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Thu 27 Mar 2003, 15:47 Relyant Retail - INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT AND CAUTIONA
Relyant Retail Limited                                                          
Registration number 1937/010108/06                                              
Share code: RLY      ISIN number: ZAE000016457                                  
UNAUDITED INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT                                                  
for the six months ended 31 December 2002                                       
AND CAUTIONARY ANNOUNCEMENT                                                     
Turnover declined by 5,8% to R1,23 billion                                      
Cash sales rise to 46% of total sales, from 41% a year ago                      
EBITDA from continuing operations increased by 14,6% to R145 million            
Fully diluted HEPS for the period down from 35c to 10c                          
Cash generated from operations of R31 million                                   
Gearing down to 51%, from 105% a year ago                                       
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT         Six months   Six months       Year               
                                    ended        ended      ended               
31 December  31 December    30 June               
                                     2002         2001       2002               
                                unaudited    unaudited    audited               
                         Notes     R000"s       R000"s     R000"s               
Turnover                     3  1 237 387    1 354 717  2 480 589               
Continuing                      1 233 763    1 309 156  2 389 732               
Discontinued                 5      3 624       45 561     90 857               
Cost of sales                     673 961      707 239  1 278 146               
Trading profit before                                                           
depreciation and                                                                
amortisation ("EBITDA")           147 846      143 319    171 770               
Continuing                        144 656      126 192    141 969               
Discontinued                        3 190       17 127     29 801               
Depreciation of fixtures,                                                       
equipment and vehicles            (12 555)     (14 829)   (28 166)              
Amortisation of intangibles        (3 558)      (8 226)   (15 741)              
Trading profit                    131 733      120 264    127 863               
Continuing                        128 543      103 081     98 187               
Discontinued                        3 190       17 183     29 676               
Net financing costs         12     39 624       72 638    170 557               
Interest received                 (17 323)                    (25)              
Financing costs on                                                              
bank borrowings                    56 947       68 902    160 026               
Additional financing costs                                                      
prescribed by AC125                              3 736     10 556               
Profit before                                                                   
exceptional items                  92 109       47 626    (42 694)              
Exceptional gain             4     29 224       (5 500)  (613 160)              
Profit before taxation            121 333       42 126   (655 854)              
Taxation                           33 132       20 831    (22 421)              
Profit after taxation              88 201       21 295   (633 433)              
Share of joint venture loss  5      5 500                                       
Earnings attributable to                                                        
ordinary shareholders              82 701       21 295   (633 433)              
Ordinary shares in                                                              
issue (000"s)                                                                   
- closing                    6    959 278       68 076     68 076               
- weighted average           6    811 853       68 076     68 076               
Fully diluted weighted                                                          
average number of                                                               
ordinary shares (000"s)      7    822 264       95 969     95 969               
Earnings per share                                                              
- basic (cents)                        10           31       (930)              
Headline earnings per share                                                     
- basic (cents)                        10           38       (786)              
Headline earnings per share                                                     
- fully diluted (cents)                10           35       (533)              
Reconciliation of attributable                                                  
earnings to headline                                                            
and fully diluted earnings         R000"s       R000"s     R000"s               
Attributable earnings, as above    82 701       21 295   (633 433)              
Adjustments:                                                                    
Amortisation of goodwill                                                        
during the period                     984        3 917      7 122               
Impairment of goodwill                                                          
and trademarks                                             86 727               
Early settlement costs of                                                       
debt portion of compulsorily                                                    
convertible debentures                                      2 737               
Profit on sale of                                                               
non-current assets                   (478)         486      2 238               
Taxation on adjustments               143         (146)      (671)              
Headline earnings                  83 350       25 552   (535 280)              
Adjustments to determine fully                                                  
diluted headline earnings:                                                      
Preference dividends charged                                                    
to net financing costs                           3 736     10 556               
STC on preference dividends                      2 031      8 202               
Interest on compulsorily                                                        
convertible debentures - taxed                   2 296      4 592               
Headline earnings - fully diluted  83 350       33 615   (511 930)              
                                                           R000"s               
Headline earnings - fully diluted                                               
(as previously reported)                                 (507 835)              
Restated in terms of SAICA, Circular 7/2002                                     
- Headline Earnings:                                                            
Impairment of investment in e-commerce hub                 (4 095)              
Headline earnings - fully diluted (as reflected above)   (511 930)              
GROUP BALANCE SHEET           31 December  31 December    30 June               
                                     2002         2001       2002               
unaudited    unaudited    audited               
                         Notes     R000"s       R000"s     R000"s               
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                              
Goodwill                           13 504       58 230      2 954               
Trademarks                         36 747       78 287     39 321               
Fixtures, equipment                                                             
and vehicles                      115 018      118 263    114 506               
Insurance companies"                                                            
