DTC - Datatec Limited - Audited results for the financial year ended 28 February
11 May 2011 8:00
DTC
DTC                                                                             
DTC - Datatec Limited - Audited results for the financial year ended 28 February
2011 and cash distribution by way of capital reduction                          
Datatec Limited                                                                 
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number: 1994/005004/06)                                           
ISIN: ZAE000017745                                                              
Share Code: DTC                                                                 
AUDITED RESULTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2011 AND CASH          
DISTRIBUTION BY WAY OF CAPITAL REDUCTION                                        
Datatec Limited ("Datatec" or the "Group", JSE and LSE: DTC), the international 
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) group, is today publishing its  
audited results for the financial year ended 28 February 2011.                  
Financial highlights                                                            
- Revenue up 15% to $4,3 billion (2010: $3,7 billion)                           
- EBITDA up 31% to $142,2 million (2010: $108,5 million)                        
- Underlying* earnings per share up 25% to 37,9 US cents(2010: 30,3 US cents)   
- Capital distribution per share up 8% to 13 US cents (2010: 12 US cents)       
*Excluding goodwill and intangibles impairment, amortisation of acquired        
intangible assets, profit or loss on sale of assets and businesses, fair value  
movements on acquisition related financial instruments and unrealised foreign   
exchange movements                                                              
Operational highlights                                                          
- Strong performance and operational leverage                                   
- Solid revenue growth in Westcon and Logicalis; up 13% and 25% respectively    
- Margin expansion; overall gross margins 13,9% (2010: 13,3%)                   
- EBITDA increases at 2x revenue growth rate                                    
- Group continues to benefit from international scale and business              
diversification                                                                 
Jens Montanana, Chief Executive of Datatec, commented:                          
"I am delighted to be able to report on strong results for the year, ahead of   
previous guidance.                                                              
"Despite an environment which remained challenging in many markets, our focus on
operational performance has meant that we have been able to increase revenues   
and expand margins resulting in the bottom line growing at twice the rate of    
revenues.                                                                       
"This performance is being driven by a combination of strong operational        
leverage and an improving global economy which is returning to a more           
predictable and aligned recovery across the majority of the Group`s geographies.
"We have a robust business model which should deliver further improved results  
in the years ahead and we are therefore increasing earnings guidance for the    
current financial year."                                                        
PROFILE AND GROUP STRUCTURE                                                     
Datatec Group is a global provider of ICT products, solutions and services. The 
Group was founded by Chief Executive Jens Montanana in 1986 and is celebrating  
its 25th anniversary this year. Over the past 25 years, Datatec has grown into a
multi-national organisation employing almost 5 000 people worldwide with        
operations in more than 40 countries.                                           
The Group`s main lines of business comprise: the global distribution of advanced
networking and communications convergence products ("Westcon" and Westcon       
Emerging Markets, now a region of Westcon defined as Africa, India and Middle   
East ("AIME")); ICT infrastructure solutions and services ("Logicalis"); and    
Consulting Services ("Analysys Mason" and "Intact"). "Corporate" encompasses the
net operating costs of the Group`s head office entities.                        
OVERVIEW                                                                        
Datatec delivered a very encouraging performance during the financial year,     
exceeding the underlying earnings per share guidance given at the start of the  
financial year by 8,3%. The year was marked by increasing revenues, margin      
expansion and strong operational leverage and EBITDA grew at twice the rate of  
revenues.                                                                       
The Group`s geographic diversity and improving business mix continue to         
represent a resilient business model.  This helped to mitigate the impact of the
economic downturn in prior years, and is now helping to insulate the Group      
against variations in the recovery within the geographies Datatec operates.     
The improvement in the Group`s trading and profitability continued.  The second 
half results were better than the results for the first half and better than the
results for the second half of the prior financial year.                        
This performance is being driven by a combination of strong operational leverage
and an improving global economy, which whilst still showing areas of weakness,  
seems to be more predictable with a more synchronised recovery across the       
majority of the Group`s geographies. The US, which is the Group`s largest       
market, continues to show signs of recovery, whilst Asia, South America and the 
Middle East remain the strongest performing markets.  Trading conditions in     
Europe are also improving, albeit that economic recovery in the UK remains weak.
Trading and profitability continued to improve in all of the Group`s divisions, 
driven by robust top line growth in both Westcon and Logicalis, up 13% and 25%  
respectively. Overall Group gross margins have firmed and operating margins are 
expanding.                                                                      
Westcon`s gross margins improved in North America, Latin America and AIME.      
Logicalis also showed a combination of strong revenue growth, an improving      
business mix, and increased product and services margins.                       
