RNS Number:7835V
Meikles Africa Ld
13 May 2002


                                     MEIKLES AFRICA LIMITED 

                           PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT - 31 MARCH 2002 

                                                                                                                      
  Financial Highlights - Inflation Adjusted                Financial Highlights - Historical    
                    
  • Turnover of $28 billion up 14%.                        • Turnover of $21 billion up 123%                      

  • Net Interest payable has decreased by $1,5 billion.    • Operating profit of $2,3 billion compared to a       
                                                             profit of $951 million last year.
  • Exchange gains of $6 billion compared to $3 billion                              
    last year.                                             • Exchange gains of $4 billion compared to $1 billion  
                                                             last year.                                               
  • Attributable profit of $2,143 million up 277%              
    compared to a profit of $569 million last year.        • Attributable profit of $5,9 billion compared to a
                                                             profit of $1,4 billion last year
  • Final dividend of 315 cents                                                                                     


CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT 

Your Group has produced a commendable set of results for the year despite severe
operating conditions, which saw the viability of many companies threatened. It
is pleasing to be able to report a 326% increase in attributable earnings on an
historical cost basis and a 277% increase in attributable profits on an
inflation adjusted basis. The objectives of ensuring that turnover and profit
growth exceeded inflation, and of growing the size of the Group both organically
and by acquisition were achieved.

Your Board has declared a final dividend of $3.15 which, together with the
interim dividend of $1.25, makes a total of $4.40 for the year, an increase of
100% over that for the prior year.

In accordance with International Accounting Standards Meikles, Africa Limited is
required to publish inflation adjusted accounts. The historical accounts are
shown as supplementary information.

HISTORICAL COST ACCOUNTS 

Group turnover increased by 123% to $21.1 billion and operating profit increased
by 141% to $2.29 billion, both figures exceeding the year on year average
official inflation figure of 91.6% by a considerable margin.

Exchange gains of $4.3 billion, a decline in net interest payable of $484
million, and our share of Kingdom profits of $586 million result in an increase
in profit before taxation from $1.6 billion to $7 billion. At the attributable
level, headline earnings per share have shown significant growth from $9.64 to
$38.59.

OPERATIONS 

TM Supermarkets

• Turnover increased by 117% from $7.2 billion to $15.6 billion
• Operating profit grew by 155% to $1.3 billion from $510 million

Official inflation for the year to March 2002 was 91.6% and the turnover growth
of 117% reflects the growth in our market share. Stocks of high value imported
items were increased selectively to ensure the consistent availability of a good
range of products. Overall expenses have increased by 115% although a number of
fixed and variable operating costs such as utilities, wrapping, employee costs
and equipment maintenance reflect much higher percentage increases.

One new supermarket at Zengeza was opened in July 2001, and the flagship branch
at Borrowdale reopened in December 2001. Borrowdale has received a very
enthusiastic reception from the consumers in the area and sales are higher than
expected. A new supermarket will open in Chadcombe in May 2002 and the division
continues to explore further opportunities.

Retail

• Turnover rose 120% from $1.5 billion to $3.3 billion.
• Operating profit rose by 31% from $399 million to $522 million.

The debtors book is now owned by Meikles Financial Services with the
shareholding split between Kingdom Financial Holdings (51%) and Meikles (49%).
The sale of the debtors book to MFS, including the debtors income has distorted
the comparison of operating profit year on year. If a like on like comparison of
results was to be made, the operating profit in the Retail Division would show
growth in the order of 356%. Our Retail Division continues to manage all aspects
of its credit operations on behalf of Kingdom.

After a fairly slow start to the year, retail division sales were enhanced by
strategic purchases commencing at the end of the second quarter and the improved
trend continued strongly for the rest of the year. Strong growth was recorded in
clothing, footwear, cosmetics and accessories. The ratio of cash to credit sales
improved, and debt collection and bad debts written off were well within budget
and similar to the previous year. Clicks results benefitted from the new outlets
opened in Bulawayo and Gweru. In line with trends in South Africa, a partnership
between the Clicks Health and Beauty chain and Medix Pharmacies was formed
towards the end of the year and trading commenced in two stores. After assessing
their performances, the Group has taken a significant stake in Medix in order to
provide finance for the future expansion of that company.

