Wrap Text
Preliminary audited results for the year ended 31 December 2017
ADvTECH Limited ("ADvTECH" or "the group")
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1990/001119/06
JSE code: ADH ISIN number: ZAE 0000 31035
Income taxation number: 9550/190/71/5
http://www.advtech.co.za
Preliminary audited results for the year ended 31 December 2017
Revenue up 22%
Trading operating profit up 20%
Normalised earnings per share up 20%
Dividend per share for the year 34.0 cents
Summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Percentage Audited Audited
increase/ 31 December 31 December
R'm Notes (decrease) 2017 2016
Revenue 22% 4 086.9 3 353.1
Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) 7% 795.4 740.6
Operating profit before interest 5% 640.1 608.1
Net finance costs paid (99.1) (81.7)
Interest received 3.9 12.6
Finance costs (103.0) (94.3)
Profit before taxation 3% 541.0 526.4
Taxation (161.0) (148.5)
Profit for the year 1% 380.0 377.9
Profit for the year attributable to:
Owners of the parent (1%) 369.3 372.4
Non-controlling interests 10.7 5.5
380.0 377.9
Earnings per share (cents)
Basic (3%) 69.1 70.9
Diluted (3%) 69.0 70.8
Headline earnings 2 369.8 373.5
Headline earnings per share (cents)
Basic (3%) 69.2 71.1
Diluted (3%) 69.1 71.0
Normalised earnings 3 404.8 332.3
Normalised earnings per share (cents)
Basic 20% 75.8 63.3
Diluted 20% 75.6 63.2
Number of shares in issue (million) 544.4 544.4
Number of shares in issue net of treasury shares (million) 535.6 534.0
Weighted average number of shares for purposes of basic earnings per share (million) 534.2 525.2
Weighted average number of shares for purposes of diluted earnings per share (million) 535.2 525.7
Net asset value per share including treasury shares (cents) 8% 529.0 491.8
Net asset value per share net of treasury shares (cents) 7% 537.7 501.4
Free operating cash flow before capex per share (cents) 25% 111.7 89.1
Gross dividends per share (cents) 5% 34.0 32.5
Summarised consolidated statement of other comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Audited Audited
31 December 31 December
R'm 2017 2016
Profit for the year 380.0 377.9
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations (6.4) (6.3)
Total comprehensive income for the year 373.6 371.6
Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:
Owners of the parent 363.6 366.1
Non-controlling interests 10.0 5.5
373.6 371.6
Summarised consolidated statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2017
Audited Audited
31 December 31 December
R'm 2017 2016
Assets
Non-current assets 5 101.5 4 222.7
Property, plant and equipment 3 511.8 2 788.7
Proprietary technology systems 64.1 45.3
Goodwill 1 305.3 1 170.1
Intangible assets 208.3 206.6
Investment 12.0 12.0
Current assets 457.3 422.7
Trade and other receivables 307.1 235.6
Other current assets 40.3 58.9
Bank balances and cash 109.9 128.2
Total assets 5 558.8 4 645.4
Equity and liabilities
Equity 2 880.1 2 677.3
Non-current liabilities 900.6 852.1
Long-term bank loans 751.5 758.0
Deferred taxation liabilities 100.1 94.1
Acquisition liabilities 49.0 -
Current liabilities 1 778.1 1 116.0
Current portion of long-term bank loans 12.2 31.1
Short-term bank loan 750.0 425.0
Trade and other payables 384.5 339.9
Taxation 6.3 8.3
Fees received in advance and deposits 411.8 287.5
Bank overdraft 213.3 24.2
Total liabilities 2 678.7 1 968.1
Total equity and liabilities 5 558.8 4 645.4
Supplementary information
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Audited Audited
31 December 31 December
R'm 2017 2016
Capital expenditure - current year 718.0 361.8
Capital commitments 1 911.0 1 255.3
Authorised by directors and contracted for 357.5 144.3
Authorised by directors and not yet contracted for 1 553.5 1 111.0
Anticipated timing of spend 1 911.0 1 255.3
0 - 2 years 627.3 555.9
3 - 5 years 572.1 202.2
more than 5 years 711.6 497.2
Operating lease commitments in cash - future years 296.2 355.7
