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Mon 14 Nov 2005, 7:02 Telkom SA Limited - Abridged Group interim results
Telkom SA Limited - Abridged Group interim results for the six                  
months ended September 30, 2005                                                 
Telkom SA Limited                                                               
(Registration number 1991/005476/06)                                            
JSE and NYSE share symbol: TKG ISIN: ZAE000044897                               
Abridged Group interim results for the six months ended September               
30, 2005                                                                        
Highlights                                                                      
* Basic earnings per share growth of 46.3% to 792.7 cents per                   
share                                                                           
* Headline earnings per share growth of 35.0% to 775.9 cents per                
share                                                                           
* Group net debt to equity reduced to 44.1%                                     
Highlights                                                                      
Financial highlights                                                            
Johannesburg, South Africa - November 14, 2005, Telkom SA Limited               
(JSE and NYSE: TKG), South Africa"s largest communications group                
today announced Group interim results for the six months ended                  
September 30, 2005. The Group delivered a strong performance                    
across both business segments primarily as a result of continued                
growth in the mobile sector and cost reductions in the fixed line               
business.                                                                       
The company paid an annual dividend of 400 cents per share and a                
special dividend of 500 cents per share on July 8, 2005.                        
Group financial highlights for the six months ended September 30,               
2005                                                                            
Operating revenue up 9.9% to R23,456 million                                    
37.3% growth in operating profit to R7,517 million                              
44.5% Group EBITDA margin                                                       
11.5% decrease in net debt to R10,935 million, and net debt to                  
equity of 44.1%                                                                 
Headline earnings increased by 35.0% to 775.9 cents per share                   
Basic earnings increased by 46.3% to 792.7 cents per share                      
Statement by Papi Molotsane, Chief Executive Officer:                           
"The Telkom Group has once again delivered a strong set of                      
financial results from both business segments.                                  
Through focused strategies implemented previously and continued in              
the current period and the dedication shown by the Telkom Group                 
employees, the Group has generated excellent cash flows resulting               
in an improved balance sheet. This was achieved despite capital                 
expenditure being funded from operating cash flow, the payment of               
an annual and special dividend and the repurchase of Telkom                     
shares.                                                                         
Profit growth is a result of strong mobile and data revenue                     
growth, cost reductions in the fixed line business, continued                   
growth in Vodacom"s South African customer base and reduced                     
finance charges.                                                                
The second half of the financial year will be characterised by a                
profound focus on customer service excellence and the acceleration              
of broadband adoption. We are well positioned to drive further                  
growth of the business and to make a meaningful contribution to                 
the economy and all South Africans."                                            
Earnings momentum maintained                                                    
The Group has delivered a strong performance for the six months                 
ended September 30, 2005. Group operating revenue increased by                  
9.9% to R23,456 million and operating profit increased 37.3% to                 
R7,517 million. The Group EBITDA margin increased to 44.5%                      
compared to 40.6% at September 30, 2004 mainly due to lower                     
employee costs as a result of workforce reductions and expanded                 
mobile margins.                                                                 
Headline earnings per share grew 35.0% to 775.9 cents and basic                 
earnings per share grew 46.3% to 792.7 cents. The strong growth in              
earnings was attributed to a 37.3% increase in operating profit                 
and a 20.3% reduction in net finance charges.                                   
Cash generated from operations increased 14.9% to R8,625 million                
and facilitated capital expenditure of R3,084 million and the                   
repurchase of Telkom shares to the value of R1,502 million. Our                 
net debt to equity ratio of 44.1% at September 30, 2005 is below                
the announced targeted range of between 50% and 70%.                            
Operational review                                                              
Creating and delivering stakeholder value                                       
During the six months ended September 30, 2005, the Group                       
continued with its strategy to create and deliver value for                     
stakeholders through focusing on customer growth and retention,                 
driving operational excellence and sustaining marketplace                       
development through new product and service innovations. Telkom"s               
operational and financial performance remains strong enabling the               
Group to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders.                           
The fixed-line business posted modest growth in revenue of 4.3% as              
a result of low effective tariff increases and declining traffic                
volumes as a result of increased broadband adoption and the                     
resultant loss of internet dial up minutes. This was offset by the              
increasing adoption of data services in consumer, small and medium              
business markets. Fixed-line operating margins increased by 23.2%               
mainly as a result of improved efficiencies and the further                     
implementation of cost reductions.                                              
Driven by continued customer growth in South Africa and other                   
African countries, the mobile business maintained its strong                    
performance. Vodacom firmly remained the market leader in South                 
Africa. It achieved a substantial increase of 41.8% in customers                
and an increased level of 5,635 million in gross connections in                 
South Africa and other African countries. The declining trend in                
ARPU remains in tact as volume growth continues in the lower                    
income segments.                                                                
Driving greater adoption of data services across all markets                    
Telkom increased fixed-line data revenue (before inter-segmental                
eliminations) by 17.5% during the six months ended September, 30,               
2005. In the consumer and small business market, ADSL adoption                  
accelerated as a result of reduced tariffs, new lower speed ADSL                
products and extensive marketing campaigns. ADSL services                       
increased 161.2% to 95,290. Telkom has partnered with Intel in                  
successfully trialling WiMAX to enable future broadband demand to               
be captured, to complement ASDL deployment. Telkom successfully                 
launched the Telkom Internet PC bundles combining a personal                    
computer, inclusive minutes and internet access via dial up, ISDN               
or ADSL.                                                                        
Telkom remains focused on becoming the ICT solutions partner for                
corporate and business customers as evidenced by the increasing                 
penetration of value added data services such as data hosting and               
managed network care to corporate and business customers,                       
resulting in 32% growth in managed data network sites.                          
