NORTHAM PLATINUM LIMITED - Northam increases its holding of Zambezi pref shares to above 80% by acquiring an additional R1.6bn of Zambezi prefs

Northam increases its holding of Zambezi pref shares to above 80% by acquiring an additional R1.6bn of Zambezi prefs

NORTHAM PLATINUM LIMITED
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
(Registration number 1977/003282/06)
Share code: NHM ISIN: ZAE000030912
Debt issuer code: NHMI
Bond code: NHM002   Bond ISIN: ZAG000129024
Bond code: NHM006   Bond ISIN: ZAG000158577
Bond code: NHM007   Bond ISIN: ZAG000158593
Bond code: NHM009   Bond ISIN: ZAG000158866
Bond code: NHM011   Bond ISIN: ZAG000159237
Bond code: NHM012   Bond ISIN: ZAG000160136
Bond code: NHM014   Bond ISIN: ZAG000163650
Bond code: NHM015   Bond ISIN: ZAG000164922
Bond code: NHM016   Bond ISIN: ZAG000167750
Bond code: NHM017   Bond ISIN: ZAG000167891
Bond code: NHM018   Bond ISIN: ZAG000168097
Bond code: NHM019   Bond ISIN: ZAG000168105
Bond code: NHM020   Bond ISIN: ZAG000172594
(“Northam”)

NORTHAM INCREASES ITS HOLDING OF ZAMBEZI PREFERENCE SHARES TO ABOVE 80%
BY ACQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL R1.6 BILLION OF ZAMBEZI PREFERENCE SHARES

1.   INTRODUCTION

     Northam shareholders (“shareholders”) are referred to the announcement dated 15 October 2020
     (“previous announcement”) pertaining to the acquisition by Northam of preference shares in Zambezi
     Platinum (RF) Limited (“Zambezi”), (“Zambezi preference shares”).

     Northam is pleased to announce that, since the date of the previous announcement, it has acquired
     2 830 957 Zambezi preference shares and has agreed to acquire a further 13 829 788 Zambezi preference
     shares from a material shareholder as further detailed in paragraph 3 below, in aggregate amounting to
     16 660 745 Zambezi preference shares and representing a total cash consideration of approximately
     R1.6 billion (“acquisition”). Following implementation of the acquisition, Northam will hold 128 569 993
     Zambezi preference shares, representing approximately 80.4% of all Zambezi preference shares in issue.

2.   RATIONALE FOR THE ACQUISITION

     As stated in the previous announcement, Northam’s acquisition of Zambezi preference shares will reduce
     the preference share dividend expense and liability included in Northam’s consolidated financial
     statements, as well as Northam’s potential financial exposure under the guarantee it provided in favour of
     the holders of Zambezi preference shares (“Guarantee”). Furthermore, should Zambezi redeem the
     Zambezi preference shares through a distribution of ordinary shares in Northam (“Northam shares”) held
     by Zambezi, then the redemption of the Zambezi preference shares held by Northam at such time will
     result in a distribution of Northam shares to Northam, thereby reducing the number of Northam shares in
     issue.

3.   SMALL RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION AND FAIRNESS OPINION

     Northam reached an agreement with the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited (“PIC”) to acquire
     13 829 788 Zambezi preference shares from the PIC by no later than 9 December 2020 at a price of
     R95.37 per Zambezi preference share, for a total cash consideration of approximately R1.3 billion (“related
     party acquisition”).

     The related party acquisition is not subject to any conditions precedent and will be fully funded from
     Northam’s internal cash resources.

     The PIC is a material shareholder of Northam as defined in the JSE Limited Listings Requirements
     (“Listings Requirements”), in that, within the preceding 12 months, it has been able to exercise or control
     the exercise of votes in respect of 10% or more of the Northam shares in issue. Accordingly, the PIC is a
     related party to Northam as contemplated in paragraph 10.1(b)(i) of the Listings Requirements and the
     related party acquisition is categorised as a “small related party transaction” in terms of paragraph 10.7 as
     read with paragraph 10.8 of the Listings Requirements.

     In terms of paragraph 10.7 of the Listings Requirements, the related party acquisition is not subject to
     shareholder approval, provided an independent professional expert confirms that the terms of the related
     party acquisition are fair as far as shareholders are concerned. Northam has appointed BDO Corporate
     Finance Proprietary Limited (“BDO”) as the independent professional expert for purposes of providing an
     opinion in respect of the fairness of the related party acquisition (“fairness opinion”).

     BDO has considered the terms and conditions of the related party acquisition and is of the opinion that the
     related party acquisition is fair to shareholders. A copy of the fairness opinion is available for inspection for
     a period of 28 days from the date of this announcement, at Northam’s registered office being, Building 4,
     1st Floor, Maxwell Office Park, Magwa Crescent West, Waterfall City, Jukskei View.

4.   DETAILS OF THE ZAMBEZI PREFERENCE SHARES

     The Zambezi preference shares are cumulative, non-participating redeemable preference shares which
     accrue dividends at a nominal rate equal to the South African prime interest rate plus 3.5%, calculated on
     a daily basis, based on a 365-day year, compounded annually. The Zambezi preference shares were listed
     on the securities exchange operated by the JSE Limited on 11 May 2015.

     Subject to certain exceptions, the Zambezi preference shares are redeemable on 17 May 2025 and will be
     redeemed, at Zambezi’s election, in cash and / or through the distribution of Northam shares held by
     Zambezi. The redemption of the Zambezi preference shares is secured by the Guarantee and if the
     Guarantee is called upon, Northam will, at its election, settle the associated liability using cash and / or
     through the issue of new Northam shares.

     As reported in the annual financial statements of Northam for the year ended 30 June 2020, the Zambezi
     preference share liability amounted to approximately R8.3 billion and the accumulated preference share
     dividends for the financial year amounted to approximately R1.1 billion. As mentioned above, the
     acquisition by Northam of Zambezi preference shares will further reduce the Zambezi preference share
     liability and accumulated preference share dividends which are recognised in Northam’s consolidated
     financial statements. The accounting policies adopted by Northam in the preparation of its annual financial
     statements are in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards.


Paul Dunne, Northam’s Chief Executive Officer said “Northam is pleased to return a further R1.6 billion of
value to shareholders through the purchase of Zambezi preference shares, increasing Northam’s holding to
approximately 80.4%. Northam acquiring more than 80% ownership of Zambezi preference shares represents a
very significant step in pursuit of the company’s previously stated intention to accelerate the maturity of the
Zambezi Transaction, as announced on 2 November 2020. This strategy continues to positively impact future
earnings and shareholder value creation.”

Johannesburg
8 December 2020

Corporate Advisor, Sponsor and Debt Sponsor to Northam
One Capital

Attorneys to Northam
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.

Independent Professional Expert to Northam
BDO Corporate Finance Proprietary Limited

Date: 08-12-2020 12:05:00
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