Summarised consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Audited Audited
31 December 31 December
R'm 2017 2016
Balance at beginning of the year 2 677.3 2 254.5
Total comprehensive income for the year 373.6 371.6
Dividends declared to shareholders (186.7) (164.7)
Share-based payment expense 6.3 5.8
Share award expense under the management share incentive scheme (MSI) 2.0 -
Shares issued - 190.7
Share issue costs - (1.5)
Shares awarded under the management share incentive scheme (MSI) (4.6) -
Share options exercised 13.1 8.0
Non-controlling interests arising on acquisitions (0.9) 12.9
Balance at end of the year 2 880.1 2 677.3
Summarised consolidated segmental report
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Percentage Audited Audited
increase/ 31 December 31 December
R'm (decrease) 2017 2016
Revenue 22% 4 086.9 3 353.1
Schools 14% 1 866.3 1 643.7
Tertiary 26% 1 580.2 1 252.5
Resourcing 40% 644.3 460.9
Intra group revenue (3.9) (4.0)
Operating profit before interest 5% 640.1 608.1
Schools (13%) 298.9 345.4
- Trading operating profit 3% 330.0 321.0
- Fraud adjustments (31.1) 24.4
Tertiary 44% 321.4 223.3
Resourcing 59% 32.1 20.2
Litigation settlement - 23.5
Litigation costs - (2.3)
Corporate action costs (12.3) (2.0)
Property, plant and equipment and proprietary technology systems 26% 3 575.9 2 834.0
Schools 24% 2 727.3 2 193.6
Tertiary 33% 841.0 632.8
Resourcing 0% 7.6 7.6
Summarised consolidated statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Restated#
Audited Audited
Percentage 31 December 31 December
R'm Note increase 2017 2016
Cash generated from operations 4 10% 811.1 737.9
Movement in working capital 48.2 (40.4)
Cash generated by operating activities 23% 859.3 697.5
Net finance costs paid (99.1) (81.7)
Taxation paid (174.6) (160.0)
Dividends paid (186.1) (164.5)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 399.5 291.3
Net cash outflow from investing activities* (919.2) (441.0)
Additions to property, plant and equipment (688.8) (361.1)
Additions to proprietary technology systems (29.2) (0.7)
Business combinations cash flows (215.6) (81.4)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 14.4 2.2
Net cash inflow from financing activities* 312.7 78.2
Shares issued - 189.2
Decrease in long-term bank loans (6.5) (43.1)
Increase/(decrease) in short-term bank loan 306.1 (75.9)
Cash movement in shares held by Share Incentive Trust 13.1 8.0
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (207.0) (71.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 104.0 176.2
Net foreign exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents (0.4) (0.7)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year (103.4) 104.0
* The financing and investing activities disclosure has been expanded in the current year. Comparative information has also been updated.
# The restatement of the comparative information is a result of reclassifying the vendor claims reversal of R11.0 million from financing activities into operating activities.
Free operating cash flow before capex per share
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Restated#
Percentage 31 December 31 December
R'm increase 2017 2016
Profit for the year 380.0 377.9
Adjusted for non-cash IFRS and lease adjustments (after taxation) 12.9 6.5
Net operating profit after taxation - adjusted for non-cash IFRS and lease adjustments 392.9 384.4
Depreciation and amortisation 155.3 132.5
Vendor claims reversal (after taxation) - (9.5)
Other non-cash flow items (after taxation) 0.5 1.1
Operating cash flow after taxation 8% 548.7 508.5
Movement in working capital 48.2 (40.4)
Free operating cash flow before capex 28% 596.9 468.1
Weighted average number of shares for purposes of basic earnings per share (million) 534.2 525.2
Free operating cash flow before capex per share (cents) 25% 111.7 89.1
# The restatement of the comparative information is a result of reclassifying the vendor claims reversal from financing activities into operating activities.
