New thread started as Epic changed from LAF to LONR - May 07.





Epic : LONR

Web Site : http://www.lonrho.com/


Its something different, and something exciting imo.



Nice recent Telegraph write up to (April 2007) :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/04/04/cnlonrho04.xml


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Lonrho Africa PLC 14 May 2007

LONRHO PLC
('Lonrho' or the 'Company')

SIGNS JOINT VENTURE WITH COUNTERMINE TO EXPLORE LANDMINE CLEARANCE OPPORTUNIITES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA


Lonrho plc ('Lonrho') (AIM: LAF) and Countermine plc, ('Countermine') are
pleased to announce a Joint Venture agreement ('Joint Venture') to jointly
develop opportunities for landmine clearance in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing
previously unusable areas of land in the region to be rehabilitated for
productive purposes. Under the terms of the Joint Venture, Lonrho will offer
funding and its extensive African business network to build the African arm of
Countermine's landmine clearance business.

Countermine and Lonrho, using the ORACLE system, will provide mine clearing
services that are more effective yet less expensive than currently available
methods. Lonrho is committed to providing services and products that support the development of African infrastructure, helping to re-invigorate local
communities. Lonrho views the strategic partnership with Countermine as a
significant development in the implementation of its strategy.

ORACLE MINE CLEARENCE

Countermine produces the ORACLE mine clearance machine. At the forefront of
mine clearance technology ORACLE is the fastest and most cost effective system
available for landmine clearance. Only the ORACLE can move forward at an
efficient rate and cost, while tilling the land to a depth of at least 50cm
preparing it for agricultural use. The ORACLE technology is tried and tested,
having been contracted to the Croatian Government (CROMAC) since 2000,
performing beyond expectations in clearing active minefields.

The ORACLE mine-clearing system is the safest land mine clearance method
currently available and is approximately 100 times faster and more effective
than manual clearing techniques. The Spitfire tool within the machine hits the
mines at such a high speed that it destroys the mines before detonation. The
physical destruction from the mine clearance neutralizes mines and disperses the explosives into the soil meaning that the land is immediately ready for
agricultural or other development.

Antipersonnel mines pose a massive threat to safety in all corners of the globe, claiming new victims every day, with between 15,000 and 20,000 new casualties caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance every year.

Countermine and Lonrho will jointly evaluate potential opportunities. Based on
the successful model already used in Croatia, a local company will be
established in each country to oversee the management and operation of the
projects. The majority of the personnel will be recruited and trained locally in each country, supporting local job creation as well as utilising the intimate local knowledge of the areas that are targeted.

LANDMINES IN AFRICA

The presence of landmines has rendered huge expanses of land in sub-Saharan
Africa unusable. It is estimated that in Angola alone there are approximately
2,900 suspected landmine areas covering a total area of some 1,300 to 1,400
square kilometres. The presence of two or three landmines or even the suspicion
of their presence can result in a large patch of land being avoided and left
derelict. (Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines: www.icbl.org and
Landmine Monitor Report 2006 www.icbl.org/lm/2006/ ).

David Lenigas, Chairman and CEO of Lonrho commented:

'We are very excited about the Joint Venture with Countermine and we see the
partnership adding value to Lonrho's growth strategy. By rehabilitating large
areas of valuable land we will make a significant difference to African
communities that have suffered terribly as a result of landmines. Countermine
brings with them a strong and experienced management team with all the required
skills and knowledge combined with the best technology available to make this
partnership work.'

Air Marshal Sir John Walker, Vice Chairman of Countermine commented:

'The very large areas around the world contaminated by landmines can only be
cleared in meaningful timescales by heavy mine clearance machinery. Manual
methods are too slow and result in heavy casualties amongst the de-miners. It
is satisfying that ORACLE can play its part in this worthwhile humanitarian
task.'

Lars Nylin, CEO of Countermine commented:

'We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Lonrho aimed at creating a safer environment in Africa. The Lonrho management team brings with them
considerable experience across a variety of industries and their experience and
local knowledge will be a key element in the success of our foray into
sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that this partnership will greatly strengthen the business in line with our strategy going forward.'

