The boards of Cell C and 3C Telecommunications have accepted the offers received from Blue Label Telecoms and Cell C management and staff and will now proceed with the next steps of the transaction as proposed.
On 10 December 2015 Cell C announced that it has received offers to recapitalise the company which will reduce net debt to R8-billion or less when implemented.
Blue Label Telecoms submitted a conditional binding offer of R4-billion to subscribe for a number of shares to hold around 35% of the total issued shares in Cell C at the close of the recapitalisation, and Cell C management and staff submitted a conditional binding offer of R2,5-billion to subscribe for a number of shares to hold about 30% of the total issued shares in Cell C at the close of the recapitalisation.
Current Cell C shareholder 3C Telecommunications will also subscribe for a number of shares to hold about 35% of the total issued shares at the close of the recapitalisation.
“This transaction will not only benefit Cell C and empower its staff, but more importantly, it will solidify Cell C’s assurance to its customers to provide the most innovative products and services, backed by continued growth and investment in its network. We welcome Blue Label Telecoms as a strategic partner and know that it will add value to Cell C going forward,” says Mohammed Hariri, chairman of Cell C.
“Cell C has really hit a winning formula with this deal. The company is creating a formidable force in ownership with employees now on track to own around 30% of equity in Cell C. Coupled with the fact that the remaining debt (post-recapitalisation) will be refinanced in South African Rand, the business is building a stronger platform from which to grow, creating true empowerment for all its employees. It also has a strong management team in place to drive the vision forward,” Hariri says.
The recapitalization is subject to conditions precedent, including the execution of definitive transaction agreements typical for a transaction of this nature, the securing of funding by all parties and the obtaining of all requisite regulatory approvals.
The expected effective date of the recapitalisation is 1 June 2016.