Lowering the cost and expanding the reach of telecommunications in              
South Africa                                                                    
In line with Telkom"s desire to bring down costs of doing business              
in South Africa, Telkom announced an overall average tariff                     
decrease of 3% on its basket of products and services with effect               
from September 1, 2005. This is well below Government"s target                  
inflation range of between 3% and 6%.                                           
There is still a need to rebalance certain tariffs to eliminate                 
any cross subsidisation and allow for effective competition in all              
areas going forward.                                                            
Telkom also focused on offering value-for-money services to meet                
the current needs of customers, The Group therefore concentrated                
on brininging new products to the market, launching bundled minute              
packages and calling plans.                                                     
Utilising technology to create value                                            
Telkom"s long term success is dependent on deploying an Internet                
Protocol (IP)-based Next Generation Network.                                    
Investment in the evolution of Telkom"s network is a key                        
imperative to transform Telkom from its Time Division Multiplex                 
(TDM) network to an IP-based Next Generation Network. Telkom                    
intends to adopt a phased approach driven by customer                           
requirements. The Group seeks to ensure that maximum benefit is                 
derived from existing equipment and will  manage the required                   
investment. Telkom is trialling a converged, softswitching                      
capability to support VoIP solutions which provide advanced call                
control, hosted IP telephony and IP PBX solutions. In the PBX                   
arena, Telkom already has a comprehensive offering aligned to                   
customer requirements. In addition, Telkom has established new                  
Global VoIP points of presences in various international centres                
in an effort to attract global telecommunication traffic.                       
Operations Support Systems continued to drive productivity and                  
efficiency  gains. Ongoing progress in the areas of customer                    
relationship management and service provisioning and assurance,                 
have resulted in cost savings, improved customer service and                    
increased efficiencies - especially in the automated workforce                  
management arena.                                                               
Operational excellence                                                          
Telkom has increased its focus on improving customer service and                
customer satisfaction levels. The company embarked on a country-                
wide drive to reposition and transform the company"s customer                   
service branches and TelkomDirect, into world-class retail outlets              
which will simplify and further improve the customer interface. At              
the same time, Telkom continued with the process of closing down                
non-viable outlets.                                                             
A key factor in delivering customer satisfaction is network                     
reliability. Telkom continues to invest in equipment and skills to              
improve reliability and reduce network down time. Over the period               
the Group has continued to achieve higher levels of network                     
reliability. Despite some short-term service-related challenges in              
the fixed-line business in the last quarter of the 2005 financial               
year, Telkom managed to reduce the overall fault rate. The field                
force team, which delivers service to customers, achieved                       
significant savings through an 8.1% reduction in the vehicle                    
fleet, reduced dispatches due to a reduction in repeat faults and               
theft and breakage incidents. Telkom continued optimisation of its              
property portfolio.                                                             
Meaningful investment in our workforce                                          
In a challenging business environment, the commitment, skills and               
experience of Telkom"s employee base remains a key competitive                  
differentiator. Customer service and satisfaction can only be                   
achieved through content, enthusiastic and dedicated employees. To              
maintain this leadership position and to align itself with                      
changing market conditions and technology, Telkom has continued to              
invest substantially in building its skills base. During the                    
period under review, R190 million (September 30, 2004: R198                     
million) was spent on training and development of staff, totalling              
51,047 training days. There has been a dedicated effort on                      
furthering technical skills training (17,952 days) and a continued              
focus on advanced leadership development programmes as well as                  
specific programmes aimed at developing technical skills among                  
female employees.                                                               
After conducting a comprehensive health profile among its                       
employees, in 2003 Telkom launched an integrated wellness                       
programme, "Thuso" (Sotho for "Help"). The programme includes                   
voluntary counselling, testing and treatment to combat HIV/Aids                 
and to provide care to employees and their families in all their                
health-related needs.                                                           
Telkom"s commitment to quality training and skills development is               
demonstrated by their SETA (Sector Education and Training                       
Authorities) accreditation. In critical areas where skills                      
shortages have been identified, Telkom is focusing on recruiting                
and acquiring the right people and enhancing the skills base of                 
the Group.                                                                      
Telkom is continuing to look for innovative ways to improve the                 
employee"s experience of working for Telkom.                                    
