Phuthuma Nathi, MultiChoice’s broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) share scheme, is urging 18,000 shareholders to come forward and claim their uncollected dividends.
With over R240 million in unclaimed dividends, Phuthuma Nathi is calling on eligible shareholders to secure their earnings and maximize the benefits of this empowerment initiative.
Since 2020, Phuthuma Nathi has been running a nationwide media campaign to locate shareholders who are owed dividends from as far back as 2006. Despite significant progress, a large portion of these funds remains unclaimed.
“We are determined to find these shareholders and ensure they receive what is rightfully theirs. We’ve been tirelessly working to track down shareholders who have unclaimed dividends between 2006 and 2024. Thanks to our efforts, over R118 million has already been paid out, but we still have a long way to go,” says Phuthuma Nathi chair, Mandla Langa.
The most common reasons for unclaimed dividends include shareholders forgetting to update their personal or banking details, making it impossible to process payments. In some cases, shareholders have passed away and the dividends are owed to their estates.
How to Claim
If you are a Phuthuma Nathi shareholder who has not received dividends between 2006 and 2024, or you are a family member of a deceased shareholder, please contact the Phuthuma Nathi call centre for assistance. The Phuthuma Nathi Call Centre is available to assist Monday through Friday, from 07:00 to 18:00, excluding public holidays. Call centre representatives can be reached during these hours at 086 011 6226, or inquiries may be sent via email to [email protected].
As part of the FICA verification process, shareholders will need to provide identification documents, proof of bank account details, and other supporting documents. Once the claims process is completed, unclaimed dividends are paid within 3 to 5 working days.
“The FICA verification process ensures that dividends are paid to the correct individuals. We work closely with our transfer secretary, Singular Systems, to verify each claim, and payments are only made after full confirmation of the shareholder identity and bank account details,” added Langa.
YeboYethU, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of Vodacom, says it is trying to find thousands of elusive shareholders who are yet to claim millions of rand in dividend payouts.
Last August, YeboYethu announced it was looking for thousands of shareholders owed close to R74 million.
“As things stand, 11 515 shareholders have not claimed dividends with a total value of R66 178 220.60,” a Vodacom official told TechFinancials
The revelation that just over R66 million was yet to be claimed suggests that YeboYethu has only paid out R8 million to investors.