Datatec generated revenues of $4,3 billion, up 15% (2010: $3,7 billion).        
Organic growth was 12% and overall gross margins expanded to 13,9% (2010:       
13,3%).                                                                         
The Group continues to benefit strongly from operational leverage, with EBITDA  
increasing faster than revenues ($142,2 million, up 31% (2010: $108,5 million)).
Underlying earnings per share rose 25% to 37,9 US cents per share (2010: 30,3 US
cents).                                                                         
Of the $4,3 billion revenues, some 74% came from Distribution; 19% from ICT     
Solutions (Logicalis product sales) and 7% is attributable to revenues derived  
from Services (Logicalis and Consulting services).                              
ANALYSIS BY BUSINESS STREAM                                                     
Analysis by business stream  Revenue      %    Gross Profit    %                
($`million)                  2011              20 2011                          
Distribution                 3,184        74%  334             56%              
ICT Solutions                815          19%  156             26%              
Services                     304          7%   108             18%              
Total                        4,303             598                              
STRATEGY                                                                        
Datatec continues to pursue its long term strategy to deliver sustainable above 
average returns to shareholders by focusing on a combination of organic growth  
in the faster growing sectors of the ICT market, geographic expansion and       
earnings enhancing acquisitions.                                                
Datatec enjoys a strong market position with no particular dependency on any    
single market, territory or technology sector, as well as improving customer    
mix.                                                                            
During the year the Group has primarily focused on improving operational        
performance and reviewing a number of acquisition opportunities to enhance      
margins, facilitate consolidation in proven markets and extend the Group`s      
geographical reach.                                                             
On 31 March 2010 Analysys Mason acquired BDA Connect ("BDA India") based in New 
Delhi, which provides Analysys Mason, with a platform to develop its consulting 
business in India and to support its existing operations in Singapore and Dubai.
Furthermore, BDA India`s research capabilities will enable Analysys Mason to    
deliver global research coverage to its clients.                                
In September 2010, the Group acquired two small/medium-sized businesses ("SMB") 
as part of its strategy to further expand its operations in developing markets; 
Biodata, a specialist South African distribution business which enhanced Westcon
South Africa`s security business and Touchbase Singapore, one of Cisco`s leading
Unified Communications and contact centre partners in Asia.  This has added     
significant expertise to Logicalis and its growing presence in the Asia Pacific 
region.                                                                         
On 30 November 2010, the Group purchased the minority stake in Westcon SA       
("WSA") from the previous BEE partner, African Legend Computing (Pty) Ltd       
("ALC") and the Mineworkers` Investment Company (Pty) Ltd (`MIC`) subscribed for
new shares in WSA constituting 26% of the equity. This transaction considerably 
enhanced WSA`s broad-based BEE credentials.                                     
Two further acquisitions followed, both aimed at enhancing Logicalis` reach and 
breadth of product offering.  On 2 December 2010 the Group acquired Network     
Infrastructure Corporation as part of a move to grow Logicalis` presence in the 
Southwest of the USA and on 24 January 2011, the Group acquired Direct Visual,  
one of the UK`s leading independent suppliers of video communications. This     
acquisition strengthens Logicalis UK`s video offering and broadens its managed  
services and cloud computing expertise.                                         
FINANCIAL RESULTS                                                               
Group revenues increased by 15% to $4,3 billion (2010: $3,7 billion) with 35% of
Group revenue generated from North America (2010: 38%), 36% from Europe (2010:  
39%), 11% from Asia Pacific (2010: 9%), 11% from Latin America (2010: 8%) and 7%
from AIME (2010: 6%).                                                           
Gross margins improved to 13,9% (2010: 13,3%). Gross profit increased by 20% to 
$597,6 million (2010: $498,4 million), while operating costs increased at a     
lower rate than gross profit by 17% to $455,4 million (2010: $389,8 million).   
EBITDA increased 31% to $142,2 million (2010: $108,5 million), which includes   
net unrealised foreign exchange losses of $0,4 million (2010:  $2,1 million).   
Amortisation of intangible fixed assets arising from acquisitions as $16,2      
million (2010: $15,4 million).                                                  
Operating profit increased by 38% to $105,0 million (2010: $76,0 million).  The 
net interest charge increased slightly to $10,2 million (2010: $9,6 million), as
a result of lower cash balances due to Westcon`s prompt pay arrangements (see   
below).                                                                         
Profit before tax increased 45% to $78,2 million (2010: $54,1 million), after   
fair value movements on put option liabilities.                                 
The Group`s reported effective tax rate decreased slightly to 41,2% from 41,5%. 