investments                  8     65 612       45 848     53 666               
Investment in microloan                                                         
joint venture                      10 269                  17 578               
Deferred taxation                 282 258      258 239    308 777               
                                  523 408      558 867    536 802               
Current assets                                                                  
Accounts receivable          9  1 433 467    1 946 057  1 281 461               
Other debit balances               65 194       58 926    127 967               
Taxation                            6 449        3 344     12 202               
Inventories                       404 884      364 664    315 367               
Debtor for share                                                                
issue proceeds                                            774 551               
Cash on hand                          213          280        220               
                                1 910 207    2 373 271  2 511 768               
Total assets                    2 433 615    2 932 138  3 048 570               
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Ordinary share capital                                                          
and premium                     1 673 569      391 245    391 245               
Ordinary share capital                                                          
and premium to be issued                                1 269 551               
Non-distributable reserves         21 388       91 958     27 651               
Accumulated loss                 (508 066)     127 636   (573 802)              
Ordinary shareholders" equity   1 186 891      610 839  1 114 645               
Compulsorily convertible                                                        
preference shares                              384 536                          
Compulsorily convertible                                                        
debentures                                      43 597                          
Total shareholders" equity      1 186 891    1 038 972  1 114 645               
Long term liability portion                                                     
of preference shares                            42 841                          
Current liabilities                                                             
Interest bearing bank                                                           
borrowings                        601 551    1 135 442  1 291 259               
Amount due to vendor               13 669                                       
Accounts payable and accruals     541 232      646 763    510 303               
Provisions                         73 937       68 120     99 328               
Preference shareholder                                                          
for dividends                      16 335                  33 035               
                                1 246 724    1 850 325  1 933 925               
Total equity and liabilities    2 433 615    2 932 138  3 048 570               
Gearing (%)                 10         51          105         47               
Tangible net asset                                                              
value per share, fully                                                          
diluted (cents)             11        117          985        111               
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT      Six months   Six months       Year               
                                    ended        ended      ended               
                              31 December  31 December    30 June               
2002         2001       2002               
                                unaudited    unaudited    audited               
                          Note     R000"s       R000"s     R000"s               
Cash receipts                                                                   
from customers                  1 484 708    1 503 772  3 007 307               
Continuing                      1 483 724    1 458 909  2 922 232               
Discontinued                          984       44 863     85 075               
Cash generated from trading       147 368      143 805    174 008               
Net increase in                                                                 
working capital                  (116 207)     (26 542)   (42 443)              
Cash generated                                                                  
from operations                    31 161      117 263    131 565               
Net financing costs paid    12    (62 253)    (104 678)  (199 633)              
Taxation paid                      (9 601)      (6 538)   (13 403)              
Cash utilised by                                                                
operating activities              (40 693)       6 047    (81 471)              
Closure and other                                                               
exceptional costs paid            (29 791)     (30 399)   (51 851)              
Preference dividends paid         (16 700)                                      
Net cash utilised                 (87 184)     (24 352)  (133 322)              
Acquisition of business                        (87 301)   (87 301)              
Net capital expenditure           (10 946)     (13 140)   (24 783)              
Portion of proceeds on                                                          
sale of microloan business         13 829                  35 000               
Insurance companies"                                                            
investments                       (11 634)         723     (6 537)              
Cash outflows from                                                              
investment activities              (8 751)     (99 718)   (83 621)              
Decrease in interest                                                            
bearing bank borrowings          (689 708)     136 495    292 312               
Decrease in liability                                                           
portion of preference shares                   (12 514)   (25 872)              
Settlement of debt portion                                                      
of compulsorily                                                                 
convertible debentures                                    (46 334)              
Ordinary shareholder funding      785 636                  (3 312)              
Cash inflows from                                                               
financing activities               95 928      123 981    216 794               
Net decrease in cash and                                                        
cash equivalents                       (7)         (89)      (149)              
Cash and cash equivalents                                                       
at the beginning of the period        220          369        369               
Cash and cash equivalents at                                                    
the end of the period                 213          280        220               
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS" EQUITY                     
                        Ordinary              Distribut-                        
               Share       share        Non-        able                        
             capital capital and   distribut-   reserves/                       
and  premium to        able    (Accumu-                        
             premium   be issued    reserves  lated loss)     Total             
              R000"s      R000"s      R000"s      R000"s     R000"s             
Balance at                                                                      
30 June 2001,                                                                   
as previously                                                                   
reported     391 245                  66 609     122 819    580 673             
Prior year                                                                      
adjustment                                                                      
(refer note 2)                                                                  
