Watershed Mall does magic for Letlole La Rona
The acquisition of Water Shed Piazza in Mahalapye from Josh Posh Investment in March last year has significantly boosted Letlole la Rona revenues for the financial year ended 30 June 2019, the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed real estate loan stock outfit reported last week.
Total Revenue for the year grew by 28 % from P82 million recorded at 2018 year end to close the year at over P102 million. Letlole la Rona says the increase was underpinned by a full years’ contribution of Watershed Mall which came into the portfolio at the tail end of the 2018 financial year. On the 7th of December 2017 Letlole La Rona announced that it has entered into an agreement with Jus Posh Investments (Proprietary) Limited to acquire Lot 29052, Mahalapye from the former.
The acquisition of the Property encompassed all land, buildings and improvements, under the real estate parameters of a fully developed retail center known as Watershed Mall located along the A1 road in Mahalapye. In late January 2018 Competition Authority released a circular to the market alerting any interested parties about the transaction. Two months later Letlole La Rona sealed the deal with sole owner of Josh Posh Investment, Seloma Tiro and paid P149 million for the property.
In several communiqués during the acquisition process Letlole La Rona observed that brining Watershed into its fold would add significant weight into their investments and broaden the company’s footprint reach. “This retail property will enhance LLR’s property value and diversify the portfolio in line with the strategic objectives of the Company. It also provides geographical spread opportunities,” noted the company in 2018.
Zooming into other financial highlights during the June 2019 year end shows that rental gatherings went up by 7.5 %. “This underscores the quality of our portfolio which was also enhanced by the purchase of newly developed, fully tenanted warehouses in Gaborone’s Block 3,” observed LLR Chief Executive Officer, Shenjere-Mutiswa. This increase in revenue pushed full year operating profits up by 22 % to plus P75 million from just over P61.4 million registered in the prior year while net cash from operating activities grew by 6 % with tighter working capital management.
The company also recorded improved cash collections resulting in core cash resources ending the year at P44.6 million, significantly higher that the P34.5 million at the end of the previous financial year , this was also bolstered by revenues year on year good. Following its acquisition of the positively performing Watershed Mall last year LLR this year took a decision to divest significantly from the hospitality sector. The company says this was a first decisive execution of LLR’s deliberate strategic shift. This entails sales of the four hotels to Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Botswana’s premier hospitality and hotels operator.
LLR says disposing all its hotel interest via a sale to the sitting tenant was in line with its diversification strategy. Chairperson of Letlole La Rona states in the financial results commentary that the move has seen LLR dramatically reduce its risk profile, removing exposure to a single tenant who occupied up to a third of its portfolio while at the same time unlocking capital to carry out its restructuring and growth path.
This has however led to a book loss of P27 million ,while on the other side there were two additions of properties in Gaborone’s key industrial nodes as the business consolidated its lead in this sought after sector of the market. The net result of this disposal combined with the absence of full year 2018’s significant one-off revaluation gain on a single property resulted in profit tax declining from P95 million recorded at 2018 year end to P65 million . This was also contributed to by taking into consideration of discontinued operations.
On the overall Letlole La Rona directors say the company’s strong performance above expectations continues despite the current subdued economic environment underscoring that a well –diversified growing portfolio has secured the business cash generation ability against macroeconomic headwinds with the company consistently delivering solid financial and operational results.
LLR says a well structured balance sheet and funding strategy has afforded the company the flexibility to swiftly seize opportunities as they arise. “Testimony to this is the fact that over the past two years we has been involved in four of the five largest property transactions in Botswana,” highlighted the company in the financial statements commentary.
The sale of the hospitality assets has seen the investment properties value decline from P970 million to P780 million. However the company says it maintains a very healthy pipeline locally and regionally and shall be deploying the sale proceeds during the course of the coming financial year. On the outlook LLR Board chairperson, B Magopa shared that the company is enthusiastic about the opportunities in Botswana and beyond the country‘s boarders.
“ We remain focused on the company’s vision of becoming the premier real estate company with a signigificant presence in selected regional markets and a well diversified portfolio underpinned by high occupancies and quality tenant covenant,” he said. He added that with its current low generating ratio, healthy pipeline and property investment management expertise, the company is in the prime position to deliver this strategy.