If the fair value movements on put option liabilities are excluded from profit  
before tax, the effective tax rate would have been 34,7% (2010: 34,0%). The     
Group`s effective tax rate is higher than the South African statutory tax rate  
of 28%, primarily due to profits in jurisdictions with higher effective tax     
rates, most notably North and South America.                                    
The effective tax rate for the financial year ending 28 February 2012 (excluding
any fair value movements on put option liabilities) is expected to be           
approximately 34%.                                                              
Underlying earnings per share increased by 25% to 37,9 US cents (2010: 30,3 US  
cents). Headline earnings per share ("HEPS") increased by 41% to 23,9 US cents  
(2010: 17,0 US cents). HEPS, excluding the effect of put option fair value      
adjustments, is 31,9 US cents (2010: 23,8 US cents), reflecting an increase of  
34%.                                                                            
By switching its European vendor financing arrangements to a new more flexible  
$200 million bank facility, Westcon can now take advantage of vendor supplier   
prompt pay initiatives, which are earnings enhancing. Amounts drawn under the   
new banking facility are disclosed under bank overdrafts, and form part of net  
debt / cash where previously the vendor financing arrangements were disclosed   
with payables on the statement of financial position and included in operating  
activities.                                                                     
The Group`s operations utilised $100,9 million cash during the period (2010:    
cash generation of $196,1 million). As anticipated, working capital requirements
increased due to a normalisation of prior year extended credit terms by certain 
suppliers and Westcon`s refinancing activities in Europe.                       
The Group ended the period with net cash of $48 million (2010: $186 million),   
after deducting long-term debt of $21,2 million and short-term debt of $13,9    
million included in the payables and provisions line on the statement of        
financial position. The Group continues to enjoy comfortable head room in terms 
of its working capital lines.                                                   
The Group issued 3,3 million new shares during the year with 2,9 million shares 
issued as part of acquisition activities, while 0,4 million shares were issued  
to satisfy exercised share options.                                             
The Group spent $14,7 million on acquisitions, net of cash acquired. As a       
result, goodwill and intangible assets increased by $13,7 million and $6,2      
million respectively. The revenue and EBITDA included from these acquisitions in
2011 was $9 million and $0,5 million respectively. Had the acquisition dates    
been 1 March 2010, revenue attributable to these acquisitions would have been   
approximately $28,7 million. It is not practical to establish the EBITDA that   
would have been contributed by the acquisitions in 2011 if they had been        
included for the entire year.                                                   
The Group paid $21,7 million to shareholders as a capital distribution in July  
2010.                                                                           
Outstanding liabilities to vendors of businesses acquired have increased since  
last year-end from $52,8 million to a total of $59,5 million, of which $33,1    
million is included under short term liabilities. The largest portion of the    
total balance relates to two elements of the Promon acquisition - potential     
further cash payments of $6 million to the sellers, as well as a liability of   
$46,1 million recognised in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments:       
Presentation, for a put option held by minority shareholders.                   
Under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, companies are  
required to re-measure such liabilities at each reporting date, with changes in 
the fair values booked in the statement of comprehensive income. An increase in 
put option liabilities represented by a non-operating non-cash charge of $14,7  
million being recognised in the year (2010: $12,0 million) was a result of      
increased valuation of the underlying subsidiaries.                             
Gains of $32,4 million (2010: $77,5 million) arising on translation of non-USD  
denominated subsidiaries are included in comprehensive income of $76,4 million  
(2010: $100,4 million).                                                         
DIVISIONAL REVIEWS                                                              
Westcon (including AIME, formerly Westcon Emerging Markets)                     
Westcon accounted for 74% of the Group`s revenues (2010: 76%) and 66,3% of its  
EBITDA (2010: 64%).                                                             
Westcon is the world`s leading specialty distributor in networking, security,   
mobility and convergence for leading technology vendors, including Cisco, Avaya,
Check Point, Bluecoat, Juniper and other complementary manufacturers. Through   
its Comstor, Westcon Convergence and Westcon Security business units, Westcon   
sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service       
providers. Westcon has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data   
and video applications and technologies, including voice-over internet protocol 
("VoIP"), security for networking and communications systems, data centre       
technologies, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity.                      