Notes to the summarised consolidated financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2017
1. Statement of compliance
The summarised consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements for preliminary
reports, and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa applicable to summarised financial statements. The Listings Requirements require preliminary
reports to be prepared in accordance with the framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS), the SAICA Financial Reporting Guides as issued by the Accounting Practices Committee and Financial Pronouncements as issued by the Financial
Reporting Standards Council, and to also, as a minimum, contain the information required by IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. The accounting policies applied in
the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, from which the summarised consolidated financial statements were derived, are in terms of IFRS and are
consistent with the accounting policies applied in the preparation of the previous consolidated financial statements.
The preparation of the group's summarised consolidated financial statements and the full consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017
was supervised by Didier Oesch CA(SA), the group's financial director.
Financial instruments
The fair values of the financial assets and financial liabilities approimates its carrying amount.
Post-balance sheet events
The directors are not aware of any matter or circumstance occurring between the date of the statement of financial position and the date of this report that
materially affects the results of the group for the year ended 31 December 2017 or the financial position at that date.
Independent auditor's opinion
These summarised consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, who expressed an unmodified
opinion thereon (the auditor also expressed an unmodified opinion on the annual financial statements from which these summarised consolidated financial
statements were derived). A copy of the auditor's report on the summarised consolidated financial statements and of the auditor's report on the consolidated
financial statements are available for inspection at the company's registered office, together with the financial statements identified in the respective auditor's reports.
The auditor's report does not necessarily cover all the information contained in this announcement. Shareholders are therefore advised that in order to obtain a full
understanding of the nature of the auditor's work, they should obtain a copy of their report together with the accompanying financial information from the
company's registered office.
Any reference to future financial performance included in this announcement, has not been reviewed or reported on by the company's auditors.
Audited Audited
31 December 31 December
R'm 2017 2016
2. Determination of headline earnings
Profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent 369.3 372.4
Items excluded from headline earnings per share 0.5 1.1
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment 0.7 1.5
Taxation effects of adjustments (0.2) (0.4)
Headline earnings 369.8 373.5
3. Determination of normalised earnings
Headline earnings 369.8 373.5
Items excluded from normalised earnings per share 35.0 (41.2)
Litigation costs - 2.3
Corporate action costs 12.3 2.0
Fraud adjustments
- Adjustments relating to 2016* 24.4 (24.4)
- Adjustments relating to 2015* 6.7 -
Litigation settlement
- Settlement received - (18.0)
- Reversal of provision for counterclaim - (5.5)
- Reversal of interest on provision for counterclaim - (5.5)
Taxation effects of adjustments (8.4) 7.9
Normalised earnings 404.8 332.3
4. Notes to the summarised statement of cash flows
Reconciliation of profit before taxation to cash generated from operations
Profit before taxation 541.0 526.4
Adjusted for non-cash IFRS and other adjustments (before taxation) 15.0 6.8
556.0 533.2
Adjust: 255.1 204.7
Depreciation and amortisation 155.3 132.5
Net finance costs paid 99.1 81.7
Vendor claims reversal - (11.0)
Other non-cash flow items 0.7 1.5
Cash generated from operations 811.1 737.9
* The reported fraud amounting to R48.1 million which was perpetrated over a three year period, was accounted for in the current financial year. Normalised earnings has
been adjusted by re-allocating the impact of this occurrence to the accounting periods to which it relates. The 2016 normalised profit has been adjusted downwards
to account for the overstatement that resulted in that year. The 2017 normalised profit has been adjusted upwards to remove the effects relating to the 2015 and
2016 periods, and therefore only reflects the effect of the fraud that relates to the 2017 financial year.