Lonrho Africa PLC
11 May 2007


Lonrho Plc
("Lonrho" or "the Company")

Name change from Lonrho Africa Plc

Following approval from shareholders at the Company's AGM, Lonrho Africa Plc has changed its name to Lonrho Plc effective from 10 May 2007.
David Lenigas, Lonrho's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive, commented:
"The change back to the original Lonrho name is consistent with our
determination to build on the strong reputation and recognition that the Lonrho brand enjoys in Africa.
The Company has already demonstrated its ability to execute value adding deals in its targeted business sectors and we believe our potential deal flow will increase through the resonance of the Lonrho brand."

11 May 2007

Lonrho Africa PLC
11 May 2007


Lonrho Plc
("Lonrho" or "the Company")

Name change from Lonrho Africa Plc

Following approval from shareholders at the Company's AGM, Lonrho Africa Plc has changed its name to Lonrho Plc effective from 10 May 2007.
David Lenigas, Lonrho's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive, commented:
"The change back to the original Lonrho name is consistent with our
determination to build on the strong reputation and recognition that the Lonrho brand enjoys in Africa.
The Company has already demonstrated its ability to execute value adding deals in its targeted business sectors and we believe our potential deal flow will increase through the resonance of the Lonrho brand."

11 May 2007

Lonrho Africa PLC 14 May 2007

LONRHO PLC
('Lonrho' or the 'Company')

SIGNS JOINT VENTURE WITH COUNTERMINE TO EXPLORE LANDMINE CLEARANCE OPPORTUNIITES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA


Lonrho plc ('Lonrho') (AIM: LAF) and Countermine plc, ('Countermine') are
pleased to announce a Joint Venture agreement ('Joint Venture') to jointly
develop opportunities for landmine clearance in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing
previously unusable areas of land in the region to be rehabilitated for
productive purposes. Under the terms of the Joint Venture, Lonrho will offer
funding and its extensive African business network to build the African arm of
Countermine's landmine clearance business.

Countermine and Lonrho, using the ORACLE system, will provide mine clearing
services that are more effective yet less expensive than currently available
methods. Lonrho is committed to providing services and products that support the development of African infrastructure, helping to re-invigorate local
communities. Lonrho views the strategic partnership with Countermine as a
significant development in the implementation of its strategy.

ORACLE MINE CLEARENCE

Countermine produces the ORACLE mine clearance machine. At the forefront of
mine clearance technology ORACLE is the fastest and most cost effective system
available for landmine clearance. Only the ORACLE can move forward at an
efficient rate and cost, while tilling the land to a depth of at least 50cm
preparing it for agricultural use. The ORACLE technology is tried and tested,
having been contracted to the Croatian Government (CROMAC) since 2000,
performing beyond expectations in clearing active minefields.

The ORACLE mine-clearing system is the safest land mine clearance method
currently available and is approximately 100 times faster and more effective
than manual clearing techniques. The Spitfire tool within the machine hits the
mines at such a high speed that it destroys the mines before detonation. The
physical destruction from the mine clearance neutralizes mines and disperses the explosives into the soil meaning that the land is immediately ready for
agricultural or other development.

Antipersonnel mines pose a massive threat to safety in all corners of the globe, claiming new victims every day, with between 15,000 and 20,000 new casualties caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance every year.

Countermine and Lonrho will jointly evaluate potential opportunities. Based on
the successful model already used in Croatia, a local company will be
established in each country to oversee the management and operation of the
projects. The majority of the personnel will be recruited and trained locally in each country, supporting local job creation as well as utilising the intimate local knowledge of the areas that are targeted.

LANDMINES IN AFRICA

The presence of landmines has rendered huge expanses of land in sub-Saharan
Africa unusable. It is estimated that in Angola alone there are approximately
2,900 suspected landmine areas covering a total area of some 1,300 to 1,400
square kilometres. The presence of two or three landmines or even the suspicion
of their presence can result in a large patch of land being avoided and left
derelict. (Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines: www.icbl.org and
Landmine Monitor Report 2006 www.icbl.org/lm/2006/ ).

David Lenigas, Chairman and CEO of Lonrho commented:

'We are very excited about the Joint Venture with Countermine and we see the
partnership adding value to Lonrho's growth strategy. By rehabilitating large
areas of valuable land we will make a significant difference to African
communities that have suffered terribly as a result of landmines. Countermine
brings with them a strong and experienced management team with all the required
skills and knowledge combined with the best technology available to make this
partnership work.'