Westcon`s AIME subsidiaries were integrated into Westcon during the second half 
of this financial year and their performance is now consolidated into Westcon   
Group.                                                                          
Westcon`s revenue increased 13% to $3,2 billion (2010: $2,8 billion) with       
increases across all regions.  From a geographic perspective, 39% of Westcon`s  
revenue was generated in  Europe (2010: 40%),  35% in North America (2010: 37%),
11% in Asia Pacific (2010: 12%), 9% in AIME (2010: 7%) and 6% in Latin America  
(2010: 4%).                                                                     
Cisco products made up 52% of Westcon`s revenue (2010:  54%), 16% for Avaya /   
Nortel (2010: 16%), 17% for security (2010: 18%) and 15% for Affinity / other   
development vendors (2010: 12%).                                                
Gross margins increased to 10,5% (2010: 10,3%) with increased margins in North  
America, Latin America and AIME.   Gross profit increased 14% to $334 million   
(2010: $292 million).                                                           
Operating expenses grew 8% to $229 million due to increased headcount levels and
higher outbound freight expenses.  Operating expenses grew at a much lower rate 
than revenues.  As a result, Westcon`s EBITDA increased 31% to $105 million     
(2010: $80 million) while EBITDA margins increased to 3,3% (2010: 2,8%), with   
increased margins in North America, Europe and AIME offset by lower margins in  
Latin America and Asia Pacific.                                                 
Operating profit increased 38% to $91 million (2010: $66 million).              
Westcon`s operating activities used $83 million of cash compared to $125 million
of cash generated in 2010 due to a decrease in accounts payable resulting from  
the expiration of extended payment terms for Cisco product in Europe and the    
decision to take advantage of early payment discounts for Cisco product         
purchases in Europe. As expected, Westcon`s operating cash flow performance in  
the second half showed an improvement over the first half of the financial year.
Management expects solid growth for the next financial year, with stable        
margins, better product mix and broadening geographic reach.                    
In September 2010, the Group acquired a 90% interest in Biodata, a specialist   
South African distribution business, to enhance Westcon South Africa`s security 
business.                                                                       
On 6 October 2010 Westcon repurchased 2,6% of its own shares from its remaining 
minority shareholder, resulting in Datatec now owning 100% of  Westcon.         
Logicalis                                                                       
Logicalis accounted for 24% of the Group`s revenues (2010: 22%) and 33,4% of its
EBITDA (2010: 34%).                                                             
Logicalis is an international IT solutions and managed services provider with a 
breadth of knowledge and expertise in IT infrastructure and networking          
solutions, communications and collaboration, data centre, cloud and professional
and managed services.                                                           
The marked improvement in demand in the first half of the financial year        
continued into the second half with all regions enjoying revenue growth. In     
particular, the strong recovery in the US reported in the first half continued  
during the year, with the US region enjoying double digit growth in the second  
half.                                                                           
Growth for the year was particularly strong in the South America region driven  
by increased capital investment by telecommunication service providers with     
Brazil once again the stand-out market. The performance of the Asia Pacific     
region was also very encouraging with good margins from an enhanced services    
mix. Despite a weak recovery and difficult trading conditions in the UK,        
Logicalis` operations are performing well.                                      
Revenue increased by 25% to $1,05 billion (2010: $0,84 billion), including $85,1
million revenue from the Asia Pacific acquisition. Organic revenue increased by 
15%, reflecting the general improvement in demand.                              
Revenue from product sales was up 26%, with strong increases in the Cisco and   
IBM vendor categories, with Cisco revenues also boosted by the Asia Pacific     
acquisition of January 2010. Revenues from total services were up 20%, with     
strong growth in annuity service revenues of 21%.                               
The gross margin improved to 23,0% (2010: 22,2%). Product margins were up       
slightly, as were services margins. The gross profit was $240,7 million (2010:  
$186,4 million).                                                                
Operating expenses increased in line with the gross margin growth. EBITDA was   
$53,0 million (2010: $42,4 million), resulting in an EBITDA margin of 5,1%      
(2010: 5,1%).                                                                   
After charges for depreciation and amortisation of intangible assets, operating 
profit was up 24% to $31,3 million (2010: $25,2 million).                       
In the next financial year management expects to benefit from the investments   
made during 2011 in data centre and cloud-based services assets in the UK, US   
and Brazil and from operational leverage.                                       
During the financial year Logicalis completed three acquisitions. In September  
2010 it acquired the business of Touchbase Singapore from Touchbase Group.      
Touchbase Singapore has annualised revenues of approximately $6 million and is a
unified communications ("UC") solutions provider focusing in the areas of UC and
customer contact centre solutions for enterprise and multinational corporations.
