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Tue 24 Feb 2009, 14:00 SNT - Santam Limited - Audited Abridged Financial Report for the year ended 31
SNT
SNT                                                                             
SNT - Santam Limited - Audited Abridged Financial Report for the year ended 31  
                   December 2008 and dividend declaration                       
SANTAM LIMITED                                                                  
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number: 1918/001680/06)                                           
(Share Code: SNT           ISIN: ZAE000006854)                                  
Santam Limited and its subsidiaries                                             
Audited Abridged Financial Report                                               
for the year ended 31 December 2008                                             
Highlights                                                                      
-    Core business performing well                                              
-    Net underwriting margin of 6.4%                                            
-    Exceptional float income returns                                           
-    Strong cash flows generated                                                
-    Solvency ratio of 44%                                                      
-    Total dividend of 430 cents per share                                      
Consolidated balance sheets                                                     
                                            Audited          Audited            
                                            At 31 Dec 08     At 31 Dec 07       
Notes  R million        R million          
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Property and equipment                       42               38                
Intangible assets                            155              135               
Deferred income tax                          81               40                
Investments in associates                    195              175               
Financial assets - at fair value                                                
through income                                                                  
Equity securities                     3      3 111            4 454             
Debt securities                       3      2 688            2 901             
Derivatives                           3      136              -                 

Current assets                                                                  
Reinsurance assets                           1 981            2 026             
Deferred acquisition costs                   271              239               
Loans and receivables including                                                 
insurance receivables                 3      2 688            1 947             
Income tax assets                            73               27                
Cash and short-term money market                                                
instruments                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents                    1 938            1 171             
Short-term money market instruments          3 089            2 274             
                                                                                
Non-current assets classified as held                                           
for sale                                    -                2 060              
Total assets                                 16 448           17 487            
                                                                                
EQUITY                                                                          
Capital and reserves attributable to                                            
the company`s equity holders                                                    
Share capital                                107              105               
Treasury shares                              (680)            (726)             
Other reserves                               1 251            1 147             
Distributable reserves                       3 586            3 448             
Amounts recognised directly in equity                                           
relating to non-current assets                                                  
classified as held for sale                 -                71                 
                                            4 264            4 045              
Minority interest                            138              133               
Total equity                                 4 402            4 178             
                                                                                
LIABILITIES                                                                     
Non-current liabilities                                                         
Deferred income tax                          12               91                
Financial liabilities - at fair value                                           
through income                                                                  
Debt securities                       5      972              908               
Investment contracts                         393              525               
Derivative                            3       -               47                
Financial liabilities - at amortised                                            
cost                                                                            
Cell-owners` interest                        447              336               
Collateral guarantee contracts               93               84                
                                                                                
Current liabilities                                                             
Insurance liabilities                        8 156            7 630             
Deferred reinsurance acquisition                                                
revenue                                     82               99                 
Provisions for other liabilities and                                            
charges                                     25               87                 
Trade and other payables                     1 828            1 408             
Current income tax liabilities               38               488               
                                                                                
Liabilities directly associated with                                            
non-current assets classified as held                                           
for sale                                    -                1 606              
Total liabilities                            12 046           13 309            

Total shareholders` equity and                                                  
liabilities                                 16 448           17 487             
Consolidated income statements                                                  
Audited      Audited                    
                                        Year ended   Year ended                 
                                        31 Dec 08    31 Dec 07    Change        
                                 Notes  R million    R million    %             
Continuing operations                                                           
Gross written premium                    14 179       13 173       8%           
Less: Reinsurance premium                2 306        2 254                     
Net premium                              11 873       10 919       9%           
Less: Change in unearned premium                                                
Gross amount                             94           330                       
Reinsurers` share                        63           (127)                     
Net insurance premium revenue            11 716       10 716       9%           

Investment income                 6      949          666          42%          
Income from reinsurance contracts                                               
ceded                                   340          306                        
Net (losses)/gains on financial                                                 
assets and liabilities at fair                                                  
value through income                    (721)        454                        
Net income                               12 284       12 142       1%           

Insurance claims and loss                                                       
adjustment expenses                     9 422        8 552                      
Insurance claims and loss                                                       
adjustment expenses recovered                                                   
from reinsurers                         (1 415)      (1 250)                    
Net insurance benefits and claims                                               
                                      8 007        7 302        10%             

