June 21 2023
SA’s largest landlord believes that a new empowerment scheme will bolster its corporate social responsibility projects
Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) has asked its shareholders to approve a R250m broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership scheme for a empowerment transaction that will fund corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives which Growthpoint supports.
The proposed transaction would see Growthpoint allocate shares to a special-purpose CSI trust, which would use dividends from its Growthpoint shares to fund future CSI initiatives focused on “education, entrepreneurship and enterprise development” the group said.
The initiatives are managed through Property Point, which delivers programmes that support growing small black businesses in the property sector and education projects such as Growsmart, which assists primary school learners in the Western and Eastern Cape.
Property Point is led by its founder and CEO, Shawn Theunissen who is Growthpoint’s head of transformation and corporate social responsibility.
It is in Growthpoint’s interest as the largest property group in the country to help communities and society.
“The proposed Growthpoint CSI Trust would become a valuable source of perpetual funding for our social impact projects. It would also enhance our B-BBEE credentials by helping to achieve our equity ownership targets in line with the Property Sector Code,” said Theunissen.
The finalisation of the B-BBEE deal would see an increase in broad-based elements of the Property Sector Charter scorecard for black ownership of Growthpoint. Growthpoint is a Level 1 BEE contributor.
“The proposed transaction aligns with Growthpoint’s long-term vision of a more empowered South African society and economy in a way that continues to benefit the communities where we are invested, our employees and their families. Through our CSI initiatives, we strive to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on the lives of people by ensuring material improvement in their conditions,” said Theunissen.
An extraordinary general meeting will be held on Wednesday July 19 2023 for Growthpoint shareholders to consider the proposed scheme, which includes entering into a loan agreement with the Growthpoint CSI Trust to enable it to acquire the R250m of Growthpoint ordinary shares, valued at a share price of R12.50, less than 0.6% of the total Growthpoint ordinary shares in issue, together with their full voting rights and dividend entitlements on the same basis as all other Growthpoint ordinary shares.
The Growthpoint CSI Trust has been structured to comply with both the B-BBEE Act and the requirements for a public benefit organisation. Besides shareholder approval, as a major B-BBEE transaction, the scheme also needs the green light from South Africa’s B-BBEE Commission.
Estienne de Klerk, SA CEO of Growthpoint Properties said the new scheme had large potential and would be supported by skilled management.
“Our proposed B-BBEE deal shows Growthpoint’s commitment to providing space to thrive in environmentally sustainable buildings while improving individuals’ and communities’ social and material well-being,” he said.
“We believe, with the necessary approvals, this transaction will be a notable milestone on our transformation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) journey, as we continue our long-standing track record of fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation, industry, society and economy,” he said.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za