In December 2010 Logicalis acquired Network Infrastructure Corporation ("NIC"), 
a Phoenix, Arizona-based Cisco Gold Partner with annualised revenues of         
approximately $20 million. NIC provides network consulting and IT services to   
the education, state and local government, gaming and hospitality markets across
the Southwest United States. This acquisition expands Logicalis` presence in    
this region, reinforces its strategic relationship with Cisco and extends its   
expertise into educational markets within which Logicalis previously had limited
exposure.                                                                       
In February 2011 Logicalis acquired Direct Visual, a UK-based Tandberg (now part
of Cisco) Platinum Partner with annualised revenues of approximately $15        
million. Direct Visual is one of the UK`s leading independent suppliers of video
communications solutions and video managed services and is being integrated into
Logicalis` Unified Communications and Collaboration ("UCC") operation to        
strengthen its video offering and further broaden its managed services and cloud
computing expertise.                                                            
Consulting Services                                                             
The Consulting Services division, consisting of Analysys Mason and Intact,      
accounted for 2% of Group revenues (2010: 2%) and 0,3% of EBITDA (2010: 2%).    
Analysys Mason provides management consulting, advisory and market intelligence 
services to the telecoms, IT and digital media industries. Its clients include  
telecoms operators, financial institutions, media organisations, regulators and 
a range of other public sector bodies.  Intact is a networking services and     
support consultancy business focussed on providing high end professional        
services to its customers. Intact`s services are offered exclusively through its
partner network.  Together the businesses have offices across four continents   
and while the UK remains a very important market for the division, increasing   
levels of revenues are being earned outside the UK.                             
Total divisional revenues increased by 14% to $72,5 million (2010: $63,9        
million), driven mostly by growth in Intact following investments made in Asia  
and North America. Analysys Mason had a challenging year and lower than expected
third quarter revenues in the company`s established markets.                    
Divisional gross profit grew by 17% from $19,1 million to $22,4 million due to  
revenue growth and cost reduction measures that drove up margins from 29,9% to  
31,0%.  Operating costs increased by 28% through geographic expansion and, in   
respect of Analysys Mason, restructuring costs arising from fixed cost          
reductions in established markets. The division delivered an EBITDA of $0,5     
million (2010: $1,9 million).                                                   
A period of consolidation is now expected as management seeks to leverage the   
recent expansion into new territories.  Intact`s track record and product       
offering continue to attract the interests of a larger number of global service 
providers whilst Analysys Mason`s recent order intake has been strong outside   
the UK public sector.                                                           
On 31 March 2010 Analysys Mason acquired BDA Connect ("BDA India") based in New 
Delhi, which provides Analysys Mason, with a platform to develop its consulting 
business in India and to support its existing operations in Singapore and Dubai.
Furthermore, BDA India`s research capabilities will enable Analysys Mason to    
deliver global research coverage to its clients.                                
On 13 December 2010 Datatec acquired a 30% equity stake in Cornwall Energy      
Associates Ltd, a UK-based research and consulting business focusing on the     
areas of electricity generation and distribution, including renewable energy,   
and smart grids (intelligent networked distribution).  This investment will     
provide the Group with insight and early access to an industry which could be   
fundamentally transformed by advances in technology.                            
Corporate                                                                       
Corporate encompasses the net operating costs of the Datatec head office        
entities of $15,7 million (2010: $10,4 million) and unrealised and realised     
foreign exchange losses of $0,2 million and $0.8 million respectively (2010:    
$3,6 million and $0,9 million). The increase in head office costs is mainly     
attributable to aborted acquisition costs (including aborted acquisitions in    
China) and additional corporate finance resources at the head office.           
In the prior year this segment also included two months` trading for the Group`s
55% holding in the South African ICT business, ALI, which was sold in April     
2009. During the two months ended 30 April 2009, ALI generated revenues of $7,4 
million and an EBITDA loss of $0,9 million.                                     
REPORTING                                                                       
The condensed financial information has been prepared in accordance with the    
framework concepts and the measurement and recognition requirements of          
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the AC 500 standards as     
issued by the Accounting Practices Board and the information as required by IAS 
34: Interim Financial Reporting. The report has been prepared using accounting  
policies that comply with IFRS which are consistent with those applied in the   
financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2010, except for the        
accounting policies related to business combinations achieved in stages and     
restructuring of entities under common control. The changes have been applied on
a prospective basis and did not have a significant impact on the presented      
results.                                                                        
The auditors, Deloitte & Touche, have issued their opinion on the Group`s       
financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2011. The audit was         
conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. They have     
issued an unmodified audit opinion. These summarised provisional financial      
statements have been derived from the Group financial statements and are        
consistent in all material respects, with the Group financial statements. A copy
of their audit report is available for inspection at the company`s registered   
office. Any reference to future financial performance included in this          
announcement, has not been reviewed or reported on by the Company`s auditors.   