For shareholders take home the BSE listed real estate group declared final distribution of 10.75 thebe per linked unit on the 25th June 2019 for the June year end . This comprised of a dividend of 0.05 thebe and debenture interest of 10.70 thebe per linked unit. The payout included a final distribution of 7.15 thebe per linked unit amounting to 20 020 000 and a special distribution of 3.60 thebe per linked unit totaling to P10 080 00.
This brought total distribution got the 2019 financial year to P57 316 000 being a dividend of 10 thebe per share and interest of 20.37 thebe per linked unit Going forward the company will be looking to grow its distribution payout at a rate comfortably higher than Botswana’s inflation.
Business
LLR transforms from Company to Group reporting
Botswana Stock Exchange listed diversified real estate company, Letlole La Rona Limited (“LLR” or “the Company” or “the Group”), posted its first set of group financial statements which comprise the Company and Group consolidated accounts, which show strong financial performance for the six months ended 31 December 2023, with improvements across all key metrics.
The Company commenced the financial year with the appointment of a Deputy Chairperson, Mr Mooketsi Maphane, in order to bolster its governance and enhance leadership continuity through the development of a Board and Executive Management Succession Plan.
At operational level, LLR increased its shareholding in Railpark Mall from 32.79% to 57.79% and proudly took over the management of this prime asset.
The CEO of LLR, Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng commented “During the period under review, our portfolio continued to perform strongly, with improvements across all key metrics as a result of our ongoing focus on portfolio growth and optimisation.
“We are pleased to report a successful first half of the 2024 financial year, where we managed to not only grow the portfolio through strategic acquisitions and value accretive refurbishments but also recycled capital through the disposal of Moedi House as well as the ongoing sale of section titles at Red Square Apartments. The acquisition of an additional 25% stake in JTTM Properties significantly uplifted the value of our investment portfolio to P2.0 billion at a Group level. Our investment portfolio was further differentiated by the quality of our tenant base, as demonstrated by above market occupancy levels of 99.15% and strong collections of above 100% for the period”.
The growth in contractual revenue of 9% from the prior year’s P48.0 million to the current year P52.2 million, increased income from Railpark Mall, coupled with high collection rates, has enabled the company to declare a distribution of 9.11 thebe per linked unit, which is in line with the prior year.
In line with its strategic pillars of ‘Streamlined and Expanded Botswana Portfolio’ as well as ‘Quality African Assets’, the Group continuously monitors the performance of its investments to ensure that they meet the targeted returns.
“The Group continues to explore yield accretive opportunities for balance sheet growth and funding options that can be deployed to finance that growth” further commented the CEO of LLR Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng.
Ms Mowaneng further thanked the Group’s stakeholders for their continued support and stated that they look forward to unlocking further value in the Group.
Business
Botswana’s Electricity Generation Dips 26.4%
The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has reported a significant decrease in electricity generation for the fourth quarter of 2023, with output plummeting by 26.4%. This decline is primarily attributed to operational difficulties at the Morupule B power plant, as per the latest Botswana Index of Electricity Generation (IEG) released recently.
Local electricity production saw a drastic reduction, falling from 889,535 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 654,312 MWH in the period under review. This substantial decrease is largely due to the operational challenges at the Morupule B power plant. Consequently, the need for imported electricity surged by 35.6% (136,243 MWH) from 382,426 MWH in the third quarter to 518,669 MWH in the fourth quarter. This increase was necessitated by the need to compensate for the shortfall in locally generated electricity.
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) was the principal supplier of imported electricity, accounting for 43.1% of total electricity imports during the fourth quarter of 2023. Eskom followed with 21.8%, while the remaining 12.1, 10.3, 8.6, and 4.2% were sourced from Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM), Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Nampower, and Cross-border electricity markets, respectively. Cross-border electricity markets involve the supply of electricity to towns and villages along the border from neighboring countries such as Namibia and Zambia.
Distributed electricity exhibited a decrease of 7.8% (98,980 MWH), dropping from 1,271,961 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 1,172,981 MWH in the review quarter.