Air Marshal Sir John Walker, Vice Chairman of Countermine commented:

'The very large areas around the world contaminated by landmines can only be
cleared in meaningful timescales by heavy mine clearance machinery. Manual
methods are too slow and result in heavy casualties amongst the de-miners. It
is satisfying that ORACLE can play its part in this worthwhile humanitarian
task.'

Lars Nylin, CEO of Countermine commented:

'We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Lonrho aimed at creating a safer environment in Africa. The Lonrho management team brings with them
considerable experience across a variety of industries and their experience and
local knowledge will be a key element in the success of our foray into
sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that this partnership will greatly strengthen the business in line with our strategy going forward.'

The article is a few months old now, so hope nobody minds it being posted.

http://www.moneyobserver.com


Money Observer January 2007

Corporate Profile

Big ideas for Tinys legacy

The Lonrho of today is just a shadow of the late Tiny Rowlands trading empire that spanned Africa. Chief executive David Lenigas tells lindsay Vincent about his ambitious plans to generate revenues of $1 billion for Lonrho Africa within the next two years

Lonrho is an institution, but then so is Broadmoor. Not infrequently, long-standing shareholders in the once mighty pan-African trading house must question whether they, too, participate in a zone of parallel weirdness.

Today, just a year after the crushed corporation appeared to be following Tiny to Boot Hill, Lonrho is again pledging to achieve greatness:

Lonrhos creator, Tiny Rowland, has departed this world, but his trademarks,
such as predictable unpredictability, live on. Today, just a year after the crushed corporation appeared to be following Tiny to Boot Hill, Lonrho is again pledging to achieve

greatness: a return to the past, when Lonrho effectively translated to Bwana, and the most powerful trading combine in sub-Saharan Africa. The projections are nothing if not heady: $1 billion (512 million) of revenues within two years,
trading profits of $100 million and a spread of assets, from agribusiness to airlines, ports to print media. All from a company now capitalised at 65 million and sporting a share price of just 29p.
David Lenigas, the man deputed by an intriguing list of disparate investor
groups to revive Rowlands legacy, shares certain similarities with the deceased tycoon. Lenigas is also an outsider, Australia-born to Lithuanian parents and, like India-born, Anglo-German Rowland, clearly a deft hand at orchestrating bloodless boardroom coups.

Saved at the Death:

Barely five days before Christmas 2005, Lenigas wrested control of Lonrho from
Christopher Mills, the Mayfair financier who once had grand designs to break up
the company and then distribute hefty cash dividends to shareholders, of which
his corporate interests, namely North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust, were the biggest.
In the event, Mills handed over relatively little and infuriated some of Lonrhos
22,000 long-standing smaller shareholders by dismembering the company to the point of near-extinction.
Still, Rowlands loyal band, a dying breed, have done well from his vision.

Dieter Bock, the German financier who ultimately did for Rowland, left the legacy
when he split the leviathan in two mining and trading in 1998, a move that has produced undreamed of riches. The platinum mining spin-off ,Lonmin, has been a stellar success, elevated to the FTSE 100 index. The trading interests were cast to the African winds with a 99 million debt mountain, ultimately eliminated by Mills.
Renamed Lonrho Africa a reversion to just Lonrho is possible the companys
initial post-split price was just north of 1. Lenigas and his supporters struck when the shares were 13p, less than half todays level. Yet at one stage, some shareholders were buoyed by talk from Mills that the break-up value could be more than 50p a share. Lenigas is unrepentant acerbic, even blistering, about some of the prices that Mills, when Lonrhos chairman, accepted for assets. It does my head in when I think about some of them, he says. Such as 1.2 million
for the sub-Sahara Toyota franchise; 17 million for all five Kenyan hotels,
including the landmark Norfolk, sold to Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed; 3.3 million in 1999 for National Airways, a freight carrier off ered back to Lonrho last year for 15 million plus debt.