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS                                                               
On 17 March 2011 Logicalis acquired Inca Software Limited for GBP7,3 million.   
Inca is the largest and most successful IBM Cognos partner in the UK. The       
acquisition creates one of the first UK systems integrators capable of          
delivering the full suite of next generation business transformation tools;     
analytics, collaboration and cloud computing. Both Logicalis and Inca are IBM   
Premier Partners so this acquisition also helped to strengthen this             
strategically important relationship.                                           
DIRECTORATE                                                                     
Ms Olufunke Ighodaro was appointed as a non-executive Director to the Board of  
Datatec with effect from 1 September 2010 and has joined the Audit, Compliance  
and Risk Committee.                                                             
CURRENT TRADING AND PROSPECTS                                                   
The Board expects trading and profitability across all divisions to improve, as 
global growth is becoming more aligned across geographies. In particular, the US
economy continues to improve.                                                   
The European move by regulators to grade internet traffic and charge for content
is expected to boost the networking industry. Key trends and industry growth    
drivers are wireless broadband across 4G/LTE networks, increasing demands for   
network security and the adoption of private cloud computing services.          
Based on current trading conditions and prevailing exchange rates, the Board    
expects revenues for the 2012 financial year of between $4,8 billion and $5,1   
billion, with further operating margin expansion. The Board expects underlying* 
earnings per share to be approximately 47 US cents and both earnings per share**
and headline earnings per share** to be approximately 42 US cents. Profit after 
tax** is expected to be approximately $84 million. The financial information on 
which this forecast is based has not been reviewed and reported on by Datatec`s 
external auditors.                                                              
DIVIDEND/CAPITAL DISTRIBUTION POLICY                                            
The Group`s dividend / capital distribution policy of paying an annual dividend 
/ capital distribution, which will represent cover of at least three times      
relative to underlying* earnings, remains unchanged.                            
CASH DISTRIBUTION BY WAY OF CAPITAL REDUCTION                                   
The Group will distribute to shareholders a capital reduction in lieu of a      
dividend out of share premium, 88 RSA cents per share (approximately 13 US cents
per share) for the year ended 28 February 2011, in terms of the general         
authority granted to directors at the Annual General Meeting held on 11 August  
2010.  The capital distribution will be paid to shareholders on the Jersey      
branch register in GBP translated at the closing exchange rate on Wednesday, 6  
July 2011.                                                                      
The salient dates will be as follows:                                           
Last day to trade                                 Friday, 1 July 2011           
Shares to commence trading "ex" the distribution  Monday, 4 July 2011           
Record date                                       Friday, 8 July 2011           
Payment date                                      Monday, 11 July 2011          
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday, 4
July 2011 and Friday, 8 July 2011, both days inclusive.                         
On behalf of the Board:                                                         
SJ Davidson         JP Montanana             IP Dittrich                        
Chairman            Chief Executive Officer  Chief Financial Officer            
11 May 2011                                                                     
**Forecasts for profit after tax, earnings per share and headline earnings per  
share do not take into account any fair value gains or losses on acquisition    
related financial instruments (including put option liabilities), which are     
required under IFRS.                                                            
Condensed Group statement of comprehensive income for the year                  
ended 28 February 2011                                                          
                                           Audited     Audited                  
                                           year ended  year ended               
                                           February    February                 
2011        2010                     
                                           USD`000     USD`000                  
Revenue                                      4 302 972   3 738 026              
Continuing operations                        4 293 955   3 698 134              
Acquisitions                                 9 017       39 892                 
Cost of sales                               (3 705 417) (3 239 650)             
Gross profit                                 597 555     498 376                
Operating costs                             (454 949)   (387 750)               
Unrealised foreign exchange losses          (425)       (2 090)                 
Operating profit before finance costs,       142 181     108 536                
depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA")                                        
Depreciation                                (21 045)    (17 132)                
Amortisation of acquired intangible         (16 160)    (15 438)                
assets                                                                          
Operating profit                             104 976     75 966                 
Interest income                              6 030       3 904                  
Financing costs                             (16 210)    (13 478)                
Fair value movements on put option          (14 701)    (12 010)                
liabilities                                                                     
Share of equity accounted investment         118        (278)                   
profits/(losses)                                                                
Loss on disposal of investments             (2 035)     -                       
Profit before taxation                       78 178      54 104                 
Taxation                                    (32 238)    (22 465)                
Profit for the year                          45 940      31 639                 
Other comprehensive income                                                      
Translation of foreign subsidiaries          32 399      77 498                 
Initial recognition and transfers related   -            843                    
to put option liabilities                                                       
Translation of equity loans net of tax      (2 732)     (10 582)                
effect                                                                          
Other items                                  809         1 075                  
Total comprehensive income for the year      76 416      100 473                
Profit attributable to:                                                         
Owners of the parent                         41 893      29 974                 
Non-controlling interests                    4 047       1 665                  
45 940      31 639                  
Total comprehensive income attributable                                         
to:                                                                             