Hotels 

• Turnover increased by 164% from $795 million to $2.1 billion.
• Operating Profit increased by 325% from $122 million to $518 million.

Turnover in the Zimbabwe hotels benefitted as a result of the implementation of
the tourism rate of exchange for the Zimbabwe dollar. However average
occupancies remained depressed at 31.8% for Meikles Hotel (2001: 38.4%), and
34.2% for Victoria Falls Hotel (2001: 32.3%). Tourism has been badly affected by
the international perception of the country and recently by the strong travel
warnings issued by various governments advising against travel to Zimbabwe. Both
hotels remained profitable during the year and Victoria Falls Hotel has
maintained a high average room rate despite the low occupancies.

The remaining 50% of the Cape Grace Hotel was purchased on 1 December 2001 and
full ownership of the hotel is reflected in the accounts for the peak four
months of trading to 31 March 2002. The hotel has had an excellent year with
turnover growth reflecting high occupancies of 62% for the year (2001: 54%) and
a much improved room rate. The Cape Grace continues to achieve the highest
average room rate in the five-star market in Cape Town, with an increasing
market share. The proportion of full rate business increased during the year
partly because of the membership of Leading Small Hotels of the World, and also
because of the impact of the publicity generated by the Conde Nast Traveller
"Best Hotel in the World" award last year.

The Cape Grace Hotel was also voted Best Hotel in Africa and the Middle East for
2001 and Meikles Hotel and Victoria Falls Hotel both won awards.

Kingdom Financial Holdings
Kingdom continues to make progress with its retail bank and a further 3 branches
being added this year. A total of 14 branches are currently operating of which 5
are in or adjacent to Group operations. We fully support Kingdom's regional
initiative covering the investments in Botswana, Zambia and Malawi.

INFLATION ADJUSTED ACCOUNTS 

Headline earnings per share of $17.95 (2001: $5.48) reflect the Group's growth
in earnings in the current year.

Although the Group has achieved an increase in turnover of 13.6% to $28.3
billion, there is an operating loss for the year of $267 million compared to a
profit of $475 million in the prior year. The debtors book was transferred to
Meikles Financial Services on 1 August 2001 and the related income now accrues
to that Company. As a result there has been a decline in operating profit of
$936 million. Net interest payable has decreased by $1.5 billion, while the net
exchange gains have increased by $3 billion.

Included in profit before taxation is $1.1 billion, which represents our 25%
interest in Kingdom Financial Holdings.

STRATEGY

We will continue to look for opportunities for growth in both retail divisions
and to concentrate on successfully managing our operations. Our goal is to
consolidate our position as the major supermarket and retail business in
Zimbabwe, offering a wide range of products at competitive prices with a high
standard of service. We are exploring a number of new supermarket opportunities
in Zimbabwe and expect to open at least two supermarkets in the coming year.
Regional supermarket development has become less attractive and is unlikely to
be pursued in the near future. The successful acquisition of the other half of
the Cape Grace will lead to additional growth in our earnings in South Africa.

I would like to thank my fellow Directors and to congratulate Management and
Staff on a job well done during the past year.