- Restatement                                                                   
of foreign                                                                      
operations to                                                                   
foreign entities                       3 964      (3 964)         -             
Balance at                                                                      
30 June 2001,                                                                   
restated     391 245                  70 573     118 855    580 673             
Liability                                                                       
portion of                                                                      
preference                                                                      
dividends                                                                       
transferred                                                                     
from retained                                                                   
surplus                               12 514     (12 514)         -             
Gain on                                                                         
translation of                                                                  
foreign entities                       8 871                  8 871             
Attributable                                                                    
earnings for                                                                    
the period                                        21 295     21 295             
Balance at                                                                      
31 December 2001,                                                               
restated     391 245                  91 958     127 636    610 839             
Ordinary share                                                                  
capital and                                                                     
premium to                                                                      
be issued              1 269 551    (115 464)             1 154 087             
Liability portion                                                               
of preference                                                                   
dividends                                                                       
transferred from                                                                
retained surplus                      42 841    (42 841)          -             
Insurance statutory                                                             
contingency reserve                                                             
movement                                 187       (187)          -             
Realisation of                                                                  
investment                                                                      
revaluation reserve                      267                    267             
Botswana capital                                                                
adequacy reserve                                                                
movement                               2 428     (2 428)          -             
Gain on translation                                                             
of foreign entities                    5 434                  5 434             
Prior year                                                                      
adjustment: (adoption                                                           
of AC133)                                                                       
- Fair value of                                                                 
derivative instruments                           (1 254)     (1 254)            
Attributable loss                                                               
for the period                                 (654 728)   (654 728)            
Balance at                                                                      
30 June 2002,                                                                   
restated     391 245   1 269 551      27 651   (573 802)  1 114 645             
Net present                                                                     
value discount                                                                  
on rights                                                                       
issue                                                                           
proceeds     16 965                             (16 965)          -             
Share issue                                                                     
expenses     (4 192)                                         (4 192)            
Ordinary                                                                        
share capital                                                                   
and premium                                                                     
issued     1 269 551  (1 269 551)                                 -             
Loss on                                                                         
translation                                                                     
of foreign                                                                      
entities                              (6 263)                (6 263)            
Attributable                                                                    
earnings for                                                                    
the period                                       82 701      82 701             
Balance at                                                                      
31 December                                                                     
2002       1 673 569           -      21 388   (508 066)  1 186 891             
GROUP SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS          Six months  Six months       Year             
                                       ended       ended      ended             
                                 31 December 31 December    30 June             
                                        2002        2001       2002             
unaudited   unaudited    audited             
                                      R000"s      R000"s     R000"s             
Turnover                                                                        
Value retailing                      421 270     425 047    815 768             
Credit chains                        776 751     847 018  1 497 759             
Microlending finance charges                                                    
earned (discontinued)                  3 624      45 561     90 857             
Repair services                       35 742      37 091     76 205             
Total                              1 237 387   1 354 717  2 480 589             
EBITDA                                                                          
Value retailing                       12 985      12 938     17 136             
Credit chains                        117 437     108 708    122 341             
Microlending (discontinued)            3 190      17 127     29 801             
Insurance and repair services         21 720      19 184     24 671             
Corporate                             (7 486)    (14 638)   (22 179)            
Total                                147 846     143 319    171 770             
Gross capital expenditure                                                       
Value retailing                        6 124       7 126     13 914             
Credit chains                         11 158       8 525     13 491             
Microlending (discontinued)                          129        257             
Insurance and repair services          1 031       1 259      2 352             
Total                                 18 313      17 039     30 014             
Depreciation and amortisation                                                   
Value retailing                        5 815       7 446     14 620             
Credit chains                          8 113       9 981     18 719             
Microlending (discontinued)                           56        125             