Audited
31 December
R'm 2017
5. Business combinations(1)
5.1 University of Africa group
A 51% interest in the University of Africa group operating in Zambia was acquired on 1 January 2017 for a consideration of R5.0 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 0.7
Goodwill 5.7
Property, plant and equipment 0.4
Other non-current assets 0.3
Current assets 2.1
Cash and cash equivalents 7.0
Non-current liabilities (0.2)
Current liabilities (11.7)
Non-controlling interest(3) 0.7
5.0
Revenue of R18.3 million and profit after taxation of R0.7 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our tertiary division in line with our expansion strategy and provides access to an additional African market.
R'm
5.2 Glenwood House
The assets and liabilities of Glenwood House were acquired on 1 January 2017 for a consideration of R109.7 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 7.2
Goodwill 35.3
Property, plant and equipment 70.6
Non-current liabilities (3.4)
109.7
Revenue of R36.5 million and profit after taxation of R6.9 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our Trinityhouse brand and provides expansion opportunities.
5.3 Oxbridge Training Institute (Rebranded as Credo Business College)(2)
The remaining 49% of the share capital of Credo Business College (Pty) Ltd was acquired on 1 July 2017 for a consideration of R2.0 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Goodwill 1.5
Non-controlling interest(3) 0.5
2.0
5.4 The Private Hotel School(2)
An 80% interest in The Private Hotel School Proprietary Limited was acquired on 1 July 2017 for a consideration of R5.6 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 0.4
Goodwill 4.3
Property, plant and equipment 0.2
Other non-current assets 0.1
Current assets(4) 1.6
Cash and cash equivalents 2.0
Non-current liabilities (0.1)
Current liabilities (2.6)
Non-controlling interest(3) (0.3)
5.6
Revenue of R3.0 million and a loss after taxation of R0.4 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Revenue of R5.0 million and a profit after taxation of R0.3 million would have been included in the summarised consolidated statement of
profit or loss if the acquisition was done at the beginning of the annual reporting period.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our tertiary division and provides expansion opportunities.
5.5 Summit College(2)
The assets and liabilities of Summit College were acquired on 1 July 2017 for a consideration of R104.7 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 1.7
Goodwill 46.9
Property, plant and equipment 74.0
Current assets(4) 3.5
Cash and cash equivalents 5.9
Non-current liabilities (6.3)
Current liabilities (21.0)
104.7
Revenue of R21.1 million and loss after taxation of R0.3 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Revenue of R41.3 million and loss after taxation of R2.8 million would have been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit
or loss if the acquisition was done at the beginning of the annual reporting period.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our schools division and provides expansion opportunities.
5.6 Elkanah House(2)
The operational assets and liabilities of Elkanah House were acquired on 1 August 2017 for a consideration of R29.0 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 8.7
Goodwill 41.8
Property, plant and equipment 4.0
Current assets 15.2
Cash and cash equivalents 6.0
Non-current liabilities (2.4)
Current liabilities (44.3)
29.0
Revenue of R39.6 million and profit after taxation of R1.0 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Revenue of R97.5 million and profit after taxation of R3.7 million would have been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit
or loss if the acquisition was done at the beginning of the annual reporting period.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our Trinityhouse brand and provides expansion opportunities.
5.7 Greenwood Bay College(2)
The assets and liabilities of Greenwood Bay College were acquired on 1 September 2017 for a consideration of R30.0 million.
Fair value assets and liabilities acquired
Intangible assets 2.0
Goodwill 1.6
Property, plant and equipment 29.3
Current assets(4) 1.0
Non-current liabilities (1.6)
Current liabilities (2.3)
30.0
Revenue of R4.0 million and profit after taxation of R0.4 million has been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss.
Revenue of R12.4 million and profit after taxation of R2.2 million would have been included in the summarised consolidated statement of profit
or loss if the acquisition was done at the beginning of the annual reporting period.
This acquisition was made as an addition to our schools division and provides expansion opportunities.
1 The consideration paid for the business combinations includes amounts which has been recognised as goodwill in relation to the benefit of expected synergies and
expansion opportunities.
2 The accounting for these business combinations are still within the measurement period.
3 Measured at proportionate share of net asset value.
4 Included in current assets are trade receivables with a fair value of R5.1 million. This equals the gross amount of contractual amounts receivable. There were no
contractual cash flows at acquisition date that are not expected to be collected.