Expenses for the acquisition of                                                 
insurance contracts                     2 014        1 794                      
Expenses for marketing and                                                      
administration                          1 296        1 262                      
Expenses for asset management                                                   
services rendered                       26           27                         
Amortisation of intangible assets                                               
7            2                            
Expenses                                 11 350       10 387       9%           
                                                                                
Results of operating activities                                                 
934          1 755        (47%)          
Finance costs                            (152)        (45)                      
Share of (loss)/profit of                                                       
associates                              (8)          76                         
Profit before tax                        774          1 786        (57%)        
Tax                               7      (54)         (542)                     
Profit for the year from                                                        
continuing operations                   720          1 244        (42%)         

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS                                                         
Profit/(loss) for the year from   4                                             
discontinued operations                 25           (168)                      
Profit for the year                      745           1 076       (31%)        
                                                                                
Attributable to:                                                                
- equity holders of the company          724          1 050                     
- minority interest                      21           26                        
                                        745          1 076                      
                                                                                
Earnings attributable to equity                                                 
shareholders                                                                    
Earnings per share (cents)                                                      
Basic earnings per share          9      644          924          (30%)        
Diluted earnings per share               640          914          (30%)        
Headline earnings per share              586          906          (35%)        
Diluted headline earnings per                                                   
share                                   582          897          (35%)         
Weighted average number of shares                                               
- millions                              112.50       113.67                     
Weighted average number of                                                      
ordinary shares for diluted                                                     
earnings per share - millions           113.10       114.81                     
Dividend per share (cents)               430          410                       
Special dividend per share                                                      
(cents)                                 -            2 200                      
Consolidated statement of changes in equity                                     

             Attributable to equity holders of the company                      
                                                    Amounts                     
                                                   recog-                       
nised                        
                                                   directly                     
                                                   in                           
                                                   equity                       
relating                     
                                                   to non-                      
                                                   current                      
                                                   assets                       
held for                     
                                         Distri-   sale                         
            Share     Treasury Other     butable            Minority            
            capital   shares   reserves  reserves           interest  Total     
R         R        R         R         R         R         R       
            million   million  million   million   million   million   million  
Balance as at                                                                   
1 January                                                                       
2007          71        -        1 119     5 437     -         123       6 750  
Share issue   34         -        -         -         -         -        34     
Net purchase                                                                    
of treasury                                                                     
shares        -         (726)    -         -         -         -         (726)  
Profit for                                                                      
the year      -         -        -         1 050     -         26        1 076  
Transfer to                                                                     
reserves      -         -        93        (93)      -         -         -      
Share-based                                                                     
payments      -         -        -         14        -         -         14     
Currency                                                                        
translation                                                                     
differences   -         -        6         -         -         -         6      
Dividends                                                                       
paid          -         -        -         (2 960)   -         (17)      (2 977)
Interest                                                                        
acquired by                                                                     
minorities    -         -        -         -         -         1         1      
Amounts                                                                         
recognised                                                                      
directly in                                                                     
equity                                                                          
relating to                                                                     
non-current                                                                     
assets                                                                          
classified as                                                                   
held for sale                                                                   
-         -        (71)      -         71        -         -        
Balance as at                                                                   
31 December                                                                     
2007                                                                            
105       (726)    1 147     3 448     71        133       4 178    
Share issue   2          -        -         -         -         -        2      
Purchase of                                                                     
treasury                                                                        
shares        -         (29)     -         -         -         -         (29)   
Sale of                                                                         
treasury                                                                        
shares        -         75       -         -         -         -         75     
Profit for                                                                      
the year      -         -        -         724       -         21        745    
Transfer to                                                                     
reserves                                                                        
-         -        99        (99)      -         -         -       
Share-based                                                                     
payments      -         -        -         39        -         -         39     
Loss on sale                                                                    
of treasury                                                                     
shares        -         -        -         (66)      -         -         (66)   
Currency                                                                        
translation                                                                     
differences   -         -        5         -         -         -         5      
Dividends                                                                       
paid          -         -        -         (460)     -         (16)      (476)  
Amounts        -         -        -         -         (71)      -         (71)  
recognised                                                                      
directly in                                                                     
equity                                                                          
relating to                                                                     
non-current                                                                     
assets                                                                          
classified as                                                                   
held for sale                                                                   
Balance as at                                                                   
31 December                                                                     
2008          107       (680)    1 251     3 586     -         138       4 402  
Consolidated cash flow statements                                               