Owners of the parent                         70 346      92 029                 
Non-controlling interests                    6 070       8 444                  
                                            76 416      100 473                 
Number of shares issued (millions)                                              
Issued                                       186         182                    
Weighted average                             184         177                    
Diluted weighted average                     187         178                    
Earnings per share ("EPS") (US cents)                                           
Basic EPS                                   22,8        17,0                    
Diluted basic EPS                           22,4        16,8                    
SALIENT FINANCIAL FEATURES                                                      
Headline earnings                            44 020      29 978                 
Headline earnings per share (US cents)                                          
Headline                                    23,9        17,0                    
Diluted headline                            23,5        16,8                    
Underlying earnings                          69 705      53 553                 
Underlying earnings per share (US cents)                                        
Underlying                                  37,9        30,3                    
Diluted underlying                          37,3        30,0                    
Net asset value per share (US cents)        392,1       366,4                   
KEY RATIOS                                                                      
Gross margin (%)                            13,9        13,3                    
EBITDA (%)                                  3,3         2,9                     
Effective tax rate (%)                      41,2        41,5                    
Effective tax rate (%) excluding fair       34,7        34,0                    
value movements on put option liabilities                                       
Exchange rates                                                                  
Average Rand/USD exchange rate              7,2         7,9                     
Closing Rand/USD exchange rate              7,0         7,6                     
Condensed Group statement of financial                                          
position as at 28 February 2011                                                 
                                           Audited     Audited                  
                                           year ended  year ended               
February    February                 
                                           2011        2010                     
                                           USD`000     USD`000                  
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                           515 590     459 963                
Property, plant and equipment                52 915      43 436                 
Capitalised development expenditure          15 570      12 181                 
Goodwill                                     338 320     315 131                
Acquired intangible assets                   43 796      51 780                 
Investments                                  7 914       6 818                  
Deferred tax assets                          35 966      30 617                 
Other receivables and prepayments            21 109     -                       
Current assets                               1 481 342   1 442 081              
Inventories                                  299 460     277 832                
Trade and other receivables                  944 230     852 390                
Cash and cash equivalents                    237 652     311 859                
Total assets                                 1 996 932   1 902 044              
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Ordinary shareholders` funds                 727 702     667 879                
Non-controlling interest                     42 677      50 900                 
Total equity                                 770 379     718 779                
Non-current liabilities                      97 463      73 360                 
Long term liabilities                        21 171      17 676                 
Amounts owing to vendors                     26 353      19 958                 
Liability for share-based payment            15 828      12 260                 
Deferred taxation liabilities                34 111      23 466                 
Current Liabilities                          1 129 090   1 109 905              
Payables and provisions                      928 866     992 830                
Amounts owing to vendors                     33 132      32 853                 
Taxation                                     12 659      12 197                 
Bank overdrafts                              154 433     72 025                 
Total equity and liabilities                 1 996 932   1 902 044              
Capital expenditure incurred in current      23 153      21 531                 
year                                                                            
Capital commitments at end of year           23 160      14 675                 
Lease commitments at end of year             93 412      97 993                 
Payable within one year                      22 858      22 064                 
Payable after one year                       70 554      75 929                 
                                                                                
Condensed Group statement of cash flows                                         
for the year ended 28 February 2011                                             
                                           Audited     Audited                  
                                           year ended  year ended               
                                           February    February                 
2011        2010                     
                                           USD`000     USD`000                  
EBITDA                                       142 181     108 536                
Loss on disposal of property, plant and      67          6                      
equipment                                                                       
Non-cash items                              (1 172)      23 051                 
Cash generated before working capital        141 076     131 593                
changes                                                                         
Working capital changes                     (205 106)    93 902                 
Increase in inventories                     (11 051)    (7 852)                 
Increase in receivables                     (80 441)    (27 630)                
(Decrease)/increase in payables             (113 614)    129 384                
Cash (utilised by)/generated from           (64 030)     225 495                
operations                                                                      
Net finance costs paid                      (10 180)    (9 574)                 
Taxation paid                               (26 687)    (19 842)                
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating    (100 897)    196 079                
activities                                                                      
Investment in subsidiaries                  (14 705)    (29 689)                
Net cash outflow from other investing       (31 295)    (23 765)                
activities                                                                      
Net cash inflow from other financing         6 677       8 591                  
activities                                                                      
