The most recent addition to the Coca-Cola South Africa bottler network, Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages SA is the first majority black-owned and managed bottler in South Africa. It was created in July 2007 when The Coca-Cola Company sold 70% of Scarlet Ibis Investments 3 (Pty) Ltd, one of the four Coca-Cola bottlers in South Africa, to the Shanduka Group, which was founded in 2000 by leading businessman Cyril Ramaphosa.

Fomerly known as TJC Holdings, Scarlet Ibis Investments 3 (Pty) Ltd was owned by the Cook family since 1947. Coca-Cola bought the company in January 2006, with the specific purpose of furthering its strategy and commitment to black economic empowerment in South Africa. In addition, the decision by Coca-Cola South Africa to retain a 30% share in the business is aligned with the Company’s franchise approach, which aims to ensure a smooth hand-over to new entrants, together with the transfer of knowledge and skills that have been accumulated over many years.

In the past, TJC Holdings accounted for 6% of total Coca-Cola volume in South Africa and had an annual turnover of R850 million. It started producing Coca-Cola products in March 1949, and by 1971 it had sold its first million cases. As the new owner, Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages SA maintains the two plants that formed part of the TJC operations, Highveld Bottling and Nigel Bottling, and continues to supply Coca-Cola products to the Witbank, Groblersdal, Steelpoort, Nigel, Standerton and Ermelo areas.

Executive Chairman of the Shanduka Group, Cyril Ramaphosa, is a long-time friend of The Coca-Cola Company, and has served on its International Advisory Board for many years. In the prospectus of the Shanduka Group, the formation of Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages SA is described as a milestone in the Group’s strategic outlook. The aim is to grow and develop a geographically diverse, black-owned, well-operated and managed beverage company in Africa.

www.shanduka.co.za