Insurance and repair services          1 585       1 655      3 321             
Corporate                                600       3 917      7 122             
Total                                 16 113      23 055     43 907             
                                 31 December 31 December    30 June             
                                        2002        2001       2002             
                                   unaudited   unaudited    audited             
R000"s      R000"s     R000"s             
Total assets                                                                    
Value retailing                      362 129     439 933    533 044             
Credit chains                      1 835 461   2 067 952  2 215 236             
Microlending (discontinued)             (478)    107 511      8 614             
Insurance and repair services        236 503     316 742    291 676             
Total                              2 433 615   2 932 138  3 048 570             
Interest bearing bank borrowings                                                
Value retailing                       65 010      81 766    101 827             
Credit chains                        506 197     846 807  1 049 775             
Microlending (discontinued)           30 344      93 156     25 944             
Corporate - acquisition funding                  113 713    113 713             
Total                                601 551   1 135 442  1 291 259             
Interest free liabilities                                                       
Value retailing                      179 106     201 238    219 259             
Credit chains                        421 145     500 760    350 786             
Microlending (discontinued)            2 099         949      1 259             
Insurance and repair services         12 819      11 936     38 327             
Amount due to vendor                  13 669                                    
Corporate - preference                                                          
shareholder for dividends             16 335                 33 035             
Total                                645 173     714 883    642 666             
NOTES                                                                           
Note 1 - Accounting policies and basis of accounting                            
The principal accounting policies and basis of accounting used, are in all      
material respects consistently applied, except for the adoption of AC133,       
"Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement" and accounting for the     
Group"s Botswana subsidiaries as foreign entities as opposed to foreign         
operations as noted in note 2. These policies conform with South African        
Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("GAAP").                  
Consistent with prior periods, for administrative purposes, trading month-ends  
close on the seventh of each subsequent month.                                  
Note 2 - Changes in accounting policy, accounting basis and prior year          
adjustment                                                                      
AC133                                                                           
During the period, the Group changed its accounting basis relating to financial 
instruments in accordance with AC133, "Financial Instruments: Recognition and   
Measurement". The Group now reflects its provision for doubtful debts as the    
difference between the nominal value of accounts receivable and the present     
value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the effective rate        
implicit to each contract. Previously, a provision was raised for total gross   
arrears. This change had the effect of increasing the current period"s profit   
before tax by R29,2 million. This adjustment has been treated as a change in    
estimate, as required by paragraph 172-10 of the implementation guidance as     
issued by the IAS 39 Implementation Guidance Committee. This amount has been    
reflected as an exceptional gain. Refer note 4.                                 
Furthermore, the Group now reflects the fair value of derivative instruments,   
which include foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps, on the balance
sheet with all movements being recognised through the income statement.         
However, in view of the uncertainties in the insurance industry regarding the   
treatment, in terms of AC133, of insurance contracts that contain both an       
insurance risk element and a financial risk element, the Group has not applied  
AC133 to its insurance companies at the interim stage.                          
Reclassification of foreign entities                                            
The Group has reassessed its previous classification of its Botswana            
subsidiaries as foreign operations. As the Botswana subsidiaries operate as     
independent entities with the majority of their transactions conducted in the   
local currency, Pula, the directors consider that classifying these subsidiaries
as foreign entities more appropriately reflects the substance of the underlying 
transactions in these entities. Prior period results have been restated         
accordingly. This change had no effect on total shareholders" equity, but       
increased the current period"s profit before tax by R6,3 million. With respect  
to the six months ended 31 December 2001, profit before tax was reduced by R8,9 
million and in respect of the prior year ended 30 June 2002, profit before tax  
was reduced by R14,3 million.                                                   
The effects of these changes are shown in the Statement of Changes in Ordinary  
Shareholders" Equity.                                                           
                                  Six months  Six months      Year              
ended       ended     ended              
                                 31 December 31 December   30 June              
                                        2002        2001      2002              
                                   unaudited   unaudited   audited              
R000"s      R000"s    R000"s              
Note 3 - Turnover                                                               
Comprises:                                                                      
Cash sales                           486 067    440 315    866 110              
Credit sales                         564 318    645 075  1 091 772              
Total sales                        1 050 385  1 085 390  1 957 882              
Finance charges earned                                                          
- continuing                         183 378    223 766    431 850              
Finance charges earned                                                          
- discontinued                         3 624     45 561     90 857              
                                   1 237 387  1 354 717  2 480 589              
Note 4 - Exceptional gain                                                       
Comprises:                                                                      
Adoption of AC133 -                                                             
reduction in opening provision                                                  
for doubtful debts                    29 224                                    
Set-up and settlement costs                                                     
of regional distribution                                                        
centre contract                                  (5 500)    (6 704)             
Loss on sale of microloan business                         (18 715)             
Impairment of investment                                                        
in e-commerce hub                                           (4 095)             
Restructure provision                                     (583 646)             
                                      29 224     (5 500)  (613 160)             
The adoption of AC133 during the period under review resulted in a reassessment 
of the Group"s opening provision for doubtful debts, which reduced the Group"s  
opening provision for doubtful debts by R29,2 million.                          
