodies is intended to help ensure that future South African medical graduates continue to rank amongst the best in the world. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries of this Trust will exceed 21 000 professionals. In aggregate, the HPFL initiative is expected to reach more than 45 000 beneficiaries. 3. TRUSTEES The following people have accepted appointment as Trustees of one or more of the Trusts: # Ms D Hlatswayo # Ms Hlatswayo matriculated from Mariannhill College, Durban. She attained a Bachelor of Management from The Institute of Executive Education and an MBA/MBL from UNISA, majoring in Corporate Finance. She was the Chairperson of the Centre for Public Service Innovation, a member of the Board of the Transnet Foundation, a member of the Board of the National Peace Accord, a member of the Board of DTI Investments Committee and a member of The Institute of Directors. Ms Hlatswayo belongs to a number of professional associations. She recently began a new business after being a director of corporate finance and advisory at Andisa Capital # Advisory group. # Prof B Kistnasamy # Prof Kistnasamy is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Community Health Specialist. He holds an MBChB degree from the University of Natal. He worked as the Head of the Northern Cape Health Department before joining the Nelson Mandela Medical School as the Dean focusing on health services. He is presently non-executive chairman of Netpartner and a non-executive director of Netcare. # Dr V L Litlhakanyane # Dr Litlhakanyane holds an MBChB degree from the University of Natal, MMed and MBA degrees from the University of the Free State and a post-graduate diploma in health Management from the University of Cape Town. He has more than 10 years" health management experience and is presently an executive director of Netcare. # Mr L Mazwai # Mr Mazwai holds BA and LLB degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is admitted as an Attorney. He serves on the Audit Committee of the office of the Presidency, non-executive director of the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa and is a member of the ad hoc legal sub-committee of the Gauteng Provincial Government Labour Intensive Monitoring Committee. He has extensive experience in advising public and private sector clients on corporate and commercial legal issues. # Dr B Nyembezi # Dr Nyembezi holds a BSc degree from the University of Fort Hare, MBBch degree from the National University of Ireland and a post-graduate diploma in Health Management (with distinction) from the University of Cape Town. She was named the Oliver Tambo Fellow in Public Health Leadership in 1996. She is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner and worked as a doctor in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Dr Nyembezi has extensive experience in public health management and is passionate about public service delivery and presently serves as a non-executive director on a number of boards of private companies. She presently manages her own private consultancy. # Ms T B Ntjantja Ned # Ms Ned holds a BA Social Work honours degree from the University of Fort Hare, master"s degree in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati, USA, post-graduate diploma in Policy and Development Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and a post-graduate diploma Advanced Executive Programme from Unisa School of Business Leadership. She has extensive experience in Social work and social development in the public, private and NGO sectors up to senior management level. Ms Ned was the Head of the Free State Department of Social Development, Deputy Director General of the National Department of Social Development, a programme officer for social policy and local governance for UNICEF and a director for programmes with the Nelson Mandela Children"s Fund. She is presently self-employed as a consultant in rural development, social development and rights of children. She sits on a number of boards of NGOs. # Dr J Phaahla # Dr Phaahla was the first head of the South African Sports Commission and was instrumental in the establishment of the new South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee which is the national mother body of South African sport. He was previously MEC for Health and Welfare in the province of Limpopo and holds an MBChB degree from the University of Natal. #Ms L Sangion # Ms Sangion is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of NAWA. She holds a BA degree in communication and a Diploma in Public Relations. She serves as a director of a number of BEE companies. #Ms T Sibisi # Ms Sibisi is presently the Head of Transformation & Talent Management at Netcare. She was previously a senior Human Resources Consultant for IBM and holds an Honours Degree in Social Sciences, majoring in psychology from the North West University and a Business Management Diploma from Henley Management College in London. She has extensive experience in the Human Resources field, both locally and internationally. 4. THE STRUCTURE OF THE TRANSACTION 4.1 The transaction has been structured to give effect to the following principles: 4.1.1 Broad-based black economic empowerment which maximises the Group"s transformation goals in particular and is aligned with the expected content of the imminent Healthcare Charter and of the recently revised Codes of Good Practice on Broad-
based Black Economic Empowerment released by the Department of Trade and Industry. 4.1.2 From the outset the Trusts on behalf of their beneficiaries will enjoy the full economic value and voting rights in
respect of the Netcare shares held by them. 4.1.3 A cost to shareholders in the form of dilution which is in the range considered acceptable for transactions of this nature. Netcare believes these costs will be convincingly
outweighed by the commercial benefits and growth to be derived by the Group from the transaction in the medium to long term. 4.1.4 The inclusion of participants who will contribute to the growth of Netcare, through transformation of and recognition of the dedication and contribution to healthcare made by its doctors, nurses and staff. 4.1.5 Economic sustainability, so that the transaction is enduring irrespective of conditions such as the performance of equity markets or fluctuations in interest rates. 4.1.6 A flexible structure that allows for the award of benefits proportionately to value-contribution.