Electricity generated locally contributed 55.8% to the electricity distributed during the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease from the 74.5% contribution in the same quarter of the previous year. This signifies a decrease of 18.7 percentage points. The quarter-on-quarter comparison shows that the contribution of locally generated electricity to the distributed electricity fell by 14.2 percentage points, from 69.9% in the third quarter of 2023 to 55.8% in the fourth quarter. The Morupule A and B power stations accounted for 90.4% of the electricity generated during the fourth quarter of 2023, while Matshelagabedi and Orapa emergency power plants contributed the remaining 5.9 and 3.7% respectively.
The year-on-year analysis reveals some improvement in local electricity generation. The year-on-year perspective shows that the amount of distributed electricity increased by 8.2% (88,781 MWH), from 1,084,200 MWH in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 1,172,981 MWH in the current quarter. The trend of the Index of Electricity Generation from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 indicates an improvement in local electricity generation, despite fluctuations.
The year-on-year analysis also reveals a downward trend in the physical volume of imported electricity. The trend in the physical volume of imported electricity from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 shows a downward trend, indicating the country’s continued effort to generate adequate electricity to meet domestic demand, has led to the decreased reliance on electricity imports.
In response to the need to increase local generation and reduce power imports, the government has initiated a new National Energy Policy. This policy is aimed at guiding the management and development of Botswana’s energy sector and encouraging investment in new and renewable energy. In the policy document, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Lefoko Moagi stated that the policy aims to transform Botswana from being a net energy importer to a self-sufficient nation with surplus energy for export into the region. Moagi expressed confidence that Botswana has the potential to achieve self-sufficiency in electric power supply, given the country’s readily available energy resources such as coal and renewable sources.
Business
MMG acquires Khoemacau in a transaction valued at P23Bn
MMG Limited, the Hong Kong-based mining company specializing in base metals, has successfully concluded the acquisition of Khoemacau Copper Mine, a state-of-the-art, world-class copper asset nestled in the northwest of Botswana.
On Monday, MMG announced that the acquisition of Khoemacau Mine in Botswana was finalized on 22nd March 2024. “This acquisition enriches the company’s portfolio with a top-tier, transformative growth project and signifies a monumental milestone in the Company’s journey,” MMG communicated in an official statement published on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Upon completion of the acquisition, MMG remitted to the Sellers an Aggregate Consideration of approximately US$1,734,657,000 (over P23 billion), a sum subject to potential adjustments post-Completion.
In addition to the Aggregate Consideration, MMG, in accordance with the Agreement, advanced an aggregate amount of approximately US$348,580,000 (over P4.5 billion) as the Aggregate Debt Settlement Amount, to settle certain debt balances of the Target Group (Cuprous Capital/Khoemacau).
On November 21, 2023, Khoemacau announced that the shareholders of its parent company [Cuprous Capital] had agreed to sell 100% of their interests to MMG Limited.
MMG is a global resources company that mines, explores, and develops copper and other base metals projects on four continents. The company is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and has a significant shareholder, China Minmetals Corporation, which is China’s largest metals and minerals group owned by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
On December 22, 2023, Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd received the approval from the Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana regarding the transfer of a controlling interest in the Project Licenses and Prospecting Licenses associated with the Khoemacau Copper Mine, a result of the Acquisition.
The Botswana Competition & Consumer Authority (CCA) on January 29, 2024, notified the market that it had given its approval for the takeover of Khoemacau Copper Mining by MMG Limited.
On January 29, 2024, the CCA issued a merger decision to the market, stating that after conducting all necessary assessments, it was ready to proceed.
The Competition Authority affirmed that the structure of the relevant market would not significantly change upon implementation of the proposed merger as the proposed transaction is not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, nor endanger the continuity of service in the market of mining of copper and silver ores and the production, and sale or supply of copper concentrate in Botswana.
Furthermore, the CCA stated that the proposed merger would not have any negative impact on public interest matters in Botswana as per the provisions of section 52(2) of the Competition Act 2018.
Earlier this month, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, informed parliament that his Ministry was endorsing the Khoemacau acquisition by MMG Limited. He noted that not only was the company acquiring the existing operation but also committing to an expansion program that would cost over $700 million to double production, create more jobs for Batswana, and increase taxes and royalties paid to the Government.