Commentary
Overview
The directors are pleased to announce good operational results for the year ending 31 December 2017 with the business continuing its trend of strong performance in
line with the growth strategy. Both the tertiary and resourcing divisions performed exceptionally well, as evidenced by significant increases in revenue and operating
profit, whilst the schools division results were somewhat muted. The benefit of the group's diversified portfolio is reflected in its strength and resilience as evidenced by
the 22% revenue increase to R4.1 billion (2016: R3.4 billion) and trading operating profit by 20% to R671 million (2016: R560 million). Trading operating margins, however,
narrowed marginally from 16.8% to 16.4% due to the decrease in school division's margins as they brought new capacity into use that has not yet been filled, partially
offset by an improvement in the tertiary division margins.
As previously stated, the restructuring of the finance and administrative functions in the schools division led to the uncovering of incidents of fraud amounting to R48.1
million, perpetrated by a financial manager in the division over a three year period starting in 2015. These activities resulted in an overstatement of revenue, an
understatement of costs and the theft of cash. The cash component amounts to R5.0 million. In aggregate, the misstatements and cash loss amount to R48.1 million
resulting in a R35.5 million after taxation impact on the reported figures for the period as reflected below:
12 months to 12 months to 6 months to 6 months to
31 December 31 December 30 June 31 December
2015 2016 2017 2017 Total amount
R'm R'm R'm R'm R'm
Revenue overstated - (9.3) (5.1) (2.5) (16.9)
Expenses understated (including the cash loss of R5.0 million) (6.7) (15.1) (2.9) (6.5) (31.2)
Operating profit overstated (6.7) (24.4) (8.0) (9.0) (48.1)
Taxation effect 1.9 6.6 2.0 2.1 12.6
Profit after taxation effect (4.8) (17.8) (6.0) (6.9) (35.5)
The correction of the fraud for the preceding two years as well as the current year has been accounted for in the 2017 financial results.
The summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss presented below reflects the trading results by removing the effect of the fraud relating to 2015 and 2016 from
the 2017 financial year. The 2016 trading profit has been adjusted downwards to account for the overstatement caused by the fraud relating to that year and by
excluding the benefit of the settlement of the long standing litigation matter.
Summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss from trading activities
for the year ended 31 December 2017
Percentage 31 December 31 December
R'm increase 2017 2016
Revenue 23% 4 096.2 3 343.8
Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) 19% 826.5 692.7
Operating profit before interest 20% 671.2 560.2
Net finance costs paid (99.1) (87.2)
Interest received 3.9 12.6
Finance costs (103.0) (99.8)
Profit before taxation 21% 572.1 473.0
Taxation (169.5) (140.4)
Profit for the year 21% 402.6 332.6
The higher average net borrowings, due to the acceleration in capital expenditure in the year, resulted in net finance costs increasing. Trading profit for the year increased
by 21% while, due to a marginal increase in the weighted average number of shares in issue, the normalised earnings per share increased by 20% to 75.8 cents (2016: 63.3
cents).
Cash generated by operating activities increased by 23% to R859 million. Together with financing inflows of R313 million, this has enabled the investments and capex of
R919 million and payment of financing costs of R99 million taxation of R175 million and dividends of R186 million. The debtors' book continues to be well managed and
the increase in trade and other receivables was primarily as a result of deposits on capital projects and VAT refunds due, which have been received subsequent to year-
end.
The table below illustrates the enrolment growth in the last three years, and highlights the continued growth in 2018.
February February February February
Enrolments 2015 2016 2017 % increase 2018 % increase
Schools* 22 877 24 199 26 713 10% 27 408 3%
Tertiary full qualifications 24 332 29 138 33 463 15% 36 136 8%
Total 47 209 53 337 60 176 13% 63 544 6%
28 931
Other tertiary**
Total enrolment numbers 92 475
* The 2017 school enrolment numbers include Elkanah House acquisition.