Keeping the Flag Flying:

One of Lenigass first steps as chief executive and joint executive chairman
was to cancel the sale of the last trading asset, the Cardoso hotel in Maputo,
Mozambique, to Portuguese interests. The Cardoso has an insurance value of
$18 million, Lenigas claims, and the suggested sale price was just $3 million.
For $3 million, Id have bought it myself and converted it into a 129-room hacienda.
It makes my blood boil. Tourism in Mozambique is up 37 per cent [on 2005]
and the hotel is having its best year ever.
Lenigass inheritance was 17 million cash, plus the hotel. He says that before he
and his backers swooped to take control of the company, Mills was considering a
deal whereby Lonrho, eff ectively a cash shell, should return to mining by reversing into a company with Zimbabwean gold assets. I went to Mills and said, look, some shareholders dont like this backdoor [shell] scheme. The two agreed that Mills, who is not accused of any impropriety, would step aside at the annual general meeting four months hence. At the event, one elderly, disgruntled
shareholder greeted the new guard by issuing the command to Lenigas: Stand
up so I can take a look at you. Who are you? When do I get a dividend?
Lenigas, 43, powerfully built, is one of Australias fastest-growing exports redblooded, fast-talking, highly ambitious mining men. Hard-case blokes with a talent for either making fortunes or losing them. A breed that never get past the
switchboard of some City institutions, yet receive the welcome mat at others. Men ready to turn their hand to anything that turns into money.
In Lenigass Mayfair office, behind Londons Ritz hotel, visitors might be shown
things that tickle his fancy and investment interest on this occasion, Estonian
beer in a distinctive bottle, or a large, lowcost, Australian-designed, China-made
music system. Lenigas, who says he has been involved with about 20 public companies, pledges 95 per cent of his time will be with Lonrho: Lonrhos my game.

Rich Seam of Experience

What Lenigas brings to the table is a wealth of impressive, hands-on mining
experience, and a history of recent involvement in a mixed bag of mining
enterprises. Asia Energy, the Bangladesh coal miner whose grand plans are now
subject to political intrigue, is probably the best known. In Australia, Lenigas was
feted when, aged 27, he became managing director of Emperor Gold Mining, the
Fijian miner once ranked among Australias top 50 listed companies. In Africa, he
was responsible for the restructuring of Diamond Works, later Energem, a commodities trading business.
Blakeney Asset Management, a $2 billion, specialist African investor, holds 14
per cent of Lonrho and recruited Lenigas as chief executive-elect, its initiative supported by other key shareholders. They include interests of Canadian Peter Cundill, described by Lenigas as a very high net worth individual, with 9 per cent and, latterly, Capital International of the US, which participated in last Septembers 19 million institutional placement. Capitals involvement, at 4.8 per cent, is eye-catching since, with $1.3 trillion under management, it is the worlds biggest fund. Lenigas says of his key shareholders: They have deep pockets and are going to pretty well invest all the way up. The top 26 shareholders own 74 per cent of the company. He accepts some smaller shareholders will resent being diluted, and predicts a rights issue for all investors towards the end of 2007. Until then, the best quality money is large-scale, institutional funding. Lenigass co-chairman, Gerald Holden, 42, is ex-Barclays Capital, where he headed the mining and metals division. He brings experience of project finance. You have to have this in-house expertise, says Lenigas, who holds 3.5 million share options, exercisable at 17p. Holden has five million, exercisable at 33p.
Right now, Lenigas is beset with almost unqualified optimism and
he has much to dream about. The deal machine is cranked and, to date,
the flow includes 49 per cent in Five Forty Aviation, a no-frills airline with its hub in
Nairobi; 43 per cent of Norse Air, a Johannesburg charter and air-freight operation; 9.94 per cent in Brinkley Mining, which has a deal with Congos Atomic Energy Commission to develop the republics uranium resources; 17 per cent in Nare Diamonds, which has found some unusually large gems on its lands, a fact Lenigas attributes to its former off-limits status as a military zone.
The cost of this shopping list, less than 12 million, seems minor when
measured against Lenigass major ambitions. He predicts, for instance, that the
Kenya airline, launched on 24 November, will expand into a five-country network,
carrying 168,000 passengers a year. The deal pipeline includes southern African
agri-businesses, plus new hotel investments. Nothing, it seems, is ruled out.
We are going to impact two-thirds of the countries in Africa, he says.
Old Lonrho employees want to come back. I am getting three calls a day from
ex-senior managers asking: Can I come and see you? I can help you with your
vision. Lonrhos greatest franchise is its history. Everyone knows the name, and I met presidents who still think its employs 200,000 people across Africa. Being head of Lonrho opens the doors to so many deals. The name is worth a fortune.
A fortune beckons, he believes, from Lonrhos current investment flagship
a 63 per cent stake in Luba Freeport, on the coastal island of Bioko, Equatorial
Guinea, the oil-rich republic best known for the failed coup attempt that involved
Mark Thatcher. Lonrho paid a bare $2 million for 63 per cent of the equity the
balance is held by the government and picked up $11.3 million of secured debt
previously held by Amerada Hess, which had loaned money to two guys with the
initial vision of a port. This is a fantastic port, the only deep-water port in the guts of Africa, he says. As Equatorial Guinea assumes increasing importance as a source for US refineries, its strategic significance is underlined by US Navy proposals for a base on nearby San Tome island.