                                                  Audited      Audited          
                                                  Year ended                    
                                                            Year ended          

                                                  At 31 Dec 08 At 31 Dec 07     
                                           Notes  R million    R million        
Cash generated from operations                     1 527        2 139           
Interest paid                                      (152)        (45)            
Income tax paid                                    (669)        (288)           
Net cash from operating activities                 706          1 806           
                                                                                
Cash flows from investing activities                                            
Cash generated in investment activities            921          12              
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash                                          
acquired                                    8      (3)          (61)            
Cash (sold)/acquired through the sale /                                         
acquisition of subsidiary                         (1 139)      52               
Purchases of equipment                             (48)         (32)            
Proceeds from sale of equipment                    1            3               
Acquisition of associated companies                (55)         -               
Proceeds from sale of associated companies         -            21              
Acquisition of book of business                    (10)         (2)             
Proceeds from sale of business operations          61           -               
Net cash from investing activities                 (272)        (7)             
                                                                                
Cash flows from financing activities                                            
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares          2            34              
Purchase of treasury shares                        (29)         (726)           
Proceeds on sale of treasury shares                10           -               
Increase in debt securities                        -            964             
Increase in investment contract liabilities                                     
(138)        230                
Dividends paid to company`s shareholders           (460)        (2 960)         
Dividends paid to minority interest                (16)         (17)            
Increase in cell-owners`interest                   111          8               
Net cash used in financing activities              (520)        (2 467)         
                                                                                
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents          (86)         (668)           
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of                                       
year                                              1 983        2 659            
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash                                        
equivalents                                       41           (8)              
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year           1 938        1 983           
Non-current assets classified as held for                                       
sale                                              -            (812)            
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year -                                      
Continuing operations                             1 938        1 171            

Cash flows relating to discontinued                                             
operations                                                                      
Included in the above are the following                                         
cash flows from discontinued operations:                                        
Operating cash flows                               (453)        233             
Investing cash flows                               (400)        (25)            
Financing cash flows                               (1)          (197)           
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash                                        
equivalents                                       (854)        11               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of                                       
year                                              812          808              
Translation gains/(losses) on cash and cash                                     
equivalents                                       42           (7)              
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year           -            812             
Notes to the abridged financial report                                          
1.  Basis of presentation and accounting policies                               
   The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December         
  2008 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting        
  Standards (IFRS), IAS34 - Interim Financial Reporting and in                  
compliance with the Listing Requirements of the JSE Limited. The              
  abridged consolidated financial statements do not include all of the          
  information required by IFRS for full annual financial statements.            
  The principal accounting policies used in preparing the audited               
results for the year ended 31 December 2008 are consistent with those         
  applied in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31              
  December 2007 in terms of IFRS, except for short-term liquid                  
  instruments with a maturity of less than 12 months, previously                
disclosed as part of cash and cash equivalents, but now disclosed             
  separately as short-term money market instruments.                            
  In the balance sheet and income statement, the European insurance             
  operations are presented in terms of IFRS 5 - Non-current Assets Held         
for Sale and Discontinued Operations.                                         
2.  Segment report                                                              
   To ensure more meaningful disclosure, only the continuing activities         
  are reported on a segmented basis.                                            
2.1 For the year ended 31 December 2008                                      
                                      Insurance     Investment                  
                                      activities    activities   Total          
   Business activity                  R million     R million    R million      
Revenue                            14 179        (472)        13 707         
   Gross written premium              14 179                     14 179         
   Net written premium                11 873                     11 873         
   Net earned premium                 11 716                     11 716         
Claims incurred                    8 007                      8007           
   Net commission                     1 674                      1 674          
   Management expenses                1 283         13           1 296          
   Underwriting result                752           (13)         739            
Investment return on insurance                                               
  funds                              540                       540              
   Net insurance result               1 292         (13)         1 279          
   Investment income net of                                                     
management fee and finance costs                (490)        (490)            
   Income from associates                           (8)          (8)            
   Amortisation of intangible asset   (7)           -            (7)            
   Income before taxation             1 285         (511)        774            

   Total assets                       10 318        6 130        16 448         
   Total liabilities                  11 050        996          12 046         
                                                                                