** Oxbridge Academy and the University of Africa have a continual enrolment cycle throughout the year. Enrolments as at 31 December 2017.
ADvTECH operates 117 education sites (2016: 98) including 89 schools (2016: 78) and 28 tertiary campuses (2016: 20).
Business operational efficiencies
The significant growth has presented an opportunity to streamline our internal processes. In time, we are confident that these initiatives will drive higher efficiencies
within the group. In this regard new systems are being implemented which will improve our capability of delivering on the strategic imperative of academic excellence
and customer service. A new student information system is being introduced into the schools division which will greatly enhance our current student management and
communication capability. Ultimately the system will be adopted by the tertiary division and we will have the advantage of a standardised, unitary student-centred
platform allowing for efficient processing, reporting and learning analytics. Overall the system will enable the management of student data from prospect to post
graduation and all steps in between and in the process improve the quality of service to stakeholders.
In addition, the restructuring of the schools division, which commenced in 2017, is aimed at enhancing operating efficiencies to better align the division to deliver on its
growth strategy. Further operational initiatives are in progress across the group while the shared services project is showing good progress with support functions driving
efficiencies, effectiveness and improved controls.
Schools division
While for several years the schools division has been the top performer within the group, 2017 saw muted organic growth in student numbers. Enrolments at some of our
premium brands were particularly impacted due to financial pressures on some families and the effects of emigration and "semigration". The division's financial results
were further weighed by the disappointing effects of the fraud. However, we remain confident that our strategy is appropriate and, together with the plans in place, the
division is expecting improved performance.
Revenue increased by 14% to R1 866 million, representing 46% of group revenue, while operating profit declined by 13% to R299 million. Adjusted for the fraud the
operating profit showed a 3% increase from R321 million to R330 million.
Our Independent Examination Board (IEB) students achieved a 100% matric pass rate and averaged 2 distinctions per student. Our NSC matric students achieved a 98%
pass rate compared to the national pass rate of 75% and averaged 1 distinction per student. Overall, 1 754 Matric candidates achieved 2 866 distinctions with a 99% pass
rate and 98% of our students qualified for entrance into higher education institutions.
The division's first two mid-fee greenfield developments, Founders Hill College (2016) and Copperleaf College (2017), have shown strong growth. Founders Hill, now in its
third year of operation, has more than 760 enrolled students while Copperleaf College is also ahead of expectations. These successes have led to a deliberate strategy to
increase our pipeline of projects in this sector with the Maragon Mooikloof High and Copperleaf High coming on stream in 2018 while several suitable properties have
been secured for an accelerated rollout in this market sector over the next few years.
Our footprint in the Western Cape has increased considerably following the acquisitions of Elkanah House, Greenwood Bay College and Glenwood House, which added
approximately 2 500 students to the division.
The Bridge Assisted Learning School, which opened in January 2018, addresses a gap in the market by offering specialised education for students from Grade 0 - 7 who
have a range of academic challenges that require specific learning intervention.
Tertiary division
The tertiary division continued its trend of excellent growth benefitting from both organic growth and acquisitions. Revenue increased by 26% to R1 580 million,
contributing 39% of group revenue. The operating margin increased from 18% to 20% on the back of operational leverage from strong volume growth, resulting in
operating profit increasing by 44% to R321 million.
The tertiary division now offers 165 accredited tertiary courses, with a diverse range of offerings including vocational training, higher certificates, degrees, honours
degrees, masters degrees and PHD programmes.
ADvTECH's market differentiator, The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE), through its central academic team drive our commitment to academic excellence and
focus on ensuring that our qualifications remain current and relevant and that the content and assessments bridge the curriculum and the constantly evolving world of
work. The IIE is the largest and most comprehensive investment in curricular development and academic leadership of any private higher education provider in South
Africa.
The Rosebank College digitally enabled campus pilot in Polokwane has proven the success of the blended learning model and outstanding academic results have been
achieved in line with our commitment and promise of academic excellence. This model has provided an excellent example of the use of technology-enabled education
and creates expansion opportunities in provincial nodes, with 2018 seeing the opening of two new digitally enabled campuses in Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein.