Maintaining leadership in the mobile market in South Africa                     
Vodacom"s exceptional performance and customer growth once again                
exceeded expectations, further demonstrating the robust growth of               
the cellular industry in South Africa and Vodacom"s ability to                  
maintain its leadership position in this market. Vodacom South                  
Africa added gross connections of 4.2 million customers, the                    
highest level ever and increased market share to an estimated 57%.              
Vodacom continued to focus on customer care and retention, which                
saw contract customer churn at 9.3% and a lower Prepaid churn at                
18.7%.                                                                          
Vodacom grew data revenues by 52.6% to R893 million (Telkom"s 50%               
share is R447 million), largely as a result of the strong growth                
in SMS"s transmitted and new data initatives such as Vodafone                   
live!, 3G and GPRS BlackBerryRegistered, giving Vodacom a distinct              
competitive advantage in the mobile phone arena.                                
The growth in the South African mobile market continued to improve              
Telkom"s performance with the increase in the provision for                     
cellular links for the 3G network.                                              
Over 3.3 million mobile customers outside of South Africa                       
Vodacom grew its customer base in other African countries by 56.4%              
to over 3.3 million (September 30, 2004: 2.1 million). Vodacom                  
Tanzania grew its customer base by 68.7% to 1.6 million and                     
maintained  the estimated market share of 58%, further entrenching              
its leadership position. Vodacom Congo extended its estimated                   
market share to 49% and grew its customer base to 1.2 million and               
expects substantial growth from this market going forward given                 
the low level of mobile penetration. The investment in Mozambique               
continues to make inroads with 336,000 customers.                               
The Regulatory environment                                                      
Telkom faces regulatory challenges and through dialogue and a co-               
operative spirit hopes to achieve a regulatory framework that is                
clear, fair and beneficial to the industry.                                     
The Department of Communications held a Pricing Colloquium on                   
October 11 and 12, 2005, The purpose of the colloquium was to                   
investigate pricing and competitive issues in the South African                 
telecommunications market. Telkom is aware of the proceedings and               
highlighted specific areas as needing attention. Telkom continues               
to work closely with the Department of Communications and we                    
expect a fair and responsible approach by the Department towards                
Telkom and Vodacom.                                                             
Issues that received the most attention were:                                   
Unbundling of the local loop;                                                   
Cost based access to international cables being made available;                 
Self-provision of VANS; and                                                     
The prohibition of ADSL caps.                                                   
There is uncertainty as to whether VANS operators will be allowed               
to provide Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP, to the general                 
public or only to their own customers to whom they provide value                
added data services.                                                            
Developments in the regulatory arena during the period included:                
On July 17, 2005 ICASA published its findings in terms of section               
27 of the Telecommunications Act on the enquiry into the provision              
of the ADSL service. ICASA found that Telkom should not charge a                
monthly access fee for ADSL services but an initial once-off fee.               
In addition ICASA found that the 3 gigabyte cap on the service was              
harmful to consumers and will look to increase the cap. Telkom has              
since made oral and written submissions to ICASA.                               
The Minister approved the price control regulation effective from               
September 1, 2005 to July 31, 2008. The price control regulation                
states Telkom may not increase tariffs on a basket of products and              
service by more than CPI less a producitivity factor of 3.5%.                   
Telkom will file its tariffs in accordance with the new regulation              
with effect from August 1 each year.                                            
On September 30, 2005, the Minister approved regulations on Number              
Portability.                                                                    
The Electronic Communications Bill and the ICASA Amendment Bill                 
were passed by the National Assembly on November 3, 2005. Both                  
Bills will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces, which              
acts as a second House of Parliament before finally being sent to               
President Thabo Mbeki for signing. Both are expected to be                      
effective early in 2006.                                                        
Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)                                    
As a South African company, BEE is an important growth imperative               
for Telkom. The Group recognises the need for the creation of a                 
sustainable marketplace by enlarging the domestic market to                     
support ongoing revenue and profit growth.                                      
Telkom and Vodacom were actively involved in the development of                 
the BEE Charter for the ICT sector. A final draft was sent to the               
Minister of Communications in May 2005 and it is now in the                     
process of Cabinet approval. Under the Charter Telkom believes it               
would be considered a "good contributor" to broad-based BEE.                    
