Listed Companies
Fertiliser and explosive manufacturer Omnia received a firm, all cash buyout offer from Solar Industries India in a deal valuing the company at R21,83 billion. The offer of R134.50 per share represents a premium of 35.73% over the 30-day VWAP. The transaction by the Indian listed company will create a global platform to accelerate Omnia’s product offerings internationally and as such the Board intends to recommend the buyout scheme to its shareholders. The potential exit of the company from the JSE and A2X further reduces investment options available to institutional investors.
Accelerate Property Fund is to dispose of the Cedar Square shopping centre in a deal with Aristonas valued at R630 million. The purchaser will acquire the existing letting enterprise, its related income stream and available bulk but will not acquire the right to develop the bulk, this will be retained by Accelerate. The deal is classified as a category 1 transaction and as such a circular will be issued and shareholder approval sought.
In a trading update, Pepkor announced it had structured a sale and leaseback of three distribution centres unlocking R2,25 billion in capital that it will redeploy into high-growth opportunities within the group. The properties, Pep Kuils River, Pep Hammarsdale and Ackermans Hammarsdale, are housed in Badger Properties which Pepkor has anchored as a black-owned and managed property fund and in which it has retained a 35% minority interest. The property leases are 15-year triple net lease agreements which ensures operational continuity. The Competition Commission approved this transaction in June 2026.
Supermarket Income REIT has acquired a portfolio of six grocery assets for £104 million. The assets situated in the UK are across key locations bridging traditional omnichannel supermarkets, convenience stores and distribution hubs in Macclesfield, Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Birmingham, Glasgow and Avonmouth. The acquisition of the portfolio will be funded from the proceeds of the £100 million equity raise in July 2026. The average net initial yield across the assets is 6.6% with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 10 years.
The much-acclaimed R41,3 billion Vodacom deal announced in December 2025 which saw its presence in East Africa scale, has encountered a legal hurdle. Vodacom acquired a further 5% stake in Safaricom from Vodafone and a 15% shareholding from the Government of Kenya giving it an effective shareholding in Safaricom of 55%. This week the High Court of Kenya handed down an adverse judgment on a petition challenging its deal to take control of Safaricom. Vodacom is to appeal against the decision.
The disposal by Putprop of a specific portion of Summit Place located in Menlyn, Pretoria announced in November 2025 has been terminated. The deal which would have seen the property sold to Veritas 1000 for R26,5 million will not proceed as the requisite approval by the purchaser from its board of directors has not been obtained.
Unlisted Companies
Private investment firm VEA Capital Partners has announced a strategic investment in Bonisa Applied Insights (Bonisa AI), a local data science and artificial intelligence business. Bonisa AI serves clients across retail, banking, telecommunications and a range of other industries and sectors. The company also works with credit bureau data as a registered reseller, combining bureau information with alternative data sources to create additional value.
DealMakers is SA’s quarterly M&A publication.
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