M&A Roundup: Sibanye-Stillwater and Vodacom Ghana making acquisitions

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Prosus continues to pursue fast-food industry and RDI Reit exits UK due to Brexit impact.

Sibanye-Stillwater has acquired a majority shareholding in DRDGold, in a deal the company described as creating an industry-leading surface mining partnership.

The company increased its shareholding in DRDGold from 38.05 percent to 50.1 percent, and the option was exercised on 8 January 2020, following approval by DRDGold shareholders in March 2018.

“By securing the majority holding in DRDGold, a leading surface mining and processing company, we continue to create value for all stakeholders in line with our vision,” said Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman (pictured). 

Read more: Sibanye swoops on DRDGold, lifts stake in the company 

Vodacom is in talks with Cell C about taking on the smaller rival’s contract-paying cellphone customers, a move that would strengthen its position as SA’s telecom market leader. Vodacom would gain just more than one-million high-paying subscribers from the deal.

Read more: Vodacom said to be in talks with Cell C about deal 

RDI Reit has sold four assets in Germany and the UK for nearly R2 billion as it launches a turnaround strategy after it was impacted by the uncertainty over Brexit. 

RDI Reit, in which South Africa’s second-largest real estate group Redefine Properties is the majority shareholder (holding 29.44 percent), sold an office in the UK and three shopping centres in Germany as part of this strategy, which involves shifting its focus primarily to British hotels, light industrial warehouses and flexible-term offices with its retail assets becoming secondary. 

Read more: RDI Reit sells four assets in Germany and the UK 

Prosus hasn’t lost its appetite for food delivery, even after the e-commerce giant was defeated in a gruelling $8 billion bidding war for UK firm Just Eat.

“We continue to look at lots of different options in this space,” head of ventures and food Larry Illg said. One option for further expansion could even see Amsterdam-based Prosus going back to the negotiating table with Takeaway, which is based in the same city. 

Read more: Prosus hasn’t given up on the food delivery industry

Vodafone Ghana has acquired a stake in Vodacom Business Ghana (VBG), following the purchase of the entire shares of the Vodacom Group.

The move will allow Vodafone Ghana to assimilate VBG’s operations into its existing business to provide a seamless transition for existing clients and employees. According to a statement from Vodafone Ghana, Vodafone and Vodacom would continue to collaborate in Ghana through a pan-African partnership model for enterprise clients.

Read more: Vodafone Ghana acquires Vodacom Business Ghana 

Saudi Aramco says it has exercised its “greenshoe option” to sell an additional 450 million shares, raising the size of its IPO to a record $29.4 billion.

Aramco initially raised $25.6 billion, which was itself a record level, in its December IPO by selling 3-billion shares at 32 riyals a share. 

Read more: Saudi Aramco to sell more shares in IPO 

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