4.2 Netcare has founded the HPFL Trusts as the vehicles through which participation in the transaction will be effected. The Trusts will be financed at market-related funding rates. The funding is structured in the form of preference shares to be acquired by the Group and, in respect of R100 million, by third party financiers. The funding will enable the Trusts to acquire Netcare shares at an appropriate volume weighted average traded price of Netcare shares preceding the effective date and will be settled over time out of the receipt of dividends or other payments by Netcare to shareholders, so that ultimately the Trusts will own Netcare shares free of funding obligations. In the meantime, each of the Trusts will have full power to vote and will benefit from the increasing value of the Netcare shares held. 4.3 In each case the economic benefits accruing to the Trusts will be deployed by the Trustees for the beneficiaries of each Trust in the manner required and in accordance with the objectives set out in the applicable Trust Deed. 4.4 The beneficiaries of the Patient Care Trust, the Passionate People Trust and the Physician Partnerships Trust will become entitled to access the benefits of Netcare shares in tranches of 20% each per annum over five years starting on the fifth anniversary of the commencement of their participation. Beneficiaries will have to continue to meet selected criteria to qualify for benefits when the entitlement dates arrive. 4.5 The acquisition of Netcare shares by the Trusts will be through issues of 107 344 454 shares for cash and a sale of the issued shares of one of the wholly-owned Netcare subsidiaries that holds 52 655 546 of the Group"s treasury shares, for which shareholder approval will be specifically sought. 5. THE COST TO SHAREHOLDERS OF THE GROUP The cost to existing Netcare shareholders of the transaction over the expected term of the funding structure is estimated to be equal to 3,2% of the market capitalisation of the Group based on the closing Netcare share price on 29 June 2005. This cost is within the range considered acceptable for this kind of transaction. Deloitte has confirmed the reasonableness of the methodology used to calculate the cost to existing shareholders. Netcare believes the cost will be convincingly outweighed by the commercial and strategic benefits and growth to be derived by the Group from this transaction as well as its related strategies and transformation objectives in the medium to long term. 6. SALIENT DATES AND TIMES 2005 Issue and posting of circular on 25 August Last day to lodge forms of proxy for the general meeting by 10:00 on 14 September General meeting to be held at 10:00 on 16 September Announcement of results of general meeting on the Securities Exchange News Service on 16 September Publication of announcement of results of general meeting in the press on 19 September Effective date of the Health Partners for Life Transaction and listing of new shares in Netcare on 1 October Note: These dates and times may be changed at the instance of Netcare. Any changes will be published in the press and on SENS. 7. FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING EFFECTS The transaction would not have had a material effect on earnings per share, headline earnings per share, net asset value per share or net tangible asset value per share for the six-month period to 31 March 2005, being the most recent financial period on which Netcare has published financial results. Upon adopting International Financial Reporting Standard 2 # Share-Based Payments ("IFRS 2"), which is compulsory and will be introduced for the year ending 30 September 2006, the shares issued by Netcare to the Patient Care Trust and the Passionate People Trust will be valued at the date that benefits are granted to employees and this value will be expensed in the Group"s income statement over the qualification period for the benefits. Netcare estimates that the impact of the transaction upon the adoption of IFRS 2 on headline earnings will not be significant given the vesting features and nature of the HPFL transaction. The application of IFRS 2 to BEE transactions is subject to ongoing debate, both in South Africa and internationally. The outcome of these discussions may have an impact on the accounting treatment described above and, if material, further announcements will be made. 8. OTHER TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES In regard to the following areas where the Group has made meaningful progress in line with the targets set out by the Board of Directors and Transformation Committee, a further announcement will be made in the weeks ahead: * Control * Enterprise development * Skills development * Employment equity * Equity of access ' better care to more people * Procurement * Corporate and social investment * HIV and AIDS 9. WITHDRAWAL OF CAUTIONARY Having regard to the content of this announcement, Netcare withdraws its previous advice to shareholders dated 21 April 2005 and 7 June 2005 to exercise caution when dealing in Netcare shares. Sandton 1 July 2005 CORPORATE ADVISOR AND LEGAL ADVISOR JavaCapital SPONSOR Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd Registration number 1995/001805/07 Registered Sponsor and Member of the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa ATTORNEYS H R LEVIN Attorneys, Notaries and Conveyancers REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS PKF Accountants and business advisers Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants (SA) Accountants, Auditors and Business Advisers INDEPENDENT ADVISOR Deloitte Date: 01/07/2005 07:15:16 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department

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