Note 5 - Share of joint venture loss and discontinued operation                 
With effect from 6 July 2002, the bulk of the microloan business of the Group   
was disposed of to a joint venture FNB Relyant Loans (Proprietary) Limited ("FNB
Relyant Loans"). The Group has a 30% shareholding in FNB Relyant Loans. As a    
result of the disposal, the results of the microloan business retained have been
reflected as a discontinued operation for the current and prior years.          
Furthermore, during the current period a strategic review of FNB Relyant Loans  
revealed that due to stricter credit granting the business volumes of FNB       
Relyant Loans were not sufficient to sustain the business and as a result a     
decision was made to discontinue FNB Relyant Loans with effect from December    
2002.                                                                           
The R5,5 million, which includes estimated closure costs represents the Group"s 
30% share of FNB Relyant Loans" after tax loss for the six months ended 31      
December 2002.                                                                  
                                 31 December  31 December   30 June             
                                        2002         2001      2002             
                                  unaudited     unaudited   audited             
000"s        000"s     000"s             
Note 6 - Ordinary shares in issue                                               
Total ordinary shares in                                                        
issue - closing                      966 367       75 165    75 165             
Treasury shares held by the                                                     
Relyant Share Option Trust            (7 089)      (7 089)   (7 089)            
Ordinary shares in issue - closing   959 278       68 076    68 076             
Total ordinary shares in issue                                                  
- weighted average                   818 942       75 165    75 165             
Treasury shares held by                                                         
the Relyant Share Option Trust        (7 089)      (7 089)   (7 089)            
Ordinary shares in issue                                                        
- weighted average                   811 853       68 076    68 076             
Note 7 - Fully diluted shares                                                   
- weighted average                                                              
Total fully diluted shares                                                      
- weighted average                   830 382      104 087   104 087             
Treasury shares held by                                                         
the Relyant Share Option Trust        (7 089)      (7 089)   (7 089)            
Rights to acquire Relyant                                                       
shares held by the Relyant                                                      
Executive Share Purchase Trust        (1 029)      (1 029)   (1 029)            
Fully diluted shares                                                            
- weighted average                   822 264       95 969    95 969             
Note 8 - Insurance companies" investments                                       
                                      R000"s      R000"s     R000"s             
Comprises:                                                                      
Listed shares                         24 350       9 903      7 340             
Money market instruments              41 262      35 945     46 326             
                                      65 612      45 848     53 666             
Note 9 - Accounts receivable                                                    
Gross instalment debtors           2 061 321   2 277 447  1 847 436             
Provision for unearned income      (289 197)    (278 260)  (231 900)            
Provision for doubtful debts       (335 881)    (168 816)  (330 421)            
Net instalment debtors             1 436 243   1 830 371  1 285 115             
Net microloan debtors                            111 320                        
Net trade debtors                     (2 776)      4 366     (3 654)            
                                   1 433 467   1 946 057  1 281 461             
The Group has ceded its accounts receivable book to its principal bankers as    
security for the facilities granted.                                            
31 December 31 December    30 June             
                                        2002        2001       2002             
                                   unaudited   unaudited    audited             
                                      R000"s      R000"s     R000"s             
Note 10 - Gearing                                                               
Total shareholders" equity                                                      
per balance sheet                  1 186 891   1 038 972  1 114 645             
Add: Long term liability,                                                       
per AC125                                         42 841                        
Adjusted total                                                                  
shareholders" equity               1 186 891   1 081 813  1 114 645             
Interest bearing bank borrowings     601 551   1 135 442  1 291 259             
Less: Proceeds of new share                                                     
issues net of costs                                        (769 551)            
Borrowings - including net                                                      
share issue proceeds                                                            
to be received                       601 551   1 135 442   521 708              
Gearing - including net share                                                   
issue proceeds to be received            51%        105%       47%              
Gearing - before recapitalisation                             116%              
This calculation of gearing does not take into account the cash on deposit held 
by the Group"s insurance companies, amounting to R41,3 million at 31 December   
2002.                                                                           
Note 11 - Tangible net asset value per share                                    
This is calculated by dividing total shareholders" equity, less intangible      