Telkom has identified the areas of equity ownership, preferential               
procurement and skills development as focus areas for broad-based               
BEE.                                                                            
Group performance                                                               
Group operating revenue                                                         
Group operating revenue increased 9.9% to R23,456 million                       
(September 30, 2004: R21,338 million) in the six months ended                   
September 30, 2005. Fixed-line operating revenue, after inter-                  
segmental eliminations, increased 4.1% to R16,083 million                       
primarily due to solid growth in data services and increased                    
subscription revenue. Mobile operating revenue, after inter-                    
segmental eliminations, increased 25.3% to R7,373 million                       
primarily due to customer growth.                                               
Group operating expenses                                                        
Group operating expenses increased 1.4% to R16,226 million                      
(September 30, 2004: R15,997 million) in the six months ended                   
September 30, 2005 due to a 12.4% increase in operating expenses                
in the mobile segment to R5,671 million (after inter-segmental                  
eliminations). This was partially offset by a 3.6% decrease in the              
fixed-line operating expenses to R10,5554 million (after inter-                 
segmental eliminations) primarily due to reduced employee                       
expenses, depreciation, amortisation, impairment and write-offs,                
services rendered and operating leases, partially offset by an                  
increase in payments to other operators. The increase in mobile                 
operating expenses of 12.4% was primarily due to increased gross                
connections resulting in increased incentive costs and expenses to              
support customer growth. Mobile payments to other operators also                
increased as a result of the increased outgoing traffic and the                 
higher volume growth of more expensive outgoing traffic                         
terminating on other mobile networks relative to traffic                        
terminating on the lower cost fixed-line network.                               
Investment income                                                               
Investment income consists of interest received on short-term                   
investments and bank accounts. Investment income increased 61.9%                
to R217 million (September 30, 2004: R134 million) primarily as a               
result of higher balances in investment and bank accounts due to                
higher cash flow generated from operations.                                     
Finance charges                                                                 
Finance charges include interest paid on local and foreign                      
borrowings, amortised discounts on bonds and commercial paper                   
bills, fair value gains and losses on financial instruments and                 
foreign exchange gains and losses. Finance charges decreased 20.3%              
to R745 million (September 30, 2004: R935 million) in the six                   
months ended September 30, 2005, due to a 21.6% decrease in                     
interest expense to R704 million (September 30, 2004: R898                      
million) as a result of the redemptions of local and foreign                    
loans, the decrease in the the interest expense was partially                   
offset by an increase in Group net fair value and exchange losses               
on financial instruments of R41 million (September 30, 2004: R37                
million) primarily as a result of currency movements.                           
Included in the Group net fair value and exchange losses as an                  
offset is an increase in unrealised gains of R72 million on the                 
underlying assets and investments of the Cell Captive created to                
fund post retirement medical benefits of Telkom.                                
Taxation                                                                        
Consolidated tax expenses increased 65.2% to R2,708 million                     
(September 30, 2004: R1,640 million) in the six months ended                    
September 30, 2005. The consolidated effective tax rate for the                 
six months ended September 30, 2005 was 38.7% (September 30, 2004:              
35.1%). Telkom Company"s effective tax rate was 32.6% (September                
30, 2004: 25.5%). The higher effective tax rate for Telkom Company              
in the six months ended September 30, 2005 was primarily due to                 
the secondary taxation on companies payable in respect of                       
dividends paid. Vodacom"s  effective tax rate decreased to 37.9%                
(September 30, 2004: 43.4%). The lower effective tax rate for                   
Vodacom is largely as a result of the non-deductable expenses of                
September 30, 2004 not re-occuring.                                             
Profit for the year and earnings per share                                      
Profit for the period attributable to the equity holders of Telkom              
increased 41.4% to R4,210 million (September 30, 2004: 2,977                    
million) in the six months ended September 30, 2005.                            
Group basic earnings per share increased 46.3% to 792.7 cents                   
(September 30, 2004: 541.8 cents) and Group headline earnings per               
share increased 35.0% to 775.9 cents (September 30, 2004: 574.9                 
cents).                                                                         
Group balance sheet                                                             
Solid operating performance across the Group combined with strict               
cost discipline and debt repayment has resulted in a strengthened               
balance sheet. Net debt, after financial assets and liabilities,                
decreased 12% to R10,935 million (September 30, 2004: R12,362                   
million). The balance sheet at September 30, 2005 strengthened,                 
resulting in a net debt to equity ratio of 44.1% from 53.5% at                  
September 30, 2004. On September 30, 2005 the Group had cash                    
balances of R2,696 million.                                                     
The Group intends to maintain a targeted net debt to equity range               
of between 50% and 70% by increasing distributions to shareholders              
in the form of dividends and share buy-backs while maintaining                  
financial flexibility for potential growth opportunities. During                
the six months ended September 30, 2005, 12.1 million shares were               
repurchased for R1,502 million. These shares bought back are in                 
the process of being cancelled from the issued share capital by                 
the Registrar of Companies. Interest bearing debt, including                    
credit facilities utilised, decreased 15.4% to R13,675 million                  
(September 30, 2004: R16,168 million) in the six months ended                   
September 30, 2005. In April 2005 the 5500 million Eurobond                     
matured and was refinanced with R600 million nominal value of the               
existing TL06 bond, with the balance being refinanced with short-               
term commercial paper borrowings. The Group repaid R1,621 million               
of the newly issued commercial paper by September 30, 2005.                     
