Exhibit A to Deposit Agreement
Rule 424(B)(3)
File No. 333-127769
Exhibit A to Deposit Agreement
No. | ____________________________________ AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES (Each American Depositary Share represents one-tenth (1/10) of one deposited Share) |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR CLASS N ORDINARY SHARES OF THE
NASPERS LIMITED
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA)
The Bank of New York as depositary (hereinafter called the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that __________________________, or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF ______________________________
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited Class N Ordinary Shares (herein called "Shares"), of NASPERS LIMITED, incorporated under the laws of The Republic of South Africa (herein called the "Issuer"). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents one-tenth (1/10) of one Share that is either deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) at Societe Generale South Africa Limited, FirstRand Bank Ltd. or Standard Bank of South Africa (herein collectively called the "Custodian"). The Depositary's Corporate Trust Office is located at a different address than its principal executive office. Its Corporate Trust Office is located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000, and its principal executive office is located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, X.X. 00000.
THE DEPOSITARY'S CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE
ADDRESS IS
000 XXXXXXX XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, X.X. 00000
1. | THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT. |
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called "Receipts"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the deposit agreement, dated as of November 5, 2002 (as it may be further amended in accordance with its terms, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Issuer, the Depositary, and all Owners and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Beneficial Owners of the Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary's Corporate Trust Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2. SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of this Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary provided in this Receipt, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Issuer’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Deposited Securities, the Owner hereof is entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt is issued. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the name of the Owner hereof or as ordered by him or by the delivery of certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of this Receipt. Such delivery will be made as promptly as practicable at the option of the Owner hereof, either at the office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other Deposited Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities.
3. TRANSFERS, SPLIT-UPS, AND COMBINATIONS OF RECEIPTS.
The transfer of this Receipt is registrable on the books of the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office, upon surrender of this Receipt, by the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and funds sufficient to pay any applicable transfer taxes and the expenses of the Depositary and upon compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish for such purpose. This Receipt may be split into other such Receipts, or may be combined with other such Receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Custodian, or Registrar may require payment from the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in this Receipt, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any reasonable regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer (or the Foreign Registrar) are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary, after consultation with the Issuer to the extent practicable (to the extent it is not practicable for the Depositary to consult with the Issuer, the Depositary will notify the Issuer as promptly as practicable after taking such action and explain its reasons for doing so), or the Issuer at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental or regulatory body or commission or following receipt of notification from the Issuer of the suspension of the quotation of the Shares in the Republic of South Africa, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or the Memorandum or Articles of Association of the Issuer, or this Receipt, or for any other reason, subject to Article (22) hereof. The Depositary and the Custodian will comply with reasonable written instructions from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary and the Custodian not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Issuer’s compliance with United States federal securities laws, any provision of the Issuer’s Memorandum and Articles of Association or the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares (i) which, to the actual knowledge of the Depositary, are required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or (ii) the deposit of which would, to the actual knowledge of the Depositary, infringe any provisions of the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
4. LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or a Custodian with respect to this Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented hereby, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Beneficial Owner hereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of this Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner hereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
5. WARRANTIES OF DEPOSITORS.
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement, including every person depositing Shares on behalf of an owner of Shares, shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares are validly issued, fully paid, and non assessable, (ii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iii) such Shares are not Restricted Securities, (iv) such Shares are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage, pledge or restriction on transfer, (v) such Shares were not issued in violation of any pre-emptive or similar rights of the holders of outstanding Shares, and (vi) such Shares include all rights to receive dividends thereon. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of such Shares and delivery of Receipts in respect thereof.
6. FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of (a) citizenship or residence, payment of taxes or other governmental charges or exchange control approval and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations concerning Deposited Securities and the terms of this Deposit Agreement, or (b) the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipts and Shares and the nature of such interest or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties or to provide such other information, as the Depositary or the Issuer may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may, and shall, if reasonably requested by the Issuer, withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties are made to the satisfaction of the Depositary or the Issuer, as the case may be. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary, if any is required by the Depositary, that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under South African laws and regulations, and that any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Republic of South Africa which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange or any other function which requires approval for the deposit of Shares. Upon the written request of the Issuer, the Depositary shall provide the Issuer, as promptly as practicable, with copies of all such proofs and certificates and such written representations and warranties and information that the Depositary receives, to the extent that disclosure is permitted by applicable law.
7. CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The Issuer will not pay any fees, expenses or other out-of-pocket charges of the Depositary or of any Registrar except in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Issuer from time to time. The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The fees, charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts or to whom Receipts are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Issuer or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), or by Owners, as applicable: (1) taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Issuer or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals under the Deposit Agreement, (3) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of persons depositing Shares or Owners, (4) such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, (6) a fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 thereof, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for purposes of this clause 7 treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners, (8) a fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for depositary services, which will accrue on the last day of each calendar year and which will be payable as provided in clause 9 below; provided, however, that no fee will be assessed under this clause 8 if a fee of $.02 was charged pursuant to clause 6 above during that calendar year and (9) any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary's agents, including the Custodian, or the agents of the Depositary's agents in connection with the servicing of Shares or other Deposited Securities (which charge shall be assessed against Owners as of the date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for such charge or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary, subject to Article (8) hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
8. PRE-RELEASE.
Unless requested in writing by the Issuer to cease doing so, the Depositary may, notwithstanding Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement ("Pre-Release of Receipts") and may deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of Receipts if the person to whom such Shares are to be delivered is a banking institution organized pursuant to the laws of The Republic of South Africa ("South African Bank") ("Pre-Release of Shares") (Pre-Release of Receipts and Pre-Release of Shares are collectively referred to herein as "Pre-Release"). The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom Receipts or Shares are to be delivered (the "Pre-Releasee") that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial rights, title and interest in such Shares or Receipts, as the case may be, to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners, and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such Shares or Receipts, as the case may be, that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including, without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or Receipts, as the case may be), other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary determines, in good faith, will provide substantially similar liquidity and security and, in connection with the Pre-Release of Shares preceded or accompanied by an unconditional guaranty by the Pre-Releasee to deliver Receipts for cancellation on the same calendar day on which Shares are delivered to the Pre-Releasee (or, if such Receipts are not so delivered, to return the Shares), (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Issuer, change such limit for purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set Dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered into under the Deposit Agreement with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee's obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
9. TITLE TO RECEIPTS.
It is a condition of this Receipt and every successive holder and Owner of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that the Issuer and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement or for all other purposes, and in so doing shall not have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Beneficial Owner of a Receipt unless such Beneficial Owner is the Owner thereof.
10. VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar.
11. REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Issuer is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Commission.
Such reports will be available for inspection and copying at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000.
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners of Receipts at its Corporate Trust Office any reports, notices and other communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer which are both (a) received by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer. The Depositary will also, as promptly as practicable after receipt from the Issuer, send to Owners of Receipts copies of such reports, notices and communications furnished by the Issuer when required under Section 5.6 of the Deposit Agreement. Such materials will be furnished by the Issuer in English or in English-language versions or summaries when so required pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
The Depositary will keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners of Receipts provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert such dividend or distribution as promptly as practicable into Dollars and will distribute as promptly as practicable the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement, if applicable) to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, provided, however, that in the event that the Issuer or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owners of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary or the Custodian receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will as promptly as practicable cause the securities or other property received by it to be distributed to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may, following consultation with the Issuer, reasonably deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that to the extent that, in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary, in its reasonable opinion, deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, after consultation with the Issuer, adopt such method as it may deem lawful, equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) shall be distributed by the Depositary as promptly as practicable, to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash; provided, however, that any unsold balance of such securities or other property shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto, if such distribution is feasible without withholding for or on account of any taxes or other governmental charges and without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, in accordance with such lawful, equitable and practicable method as the Depositary may have adopted; provided, further, that no such distribution to Owners pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the Depositary or any of its agents. To the extent that such securities or property or the net proceeds thereof are not distributed to Owners as provided in this paragraph, each American Depositary Share shall thereafter also represent the additional securities or property distributed in respect of the Shares represented by such American Depositary Share prior to such distribution.