In line with our strategy to explore new markets to increase our presence in fast growing sectors, a majority stake was acquired in the highly acclaimed and industry
respected The Private Hotel School. Combined with the earlier acquisition of Capsicum Culinary Studio, we have increased our presence in the fast-growing hotel,
hospitality and culinary sector and now have a secure foundation on which to base future plans and expansions in this sector. A new hospitality campus was opened in
2018 in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Resourcing division
The resourcing division's outstanding performance is mainly due to the success of the strategy to enter alternative markets outside of South Africa, where we have
experienced significant growth. While in South Africa the tough market conditions continue to persist, we have grown our share of a declining market placing 3 755 job
candidates (2016: 3 493). Revenue increased by 40% to R644 million, while operating profit increased by 59% to R32 million. The division continues to be highly
cash-generative.
Expansion in the rest of Africa
With 11% of revenue in 2017 being generated outside of South Africa, we are well on track to meet our 2020 target of 30%. An exciting development is the anticipated
opening in September 2018 of the first Crawford International School in Nairobi, Kenya, our first greenfield development outside South Africa. This adds to our other
investments which includes Gaborone International School in Botswana and the University of Africa in Zambia. In the resourcing division, Africa HR Solutions continues to
grow strongly as it services operations across Africa.
Declaration of final dividend no 17
In considering the dividend, the board has decided to increase the dividend cover further in order to balance the need to preserve cash to fund the investment pipeline
while also rewarding shareholders based on the current performance.
The board is pleased to announce the declaration of a final gross dividend of 19.0 cents (2016: 19.0 cents) per ordinary share in respect of the year ended 31 December
2017. This brings the full year dividend to 34.0 cents (2016: 32.5 cents) per share.
This is a dividend as defined in the Income Tax Act, 1962, and is payable from income reserves. The South African dividend taxation (DT) rate is 20%. The net amount per
share payable to shareholders who are not exempt from DT is 15.2 cents per share, while it is 19.0 cents per share to those shareholders who are exempt from DT.
There are 544.4 million ordinary shares in issue; the total dividend amount payable is R103.4 million.
The salient dates applicable to the dividend referred to above are as follows:
2018
Declaration of dividend Friday, 16 March
Last day to trade in order to participate in the dividend Tuesday, 10 April
Trading commences ex-dividend Wednesday, 11 April
Record date Friday, 13 April
Payment date Monday, 16 April
Share certificates may not be dematerialised and rematerialised between Wednesday, 11 April 2018 and Friday, 13 April 2018, both days inclusive.
Prospects
We continue to see numerous opportunities, both in South Africa and the rest of the continent, and the group remains in a strong position to pursue its ambitious yet
considered organic and acquisitive growth strategy.
Our tertiary and resourcing divisions continue to perform well while significant change is being implemented at the schools division to sharpen market focus and drive
operational efficiencies to enable the division to return to a high level of performance.
New market segments and new product offerings are continuously being explored, while in our core markets we expect organic and greenfield growth to continue
despite increased competition and challenging economic conditions. These factors, we believe, will further enhance our business performance.
On behalf of the board
Chris Boulle Roy Douglas Didier Oesch
Chairman Chief executive officer Group financial director
19 March 2018
Directors: CH Boulle* (Chairman), RJ Douglas (CEO), JDR Oesch (Financial), JS Chimhanzi*, BM Gourley*, JM Hofmeyr*, JD Jansen*, SC Masie*, KDM Warburton*, SA Zinn*
*Non-executive
Group company secretary: DM Dickson
Registered office: ADvTECH House, Inanda Greens, 54 Wierda Road West, Wierda Valley, Sandton 2196.
Transfer secretaries: Link Market Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Rennie House, 19 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein 2017.
Sponsor and corporate advisors: Bridge Capital Advisors (Pty) Ltd, 50 Smits Road, Dunkeld, Randburg, 2196.
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