Included in foreign interest bearing debt at September 30, 2004                 
was R1,632 million in commercial paper bills that have matured .                
Telkom maintains an active dialog with the principal credit rating              
agencies, who review our ratings periodically. Moody"s Investor                 
Services and Standard & Poor"s have rated our foreign debt Baa1                 
and BBB respectively.                                                           
Group cash flow                                                                 
Cash flows from operating activities decreased 84.4% to R875                    
million (September 30, 2004: R5,595 million) primarily due to                   
higher taxation and dividend payments offset partially by                       
increased operational cash flows. Cash flows utilised in investing              
activities increased 35.3% to R3,078 million (September 30, 2004:               
R2,275 million) primarily due to increased capital expenditure in               
both the mobile and fixed-line segments. Cash raised in financing               
activities of R859 million (September 30, 2004, cash utilised:                  
R3,988 million) is due to the loans raised to refinance the                     
Eurobond, as well as cash inflows from maturing financial assets.               
These cash inflows were offset by the R1,502 million share buy-                 
back and the repayment of commercial paper bills.                               
Group capital expenditure                                                       
Group capital expenditure increased 49.2% to R3,096 million                     
(September 30, 2004: R2,075 million) and represents 13.2% of Group              
revenue (September 30, 2004: 9.7%) in line with the Group"s                     
announced guidance of maintaining capital expenditure in the range              
of 12% to 15% of Group revenues.                                                
Fixed-line capital expenditure increased 35.7% to R1,858 million                
(September 30, 2004: R1,369 million) and represents 11.3% of fixed-             
line revenue (September 30, 2004: 8.7%). Baseline expansion and                 
core support capital expenditure of R1,017 million (September 30,               
2004: R775 million) was largely for the deployment of technologies              
to support the growing data services business and expenditure for               
access line deployment in selected high growth residential areas.               
The continued focus on rehabilitating the access network and                    
increasing the efficiencies in the transport network contributed                
to the network evolution capital expenditure of R206 million                    
(September 30, 2004: R219 million).                                             
Telkom continued to focus on its operations support system                      
investment with current emphasis on workforce management,                       
provisioning and fulfilment, assurance and customer care. During                
the six months ended September 30, 2005, R515 million (September                
30, 2004: R312 million) was spent on the implementation of several              
systems.                                                                        
Mobile capital expenditure (50% of Vodacom"s capital expenditure)               
increased 75.4% to R1,238 million (September 30, 2004: R706                     
million) and represents 15.3% of mobile revenue (September 30,                  
2004: 10.7%) as a result of increased investment in South Africa                
for increased capacity and investment in new technologies such as               
3G, Vodafone live! and BlackBerryRegistered.                                    
Share repurchase, employee share ownership and dividends                        
In the six months ended September 30, 2005 the company repurchased              
12.1 million shares amounting to R1.5 billion (including costs)                 
which are to be cancelled as issued share capital and restored as               
authorized but unissued share capital.                                          
On June 23, 2005 the board approved and granted with a grant date               
of June 1, 2005, 2,024,387 shares to employees in terms of the                  
Telkom Conditional Share Plan.                                                  
The Telkom board of directors declared an annual dividend of 400                
cents per share and a special dividend of 500 cents per share on                
June 2, 2005, which was paid on July 8, 2005.                                   
The Company aims to pay an increasing dividend annually. The level              
of dividend will be based upon a number of factors, including the               
assessment of financial results, available growth opportunities,                
capital expenditure requirements, the Group"s debt level, interest              
coverage and future expectations, including internal cash flows.                
As previously communicated, Telkom aims to pay steadily growing                 
annual dividends and therefore does not intend to declare an                    
interim dividend.                                                               
Strategic direction                                                             
Telkom"s vision is to be a leading customer and employee centered               
ICT solutions service provider. It is focused on balancing the                  
needs of all stakeholders through long-term sustainable and                     
profitable growth. Its commitment to the socio-economic                         
transformation of South Africa underpins this strategy.                         
The accelerated liberalisation of the market, in particular the                 
implications of the Convergence Bill, now referred to as the                    
Electronic Communications Bill, not yet approved at the time of                 
writing, is clearly material to Telkom"s strategic intentions.                  
Telkom believes that it is strongly positioned to compete in a                  
liberalised market. Telkom believes that customer service                       
excellence through a content and dedicated workforce with greater               
product and service choice and value for customers will ensure                  
long-term value creation. Telkom intends to pursue opportunities                
to provide the full spectrum of ICT solutions including voice,                  
data, video and internet services through broadband penetration.                
