29 April 1997
By Thursday, 10 April 1997, at 10am (the closing date and time for receipt of prequalification applications) 16 applications from parties and consortia wishing to pre-qualify for Sun Air tender documents had been received by BOE NatWest Limited on behalf of the Sun Air Restructuring committee.
After due consideration of the applications and information presented as requested in the pre-qualification memorandum, the following parties and consortia pre-qualify for admission to the tender stage:
Virgin Atlantic/ Bhekilanga Consortium : The UK-based Virgin Atlantic Airways Limite together with six black economic empowerment groups including inter alia SARHWU Investment Company, Woman in Capital Growth, the National Empowerment Corporation Limited and Bophirima Investment Holding Limited, African renaissance Holdings and Ukhozi Investments.
Malaysia Air : National carrier of Malaysia.
Air France : National carrier of France.
Comair/NSA Investments : NSA Investments Limited (listed on the JSE) and Comair, the domestic airline operating under a franchise agreement with British Airways.
Rthabile Consortium : A consortium consisting of leading black business and professional executives involved in the tourism industry together with broadly based black investment groups.
Ukhozi Sanco Consortium : Sanco Investment Holdings Limited, investment arm of the South African National Civic Organisation together with a newly formed black empowerment group called Ukhozi.
Phoenix Venture Partners: An investment banking and emerging markets advisory consulting company together with six black economic empowerment groups including inter alia the Women Investment Portfolio Limited, The National Council of Trade Unions (Nachold), Tubeni Investment Holdings,Khanyisa Investments, Phezulu Investment consortium and even entrepreneurs.
Maru Investment Holding : A black economic empowerment group from North West Province.
Tender documents will be made available to the above-mentioned parties from tomorrow, 30 April 1997. In order to be considered for admission to the next stage, non-binding bids containing the information requested in the tender documents will have to be presented by Thursday, 22 May 1997, after which a short list will be announced. Parties short listed will be given an opportunity to perform a due diligence review of Sun Air prior to submitting bids for the acquisition of Sun Air.
The honourable Stella Sigcau: Minister of Public Enterprises The honourable Mac Maharaj: Minister of Transport
Prepared by Didi Moyle: PA and Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport
Issued by: SA Communication Service for Ministry of Public Enterprises