If any distribution consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may and shall if the Issuer shall so request, distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that no such distribution to Owners shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the Depositary or any of its agents. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made or if for any reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Issuer withhold an amount on account for taxes or other governmental charges or that such Shares must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owner) the Depositary, in its reasonable opinion, determines that a distribution in Shares is not feasible or may not be legally made to some or all Owners, the Depositary may, following consultation with the Issuer, adopt such method as it may deem lawful, equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.2. To the extent that additional Receipts are not so distributed and a distribution is not made under the preceding sentence, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may (after consultation with the Issuer) by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, all in accordance with applicable provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
13. CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the Foreign Currency so received can in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed as promptly as practicable, net of the fees of the Depositary and any expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the conversion of currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other fair and practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall inform the Issuer of the exchange rate at which any Foreign Currency conversion has been carried out.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file, as promptly as practicable, such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable; provided, however, that if such application is made in the name of the Issuer, such applicable shall not be filed unless approved by the Issuer, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine, following consultation with the Issuer, that in its reasonable judgment any Foreign Currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not pursuant to applicable law or otherwise convertible on a reasonable basis in whole or in part into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary, following consultation with the Issuer, is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary (following consultation with the Issuer), the Depositary may distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary or the Custodian to, or in its discretion, following consultation with the Issuer, may hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any such conversion of Foreign Currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion, following consultation with the Issuer, make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the Foreign Currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto.
14. RIGHTS.
In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, after consultation with the Issuer, the Depositary shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or by reason of applicable law or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines, following consultation with the Issuer, in its discretion that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute, to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Issuer shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this Article, such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws.
If the Depositary determines, following consultation with the Issuer, in its reasonable discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may, subject to all applicable legal requirements, sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise. No distribution of rights or the net proceeds of any sale of rights to Owners shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the Depositary or any of its agents.
The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act. If an Owner of Receipts requests distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration. Neither the Depositary, nor Owners nor third persons may compel the Issuer to register under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise any right or security of the Issuer or the issuance thereof by virtue of any of the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
In the event that rights and the securities to which such rights relate are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.
15. RECORD DATES.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason there occurs a change in the number of Shares or type of Deposited Securities that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of proxies or consents from, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whether the Company or the Depositary finds it necessary or convenient in respect of any matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (which, to the extent practicable, shall be the same as any corresponding record date set by the Issuer with respect to Shares, and, if different from any such record date established by the Issuer, shall be as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable) (a) for the determination of the Owners of Receipts who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or in respect of any such solicitation or to receive information as to any such meeting or solicitation, (iii) responsible for any fee or charges assessed by the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number or type of Deposited Securities. If the American Depositary Shares are listed on any stock exchange, then any such record date shall be fixed in accordance with any applicable rules of that stock exchange. The Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable, notify the Company and, if the American Depositary Shares are listed on any stock exchange, that stock exchange, of any record date fixed by the Depositary under Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement.
16. VOTING OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of proxies from, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be approved by the Issuer, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting or solicitation, and (b) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date established by the Depositary pursuant to Section 4.6 of the Deposit Agreement will be entitled, subject to any applicable provisions of South African law, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer, the Deposited Securities and this Deposit Agreement, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including, when applicable an express indication that instructions may be given or, if applicable, will be deemed given in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement if no instruction is received), to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, (the "Instruction Date") the Depositary shall endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary shall not, and the Depositary shall ensure that each Custodian or any of its nominees does not, vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities, other than in accordance with such instructions or as provided in the following paragraph. If (i) the Depositary solicited instructions from Owners pursuant to the preceding paragraph and (ii) the Depositary does not receive instructions from any Owner with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Owner's Receipts on or before the Instruction Date, such Owner shall be deemed, and the Depositary shall deem such Owner, to have instructed the Depositary to give, and the Depositary shall give, a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer, to vote such Deposited Securities; provided, however, that the Depositary shall not give a discretionary proxy with respect to any matter as to which the Issuer informs the Depositary (and the Issuer agrees to provide such information in writing, if applicable, at the time notice of any meeting or solicitation of proxies is received by the Depositary or as soon as possible thereafter, if applicable) that (i) the Issuer does not wish such proxy given, (ii) substantial opposition exists or (iii) such matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of Shares.