Gross      Under-                                   
                          written    writing       Total        Total           
                            premium    result        assets       liabilities   
   Insurance class          R million  R million     R million    R million     
Accident and health      378        37            30           135           
   Alternative risk         1 726      (31)          549          2 014         
   Crop                     575        74            151          321           
   Engineering              539        121           76           288           
Guarantee                20         13            16           30            
   Liability                1 130      410           684          2 038         
   Miscellaneous            23         8             5            20            
   Motor                     5 535     275           50           1 217         
Property                 3 859      (172)         606          1 864         
   Transportation           394        17            86           313           
   Unallocated              -          (13)          14 195       3 806         
   Total                    14 179     739           16 448       12 046        

   Comprising:                                                                  
   Commercial insurance     7 176      649           1 684        5 289         
   Personal insurance       5 277      134           20           937           
Alternative risk         1 726      (31)          549          2 014         
   Unallocated              -          (13)          14 195       3 806         
   Total                    14 179     739           16 448       12 046        
   2.2 For the year ended                                                       
31 December 2007                                                             
                                        Insurance    Investment                 
                                        activities   activities   Total         
   Business activity                    R million    R million    R million     
Revenue                              13 173       832          14 005        
   Gross written premium                13 173                    13 173        
   Net written premium                  10 919                    10 919        
   Net earned premium                   10 716                    10 716        
Claims incurred                      7 302                     7 302         
   Net commission                       1 488                     1 488         
   Management expenses                  1 262                     1 262         
   Underwriting result                  664          -            664           
Investment return on                                                         
  insurance funds                     319                      319              
   Net insurance result                 983          -            983           
   Investment income net of                                                     
management fee and                                                            
  finance costs                       -            729          729             
   Income from associates               -            76           76            
   Amortisation of                                                              
intangible asset                    (2)          -            (2)             
   Income before taxation               981          805          1 786         
                                                                                
   Total assets                         7 897        7 530        15 427        
Total liabilities                    10 724       979          11 703        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                             Gross      Under-                                  
written    writing     Total       Total             
                             premium    result      assets      liabilities     
   Insurance class           R million  R million   R million   R million       
   Accident and health       331        12          33          138             
Alternative risk          1 780      50          456         1 880           
   Crop                      436        (87)        114         254             
   Engineering               508        201         64          240             
   Guarantee                 20         30          22          37              
Liability                 1 068      301         891         1 994           
   Miscellaneous             27         (1)         9           26              
   Motor                     4 941      164         60          1 135           
   Property                  3 719      (10)        542         1 769           
Transportation            343        4           74          258             
   Unallocated               -          -           13 162      3 972           
   Total                     13 173     664         15 427      11 703          
                                                                                
Comprising:                                                                  
   Commercial insurance      6 600      558         1 798       4 978           
   Personal insurance        4 793      56          11           873            
   Alternative risk          1 780       50         456         1 880           
Unallocated               -          -           13 162      3 972           
   Total                     13 173     664         15 427      11 703          
                                               Audited        Audited           
                                               At 31 Dec 08   At 31 Dec 07      
R million      R million         
3.  Financial assets                                                            
   The group`s non-current financial assets                                     
  are summarised below by measurement                                           
category.                                                                     
   Financial assets at fair value through                                       
  income                                      5 935          7 308              
   Loans and receivables                       2 688          1 947             
Total financial assets                      8 623          9 255             
                                                                                
   Financial assets at fair value through                                       
  income                                                                        
Equity securities                                                            
   - quoted                                    2 764          4 434             
                                                                                
   - unquoted                                  347            20                
3 111          4 454             
                                                                                
   Derivatives                                 136            (47)              
                                                                                
Debt securities                                                              
   - quoted                                                                     
   government and other bonds                  1 369          1 322             
   Long-term money market instruments          776            851               
- unquoted                                                                   
   bonds                                       -              1                 
   redeemable preference shares                543            727               
                                               2 688           2 901            
Total financial assets at fair value                                         
  through income                              5 935          7 308              
                                                                                
4.  Non-current assets held for sale and                                        
discontinued operations                                                      
   Santam Europe Limited and Westminster Motor                                  
  Insurance Association were disposed of on                                     
  15 September 2008 and 22 December 2008,                                       
respectively. The following are the results                                   
  for these companies until the date of                                         
  disposal included as "Discontinued                                            
  operations" on the income statement.                                          