To ensure that Telkom can sustain the creation of value relative                
to developments in its dynamic market environment, management have              
determined certain shifts in strategic emphasis. Telkom has chosen              
to increase its focus on customers and employees while continuing               
to balance the needs of all stakeholders.                                       
Telkom will focus on the following imperatives to support growth:               
Enhancing customer satisfaction through customer centricity;                    
Retaining revenue and generating growth;                                        
Evolving the network to a next generation network in order to                   
support profitable growth through prudent cost management;                      
Engaging its employees; and                                                     
Reposition Telkom stakeholder management to create healthy                      
external relationships.                                                         
The realisation of Telkom"s strategic intentions ultimately lies                
in the hands of Telkom"s people. Product, service and operational               
innovation vests mostly in people. As such, Telkom has committed                
to invest significantly in its people as the drivers of                         
innovation, excellence and growth.                                              
Telkom"s growth is not limited to South Africa and opportunities                
are being explored outside our borders where growth potential                   
exists.                                                                         
The evolution to an IP network is a business imperative. Not only               
does Telkom believe that costs over the longer term of operating                
the network will reduce, but Telkom will also have the ability to               
deliver fully converged products and services to meet our                       
customers" needs in the rapidly changing technological                          
environment. Acceleration of Telkom"s broadband penetration is a                
critical element of this strategy.                                              
Increased investment in Telkom"s network in a phased approach will              
be required to exploit new opportunities in the ICT solutions                   
market and bring down the cost of telecommunications in South                   
Africa.                                                                         
Given the centrality of ICT to economic growth and social                       
development, Telkom remains strategically important to the                      
achievement of national objectives and will continue to invest                  
significantly in the development of a viable and vibrant                        
marketplace.                                                                    
Telkom has a strong, capable and diverse management team with a                 
clear sense of direction and a commitment to driving shareholder                
returns. The Group stands ready for a new and exciting phase of                 
development.                                                                    
NE Mtshotshisa                LRR Molotsane                                     
Non-executive Chairperson     Chief Executive Officer                           
14 November, 2005                                                               
Company registered office         Board of directors                            
Telkom SA Limited                 Nomazizi Mtshotshisa (Chairman)               
1991/005476/06,                                                                 
Telkom Towers North, 152 Proes    Papi Molotsane (CEO)                          
Street                            Thenjiwe Chikane; Brahm du                    
                                  Plessis; Tshepo Mahloele;                     
Pretoria, 0002, South Africa      Thabo Mosololi; Marius Mostert;               
Sibusiso Luthuli; Dumisani                    
Private Bag X881, Pretoria, 0001  Tabata; Yekani Tenza; Lazarus                 
                                  Zim                                           
Sponsor                                                                         
UBS South Africa (Proprietary) Limited                                          
This information is also available on Telkom"s investor relations               
website http://www.telkom.co.za/ir                                              
Summarised Group financial statements                                           
Audit review report                                                             
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements, from                   
which the abridged results have been derived, were reviewed by our              
auditors, Ernst & Young. Their unqualified review report is                     
available for inspection at the company"s registered office.                    
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements are                     
available on Telkom"s Investor Relations website and the company"s              
registered office, and will be sent to shareholders.                            
Condensed consolidated interim income statement  for the six                    
months ended September 30, 2005                                                 
                                    Audited    Restated   Reviewed              
                                   March 31     Sept 30    Sept 30              
2005        2004       2005              
                          Notes          Rm          Rm         Rm              
Operating revenue             2      43,117      21,338     23,456              
Other income                            280         133        287              
Operating expenses                   32,175      15,997     16,226              
Employee expenses             3       8,111       3,855      3,615              
Payments to other                     6,132       3,056      3,404              
operators                                                                       
Selling, general and                  8,820       4,451      4,925              
administrative                                                                  
expenses                                                                        
Services rendered                     2,021       1,022        973              
Operating leases                        803         419        388              
Depreciation,                 4       6,288       3,194      2,921              
amortisation,                                                                   
impairment and write-                                                           
offs                                                                            
Operating profit                     11,222       5,474      7,517              
Investment income                       350         134        217              
Finance charges                       1,695         935        745              
Interest                              1,686         898        704              
Foreign exchange and                      9          37         41              
fair value effect                                                               
Profit before taxation                9,877       4,673      6,989              
Taxation                              3,070       1,639      2,708              
Profit for the                        6,807       3,034      4,281              
year/period                                                                     
Attributable to:                                                                
Equity holders of                     6,724       2,977      4,210              
Telkom SA Ltd                                                                   
Minority interest                        83          57         71              
                                      6,807       3,034      4,281              
Basic earnings per            5     1,241.8       541.8      792.7              
share (cents)                                                                   
Diluted earnings per          5     1,239.4       540.9      790.0              
share (cents)                                                                   
Dividend per share            5       110.0       110.0      900.0              
(cents)                                                                         
Headline earnings                                                               
per share (cents)             5     1 274.1       574.9      775.9              
Diluted headline              5     1 271.6       574.0      773.3              
earnings per share                                                              
(cents)                                                                         