JOHN MOXON 
CHAIRMAN 

Enquiries: 

Meikles Africa                  Tel: +263 4 252068 
Chris Parvin, Chief Executive

College Hill                    Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 2020 
Corinna Dorward                 Email: corinna.dorward@collegehill.com 

FINAL DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT

On the 9th May 2002, the Board approved a final dividend Number 65 of 315 cents
per share on 156,419,087 shares payable to members registered in the books of
the company at the close of business on 28th June 2002. The Transfer Books and
Register of Members will be closed from 29th June 2002 to 14th July 2002.
Dividend cheques will be mailed to shareholders on or about 15th July 2002. The
dividends payable to non-resident shareholders will be paid in accordance with
Exchange Control Regulations. Shareholders' withholding tax will be deducted
where applicable. By order of the Board

A.P.LANE-MITCHELL
Company Secretary

9 May 2002 


All current financial, operational and structural information on Meikles Africa
Limited can be obtained as changes in these areas occur by visiting Meikles
Africa's website at: http:/www.meiklesafrica.co.zw

                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
                        For the year ended 31 March 2002 

                                                                                                                      
                                           INFLATION ADJUSTED                                  HISTORICAL COST          
       
                                        Audited          Audited                             Audited          Audited 
  (all amounts in millions           Year ended       Year ended                          Year ended       Year ended   
  of dollars)                     31 March 2002    31 March 2001                       31 March 2002    31 March 2001   
                
                                   
  Turnover                               28,296           24,905                              21,096            9,451 
  Cost of sales                        (21,932)         (19,345)                            (14,551)          (6,865) 


  Gross Profit                            6,364            5,560                               6,545            2,586 
  Operating expenses                    (7,158)          (6,375)                             (4,547)          (2,159) 
  Other income                              527            1,290                                 296              524 


  Operating (loss)/profit                 (267)              475                               2,294              951 
  Net interest                            (281)          (1,785)                               (188)            (672) 
  Exchange gains                          6,086            3,034                               4,329            1,138 
  Share of result of                      1,135              250                                 586              200 
  associate                                                                                                           
  Net monetary loss                     (3,084)          (1,237)                                   -                - 

  Profit before taxation                  3,589              737                               7,021            1,617 
  Taxation                              (1,170)               51                               (841)            (108) 

  Profit after taxation                   2,419              788                               6,180            1,509 
  Minority interest                       (276)            (219)                               (235)            (112) 

  Net profit attributable                 2,143              569                               5,945            1,397 
  to shareholders                                                                                                     

  Basic earnings per share ($)            13,77             3,71                               38,20             9,12 
                                                                                                                   

  IIMR Headline earnings                  17,95             5,48                               38,59             9,64 
  per share ($)                                                                                                       
                                                                                           
                              
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL 
RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES  
For the year ended 31 March 2002                             
                                                                                                         
               
Net profit for the year attributable 
to shareholders                           2,143              569                               5,945            1,397 

Net gains not recognised in 
the income statement                                          
- Increase / (decrease) in value of 
quoted investments                          763               (7)                                336               (3) 

- Capital gains deferred tax                 26                99                                (63)                1 

Total recognised gains and losses                          2,932    661    6,218    1,395 



                                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET  
                                        At 31 March 2002 

                                                                                                                 
                                                     INFLATION ADJUSTED                     HISTORICAL COST             
                                                   Audited          Audited            Audited           Audited 
                                                        at               at                 at                at 
                                             31 March 2002    31 March 2001      31 March 2002     31 March 2001  
       ASSETS                                                                                                    
       Non-current assets                           14,835           11,662              8,903             3,393 
       Current assets                               11,886           11,171             11,523             5,125 

       Total assets                                 26,721           22,833             20,426             8,518 

       EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                                                    
       Capital and reserves                         15,026           12,254             10,430             4,211 
       Minority interest                               457              323                159                67 
       Non-current liabilities                       6,796            7,189              5,395             2,802 
       Current liabilities                           4,442            3,067              4,442             1,438 

       Total equity and liabilities                 26,721           22,833             20,426             8,518 
                                                                                                                      



                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY  
                        For the year ended 31 March 2002                                                                
                   
  INFLATION ADJUSTED -Audited                                                                                         
                                                    Share            Share             Non-        Retained     Total 
                                                   Capital         Premium    Distributable    Earnings and           
                                                                                   Reserves    Shareholders           
                                                                                               for Dividend 
          