   Analysis of the result of discontinued                                       
  operations                                                                    
   Gross written premium                       250            932               
Net premium                                 26             872               
   Net insurance premium revenue               447            641               
   Net investment and reinsurance income       56             82                
   Release of translation reserve              71              -                
Net profit on sale of business operations    13             -                
   Net insurance benefits and claims           425            725               
   Expenses                                    113             188              
   Profit/(loss) before tax                    49             (190)             
Income tax                                  (24)            22               
   Profit/(loss) for the year from                                              
  discontinued operations                     25             (168)              
                                               Audited                          
Audited              
                                                                                
                                               At 31 Dec 08    At 31 Dec 07     
                                               R million      R million         
5.  Debt securities - at fair value through                                     
   income                                                                       
   Debt securities                                                              
   At the beginning of the year                908            -                 
Debentures issued                           -              955               
                                                                                
   Fair value adjustment                       64             (47)              
                                               972            908               

   During 2007 the company issued unsecured                                     
  subordinated callable notes to the value of                                   
  R1 billion in two tranches. The fixed                                         
effective rate for the R600 million issue                                     
  was 8.6% and 9.6% for the second tranch of                                    
  R400 million, representing the R203                                           
  companion bond plus an appropriate credit                                     
spread at the time of the issues. The fixed                                   
  coupon rate, based on the nominal value of                                    
  the issues, amounts to 8.25% and for both                                     
  tranches the optional redemption date is 15                                   
September 2017. Between the optional                                          
  redemption date and final maturity date of                                    
  15 September 2022, a variable interest rate                                   
  (JIBAR-based plus additional margin) will                                     
apply.                                                                        
                                                                                
  Per the conditions set by the Regulator,                                      
  Santam is required to maintain liquid                                         
assets equal to the value of the callable                                     
  notes until maturity. The callable notes                                      
  are therefore measured at fair value to                                       
  minimise undue income statement volatility.                                   

                                                                                
6.  Investment income                                                           
   Dividend income                             342            262               
Interest income                             466            402               
   Foreign exchange differences                141            2                 
                                               949            666               
                                                                                
7.  Tax                                                                         
   South African normal taxation                                                
   Current year                                153            716               
   Charge for the year                         127            464               
STC                                         26             252               
   Prior year                                  3              30                
   Foreign taxation                            16             18                
   Income taxation for the year                172            764               
Deferred taxation                           (118)          (222)             
   Current year                                (114)          (206)             
   STC                                         (1)            (16)              
   Prior year                                  (3)            -                 

   Total taxation as per the income statement  54             542               
                                                                                
8.  Business combinations                                                       
On 9 April 2007 the group increased its                                      
  shareholding in Admiral Professional                                          
  Underwriting Agency (Pty) Ltd from 28.9% to                                   
  70% and on 8 November 2007 to 100%. During                                    
2008 an additional amount of R3 million was                                   
  paid as part of the purchase agreement.                                       
                                                                                
   Purchase consideration paid                 3              61                
Less: Net asset value acquired              -              (16)              
   Investment in associated share previously                                    
  acquired                                    -              7                  
   Goodwill                                    3              52                
Audited       Audited            
                                               At 31 Dec 08  At 31 Dec 07       
                                                                                
9.  Earnings per share                                                          
Basic earnings per share                                                     
   Profit attributable to the company`s                                         
  equity holders (R million)                  724           1 050               
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                   
in issue (million)                          112.50        113.67              
   Earnings per share (cents)                  644           924                
   Earnings per share - Continuing operations                                   
  (cents)                                     621           1 071               
Earnings per share - Discontinued                                            
  operations (cents)                          23            (147)               
                                                                                
   Diluted earnings per share                                                   
Profit attributable to the company`s                                         
  equity holders (R million)                  724           1 050               
                                                                                
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                   
in issue (million)                          112.50        113.67              
   Adjusted for share options                  0.60          1.14               
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                   
  for diluted earnings per share (million)    113.10        114.81              

   Diluted basic earnings per share (cents)    640           914                
   Diluted basic earnings per share -                                           
  Continuing operations (cents)               618           1 061               
Diluted basic earnings per share -                                           
  Discontinued operations (cents)             22            (147)               
                                                                                
   Headline earnings per share                                                  
Profit attributable to the company`s                                         
  equity holders (R million)                  724           1 050               
   Adjusted for:                                                                
   Profit/(loss) on sale of subsidiaries and                                    
associates                                  8             (20)                
   Profit on sale of business operations       (2)           -                  
   Translation reserve released on sale of                                      
  European operations                         (71)          -                   
Headline earnings (R million)               659           1 030              
                                                                                