Condensed consolidated interim balance sheet                                    
at September 30, 2005                                                           
                                     Restated   Restated  Reviewed              
                                     March 31    Sept 30   Sept 30              
                                         2005       2004      2005              
Notes        Rm         Rm        Rm              
Assets                                                                          
Non-current assets                     42,686     41,261    42,868              
Property, plant and               7    37,328     36,548    37,156              
equipment                                                                       
Investment properties                      25         26        24              
Intangible assets                 8     2,278      2,394     2,656              
Investments                             2,277      1,660     2,513              
Other financial assets                    134        120       107              
Operating lease assets                     14         13        15              
Deferred expenses                         118         86       128              
Deferred taxation                         512        414       269              
Current assets                         14,911     11,390    10,517              
Current portion of other                4,940        995       287              
financial assets                                                                
Short-term investments                     69         10        10              
Current portion of deferred               214        289       229              
expenses                                                                        
Inventories                               658        621       822              
Trade and other receivables             5,820      6,372     6,473              
Cash and cash equivalents         9     3,210      3,103     2,696              
Total assets                           57,597     52,651    53,385              
Equity and liabilities                                                          
Equity attributable to                 26,827     23,100    24,818              
equity holders of Telkom SA                                                     
Ltd                                                                             
Share capital and premium        10     8,293      8,293     6,791              
Treasury shares                  10   (1,812)    (1,812)   (1,809)              
Share-based compensation         11        68         21        91              
reserve                                                                         
Non-distributable reserves                361        269       759              
Retained earnings                      19,917     16,329    18,986              
Minority interest                         220        244       314              
Total equity                           27,047     23,344    25,132              
Non-current liabilities                13,590     13,061    14,137              
Interest-bearing debt            12     9,504      9,000     9,702              
Other financial liabilities                83        166        63              
Deferred taxation                       1,226      1,047     1,382              
Operating lease liabilities                57         58        61              
Deferred revenue                          260        232       263              
Provisions                              2,460      2,558     2,666              
Current liabilities                    16,960     16,246    14,116              
Credit facilities utilised        9       909        998     1,745              
Trade and other payables                6,782      5,287     5,796              
Shareholders for dividend                   7          7         6              
Current portion of interest-     12     4,499      6,170     2,228              
bearing debt                                                                    
Current portion of deferred             1,394      1,384     1,452              
revenue                                                                         
Current portion of                      1,428      1,077     1,026              
provisions                                                                      
Income tax payable                      1,711      1,077     1,576              
Current portion of other        230       245        287                        
financial liabilities                                                           
Total liabilities                      30,550     29,307    28,253              
Total equity and                       57,597     52,651    53,385              
liabilities                                                                     
Condensed consolidated interim cash flow statement                              
for the six months ended September 30, 2005                                     
                                      Audited   Restated  Reviewed              
March 31    Sept 30   Sept 30              
                                         2005       2004      2005              
                              Notes        Rm         Rm        Rm              
Operating activities                   15,711      5,595       875              
Cash receipts from                     43,561     21,052    22,756              
customers                                                                       
Cash paid to suppliers               (24,939)   (13,548)  (14,131)              
and employees                                                                   
Cash generated from                    18,622      7,504     8,625              
operations                                                                      
Interest received                         477        214       280              
Finance charges paid                  (1,272)      (759)     (712)              
Taxation paid                         (1,487)      (757)   (2,470)              
Cash generated from                    16,340      6,202     5,723              
operations before                                                               
dividend paid                                                                   
Dividend paid                           (629)      (607)   (4,848)              
Investing activities                  (6,306)    (2,275)   (3,078)              
Proceeds on disposal of          37         6        138                        
property, plant and                                                             
equipment and intangible                                                        
assets                                                                          
Proceeds on disposal of                   267         55        15              
investment                                                                      
Additions to property,                (5,880)    (2,195)   (3,084)              
plant and equipment and                                                         
intangible assets                                                               
Additions to other                      (592)       (22)     (147)              
investments                                                                     
Acquisition of                   16     (138)      (119)         -              
subsidiaries                                                                    
Financing activities                  (9,897)    (3,988)       859              
Purchase of treasury                  (1,710)    (1,688)         -              
shares                                                                          
Share buy-back                              -          -   (1,502)              
Loans raised                            1,157        640     3,678              
Loans repaid                          (5,027)    (2,845)   (5,892)              
Finance lease capital                    (13)        (5)      (11)              
repaid                                                                          
(Increase)/decrease in      (4,304)      (90)      4,586                        
net financial assets                                                            
Net decrease in cash and                (492)      (668)   (1,344)              
cash equivalents                                                                
Net cash and cash                       2,796      2,796     2,301              
equivalents at beginning                                                        
of the year                                                                     
Effect of foreign               (3)      (23)        (6)                        
exchange rate differences                                                       
Net cash and cash                 9     2,301      2,105       951              
equivalents at end of the                                                       