17. CHANGES AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion or replacement of or otherwise in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion or replacement or otherwise, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, with the Issuer's approval and shall if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities. Upon the occurrence of any charge or other event covered by this Section 4.8 with respect to the Deposited Securities that affects holdings of American Depositary Shares, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Owners
18. LIABILITY OF THE ISSUER AND DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer nor any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner, Beneficial Owner or other person, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, The Republic of South Africa or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Issuer, or any offering or distribution thereof, or by reason of any act of God or war or terrorism or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement or the Deposited Securities it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates incur any liability to any Owner, Beneficial Owner or other person by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Neither the Issuer nor the Depositary and its agents and their respective officers, directors, employees and affiliates assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to Owners or Beneficial Owners of Receipts, or other persons, except that they agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Each of the Depositary and its agents and their respective officers, directors, employees and affiliates shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary or its agents nor the Issuer or its agents shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary. None of the Depositary or its agents or the Issuer or its agents shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner, Beneficial Owner, holder of a Receipt or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Deposit Agreement against the Depositary, the Custodian or the Issuer.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
19. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A CUSTODIAN.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Issuer, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by 120 days prior written notice of such removal, which shall become effective upon the later to occur of (i) the 120th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interests of the Owners of Receipts to do so, it may discharge a Custodian or appoint a substitute or additional Custodian or Custodians.
20. AMENDMENT.
The form of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement in writing between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Owners. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners of Receipts, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty (30) days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. Every Owner of a Receipt at the time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
21. TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time ninety (90) days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipts. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall not accept deposits of Shares (and shall instruct each Custodian to act accordingly), shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and except for its obligations to the Issuer under Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement and to the Owners under Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement, which obligations shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary with respect to indemnification, charges, and expenses, which obligations shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Depositary.
22. COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Notwithstanding anything in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has under the Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities in a manner which would violate United States securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
23. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS.
The Issuer hereby (i) irrevocably designates and appoints CT Corporation System, 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, as the Issuer's authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Agreement, (ii) consents and submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agrees that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Issuer in any such suit or proceeding. The Issuer agrees to deliver, upon the execution and delivery of the Deposit Agreement, a written acceptance by such agent of its appointment as such agent. The Issuer further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect for so long as any American Depositary Shares or Receipts remain outstanding or this Agreement remains in force. In the event the Issuer fails to continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect, the Issuer hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that any such service of process may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, directed to the Issuer at its address last specified for notices under the Deposit Agreement, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so mailed.
24. | COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. |
The rights of each Owner will be subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer as if such Owner were a holder of Shares and to all applicable provisions of the laws of the Republic of South Africa and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer with regard to notification to the Issuer and any governmental or stock exchange authorities of such Owner’s interest in Shares.
25. | DISCLOSURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF RECEIPTS. |
The Issuer and the Depositary may from time to time request Owners to provide information as to the capacity in which they hold Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such Receipts and various other matters. Each such Owner agrees to provide any such information reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this Section and such agreement shall survive any disposition of such Owner’s interest in Shares or Receipts. The Depositary agrees to comply with reasonable written instructions received from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary forward any such requests to such Owners and to forward to the Issuer and responses to such requests received by the Depositary and to use its reasonable efforts to assist the Issuer in obtaining such information with respect to the American Depositary Shares; provided that nothing herein shall be interpreted as obligating the Depositary to provide or obtain any such information not provided to the Depositary by such Owners.