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                   
  in issue (million)                          112.50        113.67              

   Headline earnings per share (cents)         586           906                
   Headline earnings per share - Continuing                                     
  operations (cents)                          621           1 054               
Headline earnings per share - Discontinued                                   
  operations (cents)                          (35)          (148)               
                                                                                
   Diluted headline earnings per share                                          
Headline earnings (R million)               659            1 030             
   Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                   
  for diluted earnings per share (million)    113.10        114.81              
                                                                                
Diluted headline earnings per share                                          
  (cents)                                     582           897                 
   Diluted headline earnings per share -                                        
  Continuing operations (cents)               618           1 043               
Diluted headline earnings per share -                                        
  Discontinued operations (cents)             (36)          (146)               
Comments                                                                        
After a difficult first half the Santam Group experienced an excellent second   
half, resulting in a pleasing overall performance for 2008 against the backdrop 
of the difficult economic climate.                                              
From an underwriting perspective the group did very well in its Southern African
operations, showing a substantial increase in both underwriting profit and net  
insurance result over 2007. Overall earnings for the group were below 2007,     
attributable to lower investment returns as a result of the continued turmoil   
and substantial decline in equity markets. Headline earnings of R659 million    
were 35% lower than 2007, equating to headline earnings per share of 586 cents  
compared to 906 cents in 2007.                                                  
The Southern African operations achieved an 8% increase in gross written        
premiums, experiencing growth across most classes of business. This was         
pleasing, given the softer market and the corrective action taken by Santam to  
procure and retain quality business, especially in the corporate business unit. 
Santam experienced a substantially improved second half of the year mainly due  
to fewer large industrial accident and fire-related claims in the corporate     
business unit, compared to the first half. Nevertheless, the underwriting margin
of the property class ended negative for the year. The current reinsurance      
programme did provide sufficient protection. The personal and commercial        
business classes outperformed 2007, despite several catastrophic flooding events
in KwaZulu-Natal and Southern Cape and continued pressure on premium rates.     
Despite fewer large industrial accident and fire-related claims during the      
second half of the year, the underwriting margin of the property class ended    
negative for the year. The current reinsurance programme did provide sufficient 
protection. Of the specialist classes, the liability and engineering businesses 
performed well while the crop business experienced a return to profitability.   
The net acquisition cost ratio of 25.2% ended below the 25.7% for 2007 as focus 
on cost efficiencies continued.                                                 
The net underwriting result of R739 million for the continuing operations ended 
11% higher than the R664 million for 2007. The net underwriting margin of 6.4%  
improved slightly from the 6.2% in 2007.                                        
As reported previously, the European operations are treated as "Discontinued    
operations" as defined by IFRS 5 - Non-current Assets Held for Sale and         
Discontinued Operations. In total the discontinued operations showed an after-  
tax profit of R25 million for the year against a loss of R168 million for 2007. 
In two separate transactions Santam managed to successfully dispose of Santam   
Europe and Westminster Motor Insurance Association before year-end for a pre-tax
profit of R13 million after goodwill write-off, effectively concluding its      
disinvestment from the European insurance operations. Both transactions involve 
a deferred compensation mechanism whereby Santam shares in potential release of 
excessive claims reserves. The discontinued results also include R71 million of 
realised translation reserve due to the sale of the international entities.     
As reported with our interim results, subsequent to the payment of the special  
dividend of R2.5 billion at the end of 2007 the deployment of the company`s     
float (funds generated by insurance activities) changed from only being invested
in interest-bearing instruments to also include an equity component. Although   
equity returns were negative for the first half of the year, these losses were  
recovered early into the third quarter, while the company also eliminated its   
equity exposure in the float in this period as part of its overall strategy of  
reducing its equity exposure. Higher interest rates and average float levels had
a favourable impact for most of the year. Consequently the investment return on 
insurance funds of R540 million ended significantly higher than the R319 million
reported in 2007. Cash generated by continuing operations amounted to R1.98     
billion, a marginal increase from the R1.91 billion generated in 2007. The      
winding down of the discontinued operations decreased the group`s cash generated
from operations to R1.53 billion.                                               
The combined effect of the insurance activities of the continuing operations    
resulted in a net insurance margin of 10.9% for the year compared to 9.2% for   
2007.                                                                           
Performance of the remainder of the investment portfolio remained under         
considerable pressure for the year, continuing the negative trend since the last
quarter of 2007, but showed some improvement in the second half. Although higher
interest rates had a positive impact on cash-related investments, the equity    
portfolio performed significantly below the performance of 2007 largely due to  