Big Oil Comes Calling

The client list is impressive Mobil, Marathon, Chevron Texaco, Petronas and
others and Jurong, a Singapore-based world leader in port development which is behind the immediate two-year $50 million expansion programme. Phase two
will cost the same. So-called phase three, five years hence, will see Luba progress from an oil facility to what Lenigas predicts will be the premier west African hub, a regional trans-supply port like Dubai. He estimates that before then it will be generating revenues of $30 million-plus. Amid the heightened risks of doing business in Africa, Lenigas is adamant about one sensitivity: I havent paid a cent of corruption money and I am not going to. I havent even been asked. We are dealing with people at high levels of government in every country, and you see a willingness at that level to move their countries forward. Many of them were educated overseas. Very articulate, smart people smarter than me. ?


.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200705150688.html


East Africa: Fly540 Introduces Two Aircraft in Route Expansion Drive

The East African (Nairobi)

Posted to the web 15 May 2007

Fred Oluoch
Nairobi

Lonrho, the proprietors of the low-cost Fly540, has introduced two Dash 8-100 turbo prop aircrafts that will increase the airline's capacity. This will allow it to venture into new domestic routes to Lokichogio, Wajir and Mandera.

Coming at a time when the aviation industry is preoccupied with the issue of safety, Lonrho management emphasises that the Canadian manufactured Dash 8-100 turbo prop aircraft, which carries 37 passengers, has an excellent safety record and is extremely popular with low-cost airlines around the world due to low operating costs resulting in a significantly lower break-even point.

Turbo prop aircraft are more fuel efficient than jets, allowing Fly540 to offer low budget fares, filling a large gap in the Kenyan market for affordable air travel.

Fly540 introduced its first service to Mombasa last November and was well received by both business and leisure travellers. The airline has since added three more routes including Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu and is the largest domestic low budget air carrier in East Africa.

The airline intends to expand to international destinations by the end of this year to include a minimum of four other regional destinations in East Africa and another four in 2008.

Last month, Fly540 carried over 10,000 passengers demonstrating the demand for low budget air travel in East Africa.

The rapidly increasing demand for such services makes this a high growth area of business aligning it with Lonrho's renewed strategic focus. The Nairobi based pan-African company holds a 49 per cent interest in the airline.

According to Lonrho's executive chairman and chief executive David Lenigas, the addition of the two aircrafts will add value to the existing fleet and a significant step towards expanding to regional destinations outside Kenya in the near future.

"The direction Fly540 has taken significantly strengthens Lonrho's position and strategy aimed at enhancing infrastructure and related services in Africa through investments in these very high growth sectors.

It is our intention to provide low-cost value-for-money air travel in Kenya and the region, and Fly540 has been instrumental in allowing this to happen," he said.

Apart from the airline business, Lonrho is in the process of re-establishing a significant presence on the African continent.

Its investment and acquisition strategy, which was adopted following the appointment of Lenigas as chairman and chief executive and subsequent shareholder approval in February last year, focuses on the infrastructure, transport, natural resources, leisure and agribusiness sectors.

http://nebuchadnezzarwoollyd.blogspot.com/2007/05/landmines-and-lonrho.html


Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Landmines and Lonrho

A South African and a British company have come together to develop a project for land mine clearance. The companies are Lonrho and ................

Good spot PP. The chatter on this latest deal seems to spread. sp 33.5p

Lonrho PLC
21 May 2007



LONRHO PLC
('Lonrho' or the 'Company')

Lonrho Completes 16.46 million Placing

Placing of Ordinary Shares


The Board of Lonrho is pleased to announce that the Company has raised 16.46
million gross (15.82 million net of expenses) by way of a placing of 51,449,381
new ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the share capital of the Company
('Placing Shares') at 32 pence per Placing Share with certain institutions and
other investors ('Placing').



The Placing Shares will represent approximately 19 per cent of the Company's
enlarged issued share capital and application will be made for the admission of
the Placing Shares to trading on AIM. It is expected that dealings in the
Placing Shares will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 24th May 2007. The total number of
shares in issue following completion of the Placing will be 275,678,471.



