Lebashe acquires Tiso Blackstar media assets

Johannesburg: The Lebashe Investment Group announced today the acquisition of the Media, Broadcasting and Content businesses of Tiso Blackstar Holdings in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya for R1,05 billion in a transaction that will significantly transform the media landscape in South Africa. 

The transaction represents Lebashe’s intention to be one of the key players in the digital and content sectors. The media assets in this transaction collectively reach more than 20,7 million people in SA alone and play a major role in informing, educating and entertaining the consumer and corporate stakeholders on the continent. 

Tshepo Mahloele, the Chairman of Lebashe said: “The acquisition of the iconic media assets including the Sunday Times, Business Day, Sowetan and others, owned by Tiso Blackstar is in line with our growth trajectory and complements our financial services and technology assets”.

“We believe that Lebashe provides a compelling growth opportunity for the media, broadcasting and content businesses in the Tiso Blackstar stable. Our combination of specialist Pan-African expertise, technological and financial acumen, make us the ideal partner to take this business to the next level.”

Mahloele added: “The transaction represents our confidence in the future of the media industry which has been experiencing significant challenges over a long time with dwindling readership and advertising revenues.  As long-term investors we are of the view that the assets in this acquisition possess the requisite brand equity, great heritage and potential for growth into the future.”

“We believe they are properly positioned to be leaders in the content game: they have a strong commercial position and as leading media brands they have proven to be resilient and will remain relevant in the SA media market going forward.” 

The acquisition of the Tiso Blackstar media assets follows a string of investments that Lebashe has undertaken and form part of its quest to become a leading African investment company. Lebashe has investments in Capitec Bank Holdings, RainFin, 4Africa Exchange and others. 

While Lebashe’s current portfolio is weighted towards financial services, it believes that technological evolution, changes to social norms and consumer behaviour will drive further integration and introduce new opportunities for customers in its ecosystem.

“Media technology platforms are playing an ever increasing role in the manner in which retailers and brands engage with consumers. Lebashe therefore needs to remain abreast of changes and trends in order to remain relevant particularly given the rapid pace of technological disruption in our core investments,” concluded Mahloele.  

This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

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For media queries, please contact Khaya Buthelezi on:
Cell: 071 364 7296,
Email: khayabuthelezi@icloud.com

Corporate Advisor to Lebashe on the Transaction
Delta Partners Corporate Finance Limited

Attorneys to Lebashe on the Transaction 
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.

Note to Editors

About Lebashe

Lebashe is an unlisted investment holding company with an experienced, multi-faceted management team. Since inception, Lebashe has grown significantly with aspirations to become a leading African investment company whose core aim is to create value that outlives its creators and produces inclusive generational wealth for all stakeholders.

Website: www.lebashe.com

Twitter: @LebasheInvest