the spill-over effect the global financial and economic crisis had on the South 
African financial markets. The company took some decisive steps to decrease its 
equity exposure by disposing of R1 billion of equities as well as hedging       
downside risk on a further effective R0.5 billion, steps which were very        
significant in preserving shareholder value. Cognisance should also be taken of 
the fact that the investment portfolio, equities in particular, reduced         
substantially due to the buy-back of shares and payment of the special dividend 
in December 2007.                                                               
Earnings from associated companies were negative for the year and thus well     
below 2007, mainly due to lower earnings from key associates and start-up losses
in new ventures.                                                                
The tax charge of R54 million for the year was affected by the large dividend   
income as well as differences between realised accounting and capital gains tax 
losses on the equity and bond investment portfolio.                             
The group solvency ratio of 44% at 31 December 2008 was at the higher end of the
long-term target range of 35% to 45%, a slight increase from the 42% reported at
the end of 2007.                                                                
Santam`s Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Scheme was finalised during     
2008. The initial bridging finance was refinanced and allocations were made to  
strategic black business partners during the second half of the year. The next  
allocation to black staff is expected in 2009.                                  
The board would like to extend its gratitude to Santam`s management, staff,     
brokers and other business partners for their efforts and contributions during  
the past year.                                                                  
Prospects                                                                       
Underwriting margins are expected to be under pressure due to the softer market,
both in commercial and personal lines, as well as the challenges faced by the   
industry due to the deterioration in global and domestic economic conditions.   
Although general consensus indicates lower inflation, disposable income will    
remain low and businesses are under earnings pressure. Economic growth is       
expected to be subdued, impacting adversely on industry growth. Having the      
benefit of diversification, Santam is well positioned to face these challenges  
and can benefit from moves by clients to place business with insurers with sound
financial standing.                                                             
The continuing financial and economic climate could impact capital growth on our
investment portfolio during 2009. Indications are that the market will be less  
volatile but with limited overall growth. Further reduction in interest rates   
will negatively impact our cash-related investment returns.                     
Declaration of dividend (Number 110)                                            
Notice is hereby given that the board has declared a final dividend of 264 cents
per share (2007: 244 cents). Shareholders are advised that the last day to trade
cum dividend will be Friday, 13 March 2009. The shares will trade ex dividend   
from the commencement of business on Monday, 16 March 2009. The record date will
be Friday, 20 March 2009, and the payment date will be Monday, 23 March 2009.   
Certified shareholders may not dematerialise or rematerialise their shares      
between Monday, 16 March 2009, and Friday, 20 March 2009, both dates inclusive. 
Auditors` report                                                                
PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc, have audited the results for the year and their     
unqualified audit reports on the 31 December 2008 annual financial statements   
are available on request at the company`s registered office.                    
On behalf of the board                                                          
DK Smith                              IM Kirk                                   
Chairman                              Chief Executive Officer                   
Non-executive Directors                                                         
BTPKM Gamedze, DCM Gihwala, JG le Roux, NM Magau, JP Moller, RK Morathi, P de V 
Rademeyer, JP Rowse, GE Rudman, DK Smith (Chairman), J van Zyl, BP Vundla       
Executive Directors                                                             
IM Kirk (Chief Executive Officer),                                              
MJ Reyneke (Financial Director)                                                 
Company secretary                                                               
Sana-Ullah Bray                                                                 
Santam head office and registered address                                       
1 Sportica Crescent                                                             
Tyger Valley, Bellville, 7530                                                   
PO Box 3881, Tyger Valley, 7536                                                 
Tel: 021 915 7000                                                               
Fax: 021 914 0700                                                               
www.santam.co.za                                                                
Registration number 1918/001680/06                                              
ISIN ZAE000093779                                                               
JSE share code: SNT                                                             
NSX share code: SNM                                                             
Transfer secretaries                                                            
Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd                                       
70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001                                          
PO Box 61051, Marshalltown, 2107                                                
Tel: 011 370 5000                                                               
Fax: 011 688 7721                                                               
www.computershare.com                                                           
Sponsor                                                                         
Investec Bank Limited                                                           
24 February 2009                                                                
Date: 24/02/2009 14:00:03 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
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