assets, by the closing number of ordinary shares, on a fully diluted basis:     
Total shareholders" equity                                                      
per balance sheet                  1 186 891   1 038 972  1 114 645             
Add: Long term liability, per AC125               42 841                        
Less: Goodwill                       (13 504)    (58 230)    (2 954)            
Less: Trademarks                     (36 747)    (78 287)   (39 321)            
Adjusted total                                                                  
shareholders" equity               1 136 640     945 296  1 072 370             
Closing number of ordinary                                                      
shares, fully diluted (000"s)       969 689       95 969    969 689             
Tangible net asset value per                                                    
share, fully diluted (cents)            117          985        111             
                                 Six months   Six months       Year             
                                      ended        ended      ended             
                                31 December  31 December    30 June             
2002         2001       2002             
                                  unaudited    unaudited    audited             
                                     R000"s       R000"s     R000"s             
Note 12 - Net financing costs paid                                              
Net financing costs per                                                         
income statement                     39 624      72 638     170 557             
Movement in accrued interest          5 664      32 040      29 076             
Net present value discount on                                                   
rights issue proceeds                16 965                                     
Net financing costs paid             62 253     104 678     199 633             
Note 13 - Capital expenditure                                                   
Incurred                             18 313      17 039      30 014             
31 December  31 December    30 June             
                                       2002        2001        2002             
                                  unaudited   unaudited     audited             
                                     R000"s      R000"s      R000"s             
Committed                             3 753       3 342         782             
Authorised but not contracted        11 425      29 704      39 151             
Note 14 - Commitments                                                           
Operating lease commitments         562 732      578 739    519 664             
Note 15 - Related party transactions                                            
Related parties exist within the Group. However, all purchasing and selling     
transactions are concluded at arm"s length. The Group"s insurance subsidiaries  
conduct certain insurance and re-insurance business with a director of the      
insurance subsidiaries, all at arm"s length.                                    
During the period, the Group acquired the assets and liabilities of Grahams     
World of Furniture (Proprietary) Limited (two stores), of which a minority      
shareholder is now employed by the Group as a senior executive. This transaction
was concluded at arm"s length.                                                  
COMMENTS                                                                        
Trading                                                                         
Trading conditions in the retail durables market and, more particularly the     
credit markets, were extremely difficult and specifically deteriorated during   
November and December 2002. Interest rate increases and in particular the high  
level of inflation, especially relating to food prices, had a negative effect on
the disposable income of consumers. Also, the strengthening of the Rand has     
resulted in many consumers delaying their purchases of durables in anticipation 
of potential price decreases.                                                   
The decline in sales was also influenced by management"s determined efforts to  
ensure that the quality of credit granting was maintained and, in certain brands
made more stringent, resulting in credit sales during the period shrinking by   
12,5%. On the other hand total cash sales increased by 10,4% over the prior year
period.                                                                         
The very low level of sales from the Group"s Botswana operations as a result of 
the prolonged Government and municipal strikes in Botswana also had a material  
negative effect on the Group"s sales performance.                               
Management"s stated objective of ensuring better margin business had a negative 
influence on sales volumes, but resulted in an increase in the gross profit     
percentage to sales of 35,8% for the period, compared with last period"s        
achievement of 34,8%.                                                           
Although Usury rates increased, finance charges from continuing operations were 
severely impacted by the decline in credit sales and the high level of cash     
sales. The Group achieved better "hit-rates"  on its miscellaneous income, being
insurance sales and delivery charges. Overheads were strictly controlled and,   
excluding credit control costs which declined by 47%, reduced by 3% in relation 
to the comparable period last year.                                             
Earnings                                                                        
Although turnover from continuing operations decreased by 5,8%, EBITDA from     
continuing operations increased by 14,6% especially due to the successful effort
to reduce overheads in all areas of the Group. The trading profit margin from   
continuing operations improved by 31,6% from 7,9% for the prior year period to  
10,4% for the current year period.                                              
The significant decrease of R33 million in net financing costs, mainly as a     
result of the recapitalisation at the end of the prior year, coupled with the   
increase in trading profit resulted in an increase of 93,4% in the Group"s      
profit before exceptional items to R92 million.                                 