The Placing will enable the Company to continue to provide the necessary funds
for its growing investments in Africa and will also fund further investment
opportunities that are in line with its strategy.

21 May 2007

Guscavalier comment. I think we knew that a fund raising was on the cards although I thought it might be larger and offer shares by rights issue. The 32p price is a fair one for existing shareholders as there is little discount. I dont think the shares will weaken much from here but should they drift to under 30p I will probably have some more.

Yep, money raised, as expected......and onwards they go now to expand Lonrho with some more profitable acquisitions :)

Lonrho PLC
23 May 2007

LONRHO PLC
'Lonrho' or the 'Company'

Holding in Company

In conformity with the Transparency Directive, Lonrho was informed on 22 May
2007 by Ospraie Management, LLC that, as at 18 May 2007, The Ospraie Portfolio
Ltd was interested in 19,573,511 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the share
capital of the Company ('Ordinary Shares') and Ospraie Advisors, L.P. and
Ospraie Special Opportunities Master Holdings Ltd were interested in 8,253,632
Ordinary Shares. Accordingly their combined interest is 27,827,143 Ordinary
Shares, representing an increase in shareholding to approximately 10.09% of the
Company's issued share capital.

23 May 2007

Guscavalier comment: Looks like they repurchased shares previously sold + more.

Lonrho PLC 01 June 2007
LONRHO PLC
'Lonrho' or 'the Company'

LONRHO STRENGTHENS MANAGEMENT TEAM

Lonrho Plc ('Lonrho'), the African conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of investments ranging from infrastructure, transportation, support services and natural resources, announces today two new appointments to the management team.

Jean Ellis joins the Lonrho Board as Finance Director with immediate effect.
With 17 years experience as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser; Ms Ellis is, and will remain a partner in Chartered Accountants Duncan Sheard Glass ('DSG'). Ms Ellis, 37, was previously the Group Financial Controller and Tax Manager with Lonrho Africa Plc and also held a number of Directorships for its subsidiary companies. Since joining DSG in 2002, Jean continued to act as a consultant to Lonrho, remaining closely involved with the Company's finance and taxation.

Mr Geoffrey White also joins Lonrho as the Chief Operating Officer. Mr White, 46, most recently worked for the private office of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, in London. During his 25 year career, he has held senior management roles with Thomas Tilling Plc, BTR Plc and Dee Corporation PLc. He has been responsible for planning, financing, developing and managing a range of projects in the leisure, industrial and natural resource sectors. These projects include establishing joint ventures with corporations including Hilton International, Ford Motors (PAG), Praton International GmbH, FFS Refiners Pty Ltd, Sengamines Sarl, Oryx Natural Resources, African Mining Investments Ltd and Pegasus Energy Ltd.

Lonrho CEO David Lenigas commented:

'I am very pleased that as we rebuild the Company's brand and presence across Africa, the appointments of Jean and Geoffrey as Finance Director and COO respectively further strengthens our Board and management team as the rapid re-growth of Lonrho progresses.

The appointment of Mr White looks particularly interesting. I expect he has the right connections given his history. BTR was the darling of its day, which took over many companies and had an excellent growth record. Institutions made millions from that one. Infact, I believe it took over Thomas Tilling.

Agreed on Mr White.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/06/03/cnzimbabwe03.xml

Lonrho breaks taboo with Zimbabwe venture

By Sylvia Pfeifer, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:22am BST 03/06/2007

Investors will be given the first opportunity to invest in Zimbabwe through an innovative vehicle ....................................

Yes, this is more like it. Making an early move on Zimbabwe through the new vehicle although, perhaps contrarian, could prove extremely profitable if all goes well. I think this also reiterates the point that Magabe"s regime may be braking up behind the scenes. Mr White may be quite useful in any negotiations given his background ?Although Lonhro will be taking a major stake in Lonzim, existing holders of Lonhro may get a chance to subscribe (i.e retail investors mentioned in the article).Never a dull moment with this one a present.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/investment/article1874661.ece

From The Sunday Times
June 3, 2007

Go off the beaten track

"..........and if you want exposure to Africa, you can buy shares in Lonrho, a pan-African investment company........."

The Times comment was brief. Good spot PP. We should get more UK press coverage from now on. Be interesting to see what the sp does today.