year/period                                                                     
Change in comparatives                                                          
The Group reclassified Finance costs accrued from Cash paid to                  
suppliers and employees to Finance charges paid with R463 million               
for the six months ended September 30, 2004 (March 31, 2005: R463               
million).                                                                       
Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity                   
for the six months ended September 30, 2005                                     
                                   Restated    Restated   Reviewed              
                                   March 31     Sept 30    Sept 30              
2005        2004       2005              
                                         Rm          Rm         Rm              
Balance at April 1 - as              22,571      22,571     27,047              
previously stated                                                               
Attributable to equity holders       22,371      22,371     26,827              
Minority interest                       200         200        220              
Change in accounting policies          (30)        (30)          -              
Balance at April 1 - as              22,541      22,541     27,047              
restated                                                                        
Profit for the year/period            6,807       3,034      4,281              
Transfer to non-distributable           279         121        339              
reserves                                                                        
Transfer from retained                (279)       (121)      (339)              
earnings                                                                        
Foreign currency translation             12          52         58              
reserve                                                                         
Fair value adjustment on               (22)          10          -              
investments                                                                     
(Purchase)/re-issue of              (1,574)     (1,574)          3              
treasury shares                                                                 
Dividend declared                     (673)       (628)    (4,801)              
Share buy-back                            -           -    (1,502)              
Increase in share-based                  68          21         23              
compensation reserve                                                            
Purchase of subsidiary                    5           5         23              
Business combination                  (117)       (117)          -              
Balance at March 31, September       27,047      23,344     25,132              
30                                                                              
Attributable to equity holders       26,827      23,100     24,818              
Minority interest                       220         244        314              
Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial                           
statementsfor the six months ended September 30, 2005                           
1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies                                 
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been               
prepared in accordance with IAS34: Interim Financial Reporting and              
comply with the South African Companies Act, 1973. The accounting               
policies of the Group applied in the presentation of the interim                
financial statements for the six month period ended September 30,               
2005 are consistent with those applied in the financial statements              
for the year ended March 31, 2005, except as described below. The               
results of the interim period are not necessarily indicative of                 
the results for the entire year. These reviewed financial                       
statements should be read in conjunction with the audited                       
financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2005.                         
The preparation of condensed consolidated interim financial                     
statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that                   
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and                       
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the              
condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the                     
reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting                   
periods. Although these estimates are based on management"s                     
knowledge of current events and actions that the Group may                      
undertake in the future, actual results ultimately may differ from              
those estimates.                                                                
Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting                   
Standards and changes in accounting policies                                    
The following are the new and revised accounting standards that                 
have been adopted effective April 1, 2005 and the subsequent                    
impact on the accounting policies:                                              
IAS16 Property, plant and equipment                                             
Each significant component included in an item of property, plant               
and equipment is now separately recorded and depreciated. Useful                
lives and residual values are now reviewed on an annual basis. The              
adoption does not materially impact the Group"s results or cash                 
flow information for the period ended September 30, 2004 or the                 
year ended March 31, 2005.                                                      
IAS17 Leases                                                                    
A lease of land and buildings is classified by considering the                  
land and buildings elements separately. Minimum lease payments are              
allocated between the land and buildings elements in proportion to              
the relative fair values of the leasehold interest in the land and              
buildings elements of the lease. With regards to finance leases,                
initial direct costs are added to the amount recognised as an                   
asset. The adoption does not materially impact the Group"s results              
or cash flow information for the period ended September 30, 2004                
or the year ended March 31, 2005.                                               
> IAS24 Related Party Disclosures (only disclosure impact)                      
> IAS40 Investment Property (no significant impact)                             
> IFRIC1 Changes in Existing Decommissioning, Restoration and                   
Similar Liabilities (no significant impact)                                     
> IFRS4 Insurance Contracts (no significant impact)                             
> IAS19 Employee Benefits                                                       
With effect from April 1, 2005 the Group has early adopted the                  
amendments to IAS19. These amendments had no effect on the Group"s              
results for the six months ended September 30, 2005 nor the                     
financial position at that date.                                                
Restatements                                                                    
The Group has restated certain comparative figures as at September              
30, 2004 and March 31, 2005 as a result of the following:                       
> The Group restated lease payments and receipts under operating                
leases in order to recognise the expenses on a straight-line basis              
over the lease terms. The Group previously recognised the expenses              
based on the amount paid or payable for each period. This reduced               
profit for the period ended September 30, 2004 by R2 million and                
retained earnings by R32 million.                                               
> The Group previously classified all computer software as                      
property, plant and equipment. The Group reclassified computer                  
software cost and accumulated depreciation that are not considered              
integral to the related hardware to intangible assets.                          
Consequently the Group also reclassified software depreciation to               
amortisation of intangible assets. The change in classification                 
does not impact the Group"s results or cash flow information for                
the period ended September 30, 2
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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