  Balance at 1 April 2001                              164          10,300            1,991           (201)    12,254 
  Net gains not recognised in income statement:                                                                       
  -Increase in valuation of quoted investments           -               -                -             789       789 
  Currency translation difference for Cape               -               -              499               -       499 
  Grace Hotel                                                                                                         
  Share options exercised                                1              86                -               -        87 
  Net profit                                             -               -                -           2,143     2,143 
  Dividend for 2001 - final                              -               -                -           (494)     (494) 
  Dividend for 2002 - interim                            -               -                -           (252)     (252) 

  Balance at 31 March 2002                             165          10,386            2,490           1,985    15,026 


  Balance at 1 April 2000                              163          10,223            1,724            (81)    12,029 
  Net gains not recognised in income statement:                                                                       
  -Increase in valuation of quoted investments           -               -                -              92        92 
  Currency translation difference for Cape               -               -              267               -       267 
  Grace Hotel                                                                                                         
  Share options exercised                                1              77                -               -        78 
  Net profit                                             -               -                -             569       569 
  Dividend for 2000 - final                              -               -                -           (507)     (507) 
  Dividend for 2001 - interim                            -               -                -           (274)     (274) 

  Balance at 31 March 2001                             164          10,300            1,991           (201)    12,254 


  HISTORICAL COST - Audited                                                                                           
                                                    Share            Share             Non-        Retained     Total 
                                                   Capital         Premium    distributable    Earnings and           
                                                                                   Reserves    Shareholders           
                                                                                               for Dividend   
        
  Balance at 1 April 2001                               15             928              262           3,006     4,211 
  Net gains not recognised in income statement:                                                                       
  -Increase in valuation of quoted investments           -               -                -             273       273 
  Currency translation difference for Cape               -               -              365               -       365 
  Grace Hotel                                                                                                         
  Share options exercised                                1              63                -               -        64 
  Net profit                                             -               -                -           5,945     5,945 
  Dividend for 2001 - final                              -               -                -           (232)     (232) 
  Dividend for 2002 - interim                            -               -                -           (196)     (196) 

  Balance at 31 March 2002                              16             991              627           8,796    10,430 


  Balance at 1 April 2000                               15             896              145           1,871     2,927 
  Net gains not recognised in income statement:                                                                       
  -Decrease in valuation of quoted investments           -               -                -             (2)       (2) 
  Currency translation difference for Cape               -               -              117               -       117 
  Grace Hotel                                                                                                         
  Share options exercised                                -              32                -               -        32 
  Net profit                                             -               -                -           1,397     1,397 
  Dividend for 2000 - final                              - -             -                -           (153)     (153) 
  Dividend for 2001 - interim                            -               -                -           (107)     (107) 

  Balance at 31 March 2001                              15             928              262           3,006     4,211 



                         CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
                         For the year ended 31 March 2002 

                                                                                                                      
                                                            INFLATION ADJUSTED                  HISTORICAL COST         
                                                         Audited          Audited            Audited          Audited 
                                                      Year ended       Year ended         Year ended       Year ended 
                                                   31 March 2002    31 March 2001      31 March 2002    31 March 2001 
  Cash flows from operating activities                                                                                
  Profit before taxation                                   3,589              737              7,021            1,617 
  Adjustment for:                                                                                                     
  Non-operating cash flow                                (5,661)          (1,160)            (4,165)            (466) 
  Non-cash items                                         (1,574)              908              (181)               62 

  Operating cash flow before working                     (3,646)              485              2,675            1,213 
  capital changes                                                                                                     
  (Used in)/generated from working capital                  (93)              404              (979)             (72) 
  changes                                                                                                             

  Operating cash flow                                    (3,739)              889              1,696            1,141 
  Income tax paid                                          (483)            (360)              (197)            (101) 

  Net cash generated from operating                      (4,222)              529              1,499            1,040 
  activities                                                                                                          