Capital distribution to shareholders        (21 713)    (21 982)                
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash    (161 933)    129 234                
equivalents                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at the             239 834     95 061                 
beginning of year                                                               
Translation differences on opening cash      5 318       15 539                 
position                                                                        
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of      83 219      239 834                
year #                                                                          
# Comprises cash resources, net of bank overdrafts and trade                    
finance advances.                                                               
Condensed Group statement of changes in total equity                            
for the year ended 28 February 2011                                             
Audited     Audited                  
                                           year ended  year ended               
                                           February    February                 
                                           2011        2010                     
USD`000     USD`000                  
Balance at beginning of the year             718 779     622 399                
Total comprehensive income                   76 416      100 473                
New share issues                             13 694      21 296                 
Capital distribution to shareholders        (21 713)    (21 982)                
Share-based payments                         277         673                    
Acquisitions                                (2 781)     -                       
Non-controlling interest                    (14 293)    (4 080)                 
Balance at end of the year                   770 379     718 779                
Determination of headline and underlying earnings                               
for the year ended 28 February 2011                                             
                                           Audited     Audited                  
year ended  year ended               
                                           February    February                 
                                           2011        2010                     
                                           USD`000     USD`000                  
Profit attributable to equity holders of     41 893      29 974                 
the parent                                                                      
Headline earnings adjustments                                                   
Loss on disposal of property, plant and      2 103       6                      
equipment and investments                                                       
Tax effect                                   24         (2)                     
Headline earnings                            44 020      29 978                 
DETERMINATION OF UNDERLYING EARNINGS                                            
Headline earnings                            44 020      29 978                 
Underlying earnings adjustments              31 286      29 538                 
Unrealised foreign exchange losses           425         2 090                  
Fair value movements on put option           14 701      12 010                 
liabilities                                                                     
Amortisation of intangible assets            16 160      15 438                 
Tax effect                                  (5 559)     (5 906)                 
Non-controlling interest                    (42)        (57)                    
Underlying earnings                          69 705      53 553                 
Segmental analysis for the year ended 28                                        
February 2011                                                                   
                                           Audited     Audited                  
year ended  year ended               
                                           February    February                 
                                           2011        2010                     
                                           USD`000     USD`000                  
Revenue                                                                         
Westcon*                                     3 184 042   2 828 238              
Logicalis                                    1 046 422   838 492                
Consulting Services                          72 508      63 882                 
Corporate                                   -            7 414                  
Revenue from continuing operations           4 302 972   3 738 026              
EBITDA                                                                          
Westcon*                                     105 328     80 100                 
Logicalis                                    53 032      42 357                 
Consulting Services                          541         1 905                  
Corporate                                   (16 720)    (15 826)                
EBITDA from ongoing operations               142 181     108 536                
Operating profit                                                                
Westcon*                                     91 277      66 040                 
Logicalis                                    31 340      25 203                 
Consulting Services                         (764)        790                    
Corporate                                   (16 877)    (16 067)                
Operating profit from ongoing operations     104 976     75 966                 
Total assets                                                                    
Westcon*                                     1 284 221   1 254 719              
Logicalis                                    641 912     566 711                
Consulting Services                          48 554      51 542                 
Corporate                                    22 245      29 072                 
                                            1 996 932   1 902 044               
* Now combined with Westcon Emerging Markets, comparatives restated             
accordingly.                                                                    
Enquiries:                                                                      
Datatec Limited (www.datatec.co.za)                                             
Jens Montanana, Chief Executive Officer      +44 (0) 1753 797118                
Ivan Dittrich, Chief Financial Officer  +27 (0) 11 233 1221                     
Wilna de Villiers, Group Marketing Manager   +27 (0) 11 233 1013                
College Hill                                                                    
Adrian Duffield/Jon Davies (UK)    +44 (0) 20 7457 2020                         
Fred Cornet (SA)         +27 (0) 11 447 3030                                    
Jefferies International Limited                                                 
Chris Snoxall       +44 (0) 20 7029 8000                                        
Directors                                                                       
SJ Davidson (Chairman), JP Montanana (CEO), IP Dittrich (CFO),                  
O Ighodaro, JF McCartney+, LW Nkuhlu, CS Seabrooke, NJ Temple                   
British  Non-executive  +American  Nigerian                                     
Sponsor                                                                         
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)                       
Date: 11/05/2011 08:00:06 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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