The battle for media and investments group Nail took a new twist this week when the scales tipped away from the Johncom consortium in favour of its Investec-led rival, Tiso consortium.
Last week the Nail board recommended that shareholders accept an offer from joint bidders Johncom, Kagiso and Caxton.
However, on Thursday the Tiso consortium announced that it had secured an undertaking from Phaphama, the vote-controlling shareholder in Nail, to vote against the Johncom consortium’s bid.
Fani Titi’s Tiso Group holds 20 %, with the Mineworkers Investment Company holding a further 20%, Investec 35%, a new member, Capricorn 20% and Safika 5%. Safika is part of the Phaphama group. Capricon is a private equity group in the Hollard stable.
Titi told the Mail & Guardian he was encouraged that his consor- tium had the support of minority shareholders in Nail, which he estimated to hold around 45% of Nail equity.
Johncom has offered to purchase Nail at R10,66 a share, with conditions that include the favourable disposal of Nail’s non-media assets.
Tiso has offered R10,50 a share, purchasing directly all Nail ordinary and N shares that are not held by consortium members. He believes the offer holds less risk for Nail shareholders. ”The structure of the transaction minimises regulatory risk and should provide further comfort to shareholders,” Titi said.
If Johncom/ Kagiso secures Nail, Johncom will gain exposure to radio for the first time through Jacaranda and Cape Town’s Kfm.
Kagiso will increase its stake in Jacaranda and Radmark and acquire half of Urban Brew.
Nail shareholders are expected to vote at the end of October.