  Net cash generated from/(used in)                          522              350            (1,371)            (392) 
  investing activities                                                                                                
  Net cash used in financing activities                  (2,817)          (3,180)            (1,053)            (356) 

  Net effect of exchange rate changes                                                                                 
  on cash and cash equivalents                             6,086            3,034              4,329            1,138 

  Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and                     (431)              733              3,404            1,430 
  cash equivalents                                                                                                    

  Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2001               7,202            6,469              3,376            1,946 
  Cash acquired with Cape Grace Hotel and                     46                -                 37                - 
  Medix Limited                                                                                                       

  Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2002               6,817            7,202              6,817            3,376 
                                                                                                                  


Segmental Analysis 

                                                                              INFLATION ADJUSTED  
      Year ended 31 March 2002                                                                   
      (all amounts in millions of dollars)                Hotels    Supermarkets    Retail    Corporate      Group  

      Turnover                                             2,708          21,139     4,449            -     28,296 

      Operating profit                                        34            (61)     (390)          150      (267) 

      Net Interest                                                                                           (281) 
      Net exchange gain                                                                                      6,086 
      Share of result of associate                                                                           1,135 
      Monetary loss                                                                                        (3,084) 
      Taxation                                                                                             (1,170) 
      Minority interest                                                                                      (276) 

      Attributable profit                                                                                    2,143 

      Segment assets                                       9,411           5,984     2,874        8,452     26,721 
      Segment liabilities                                  6,417           4,286     3,554      (3,019)     11,238 
      Capital expenditure                                  1,846             865       222           37      2,970 
      Depreciation and amortisation                          728             318       281        (199)      1,128 


      Year ended 31 March 2001                                                                                     

      Turnover                                             2,054          18,915     3,936            -     24,905 

      Operating profit                                       127             446       116        (214)        475 

      Net interest                                                                                           1,785 
      Net exchange gain                                                                                      3,034 
      Share of result of associate                                                                             250 
      Monetary loss                                                                                        (1,237) 
      Taxation                                                                                                  51 
      Minority interest                                                                                      (219) 

      Attributable profit                                                                                      569 


      Segment assets                                       6,058           4,516     3,323        8,936     22,833 
      Segment liabilities                                  4,425           4,417     6,361      (4,947)     10,256 
      Capital expenditure                                    259             473       197           35        964 
      Depreciation and amortisation                          317             290       480          123      1,210 


Segmental Analysis 

                                                                                                                 
                                                                           HISTORICAL COST  
        Year ended 31 March 2002                                                                                 
        (all amounts in millions of dollars)             Hotels    Supermarkets    Retail    Corporate     Group 

        Turnover                                          2,113          15,649     3,334            -    21,096 

        Operating profit                                    518           1,301       522         (47)     2,294 

        Net interest                                                                                       (188) 
        Net exchange gain                                                                                  4,329 
        Share of result in associate                                                                         586 
        Taxation                                                                                           (841) 
        Minority interest                                                                                  (235) 

        Attributable profit                                                                                5,945 


        Segmental assets                                  7,136           4,480     3,339        5,471    20,426 
        Segment liabilities                               6,249           3,797     2,744      (2,953)     9,837 
        Capital expenditure                                 130             617       157           32       936 
        Depreciation and amortisation                       160              68        53            6       287 


        Year ended 31 March 2001                                                                                 

        Turnover                                            795           7,173     1,483            -     9,451 

        Operating profit                                    122             510       399         (80)       951 

        Net in interest                                                                                    (672) 
        Net exchange gain                                                                                  1,138 
        Share of result in associate                                                                         201 
        Taxation                                                                                           (108) 
        Minority interest                                                                                  (113) 

        Attributable profit                                                                                1,397 


        Segment assets                                    2,192           2,038     2,140        2,147     8,518 
        Segment liabilities                               1,063           1,769     1,567        (159)     4,240 
        Capital expenditure and goodwill                    114             178        67           13       372 
        Depreciation and amortisation                        69              40        42           58       209 



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