Exceptional item                                                                
The adoption of AC133 during the period under review, resulted in a reduction of
the Group"s opening provision for doubtful debts of R29,2 million, which has    
been disclosed as an exceptional gain.                                          
After exceptional items and the Group"s share of the joint venture loss, the    
Group achieved attributable earnings of R83 million (December 2001: R21         
million), which translates into headline earnings per share of 10 cents, on a   
fully diluted basis.                                                            
Dividend                                                                        
No dividend has been declared at this interim stage.                            
Credit management                                                               
Ongoing strict credit granting criteria, enhanced by sophisticated electronic in
store scorecards that have been in place for more than two years, coupled with  
the implementation of the TRIAD Adaptive Control Software during the period,    
which will lead to improved collections and reduced credit control costs,       
ensured that the debtors" book remains well controlled.                         
Total arrears, which are measured on a gross basis and which traditionally peak 
in December, have reduced to 16,3% compared with December 2001 (17,2%). Total   
provisions against the gross instalment debtors book now represent 30,3% (31    
December 2001: 19,6%; 30 June 2002: 30,4%).                                     
Cash flow and financial position                                                
The Group"s policy of paying suppliers according to terms was strictly applied  
at 31 December 2002, which resulted in a reduction in trade creditors amounting 
to R168 million compared to 31 December 2001. As a result, after taking this    
factor into account, on a comparable basis, working capital requirements in fact
improved by R78 million over the prior year.                                    
Cash generated from operations amounted to R31 million.                         
Interest bearing bank borrowings at 31 December 2002 amounted to R602 million   
(31 December 2001: R1 135 million). Gearing has increased from 47% at 30 June   
2002 to 51% at 31 December 2002 due to seasonal factors, but is expected to     
decrease to below 50% by 30 June 2003.                                          
Directorate                                                                     
Chris Wells, Chief Executive Officer, has resigned from the Board with immediate
effect.                                                                         
Chris led the Group through the merger of Amrel and Bears and most recently     
through the successful recapitalisation process. Having completed this demanding
process, Chris has decided that he wishes to seek fresh challenges. The Board   
would like to record its appreciation of Chris" contribution to the Group and to
wish him every success in                                                       
the future.                                                                     
Cautionary announcement                                                         
The shareholders of Relyant are advised that the company has entered into       
negotiations, which if successfully concluded, may have a material effect on the
price at which the Relyant shares trade on the JSE Securities Exchange South    
Africa.                                                                         
Accordingly, shareholders are advised to exercise caution when dealing in their 
Relyant shares until a further announcement is made.                            
Prospects                                                                       
The environment for retail durables is extremely difficult and has tightened    
since Christmas. Whilst we are not forecasting short-term improvements in our   
markets, the strength of our balance sheet will enable the Group to trade       
competitively through this period.                                              
The directors remain committed to further improve the operating performance of  
the Group.                                                                      
For and on behalf of the Board                                                  
PJB Pohlmann                         RBG Sinclair                               
Chairman                             Chief Financial Officer                    
27 March 2003                                                                   
Non-executive Directors:                                                        
PJB Pohlmann(1) (Chairman),  HM Khoza,  MT Lategan,  MC Leigh,  JM Moore(2)     
Executive Director:                                                             
RBG Sinclair                                                                    
(1)  German                                                                     
(2)  British                                                                    
Registered office                                                               
Relyant House,                                                                  
131 Van Beek Street,                                                            
Ellis Park, 2094                                                                
Telephone (011) 401-5000                                                        
Transfer secretaries                                                            
Computershare Investor Services Limited,                                        
9th floor, 70 Marshall Street                                                   
Johannesburg, 2001.                                                             
Telephone (011) 492-1620/9                                                      
Auditors                                                                        
Deloitte & Touche                                                               
Internet site                                                                   
www.relyant.co.za                                                               


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