Competition Tribunal: Benus Forever, Resilient Mams Mergers Approved

• On August 28, 2026, the Competition Tribunal unconditionally approved two significant merger transactions.
• Benus Trade and Invest (Pty) Ltd received clearance to take sole control of Forever Resorts SA (Pty) Ltd, a tourism operator.
• Resilient Properties (Pty) Ltd was approved to acquire sole control of Mams Mall, a regional shopping centre in Mamelodi, Gauteng.
• Benus is a 100% black-owned conglomerate with diverse interests across multiple sectors and countries.
• Resilient is part of a group specializing in owning and managing retail centres, with a significant presence in Gauteng.

The Competition Tribunal announced on August 28, 2026, its unconditional approval for two significant merger transactions, clearing the path for substantial shifts in South Africa's tourism and retail sectors.

The Competition Tribunal announced on August 28, 2026, its unconditional approval for two significant merger transactions, clearing the path for substantial shifts in South Africa's tourism and retail sectors. These decisions allow Benus Trade and Invest (Pty) Ltd to acquire sole control of Forever Resorts SA (Pty) Ltd, and Resilient Properties (Pty) Ltd to take sole control of Mams Mall.

Both approvals were granted without conditions, indicating that the Tribunal found no significant competition concerns arising from either proposed acquisition. This outcome underscores the regulatory body's assessment that these transactions are unlikely to substantially lessen competition within their respective markets, thereby permitting the acquiring entities to proceed with their strategic expansions as planned.

The Competition Tribunal's role is crucial in evaluating mergers to prevent anti-competitive practices and ensure fair market dynamics. Its unconditional clearance in these cases signifies a judgment that the structural changes brought about by these acquisitions will not detrimentally impact consumers or competitors in the relevant industries.

The first of the two approvals sees Benus Trade and Invest (Pty) Ltd, known simply as Benus, moving to assume sole control over Forever Resorts SA (Pty) Ltd. Benus operates as a 100% black-owned conglomerate, with its interests spanning a diverse array of sectors including healthcare, information and communication technology (ICT), power and energy, mining, logistics, and infrastructure. The group's operational reach extends beyond South Africa, encompassing Cameroon, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Forever Resorts SA, the target of this acquisition, manages a portfolio of resorts and lodges situated across several South African provinces, specifically Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape, and the Free State. These properties are recognized for providing a range of services, including accommodation, conference facilities, various recreational amenities, and eco-tourism experiences. The Tribunal's decision enables Benus to integrate these extensive tourism assets into its broad operational framework.

In a separate but equally significant decision, the Competition Tribunal also gave its unconditional nod to Resilient Properties (Pty) Ltd's acquisition of Mams Mall. This approval paves the way for the prominent retail centre, located in Mamelodi, Gauteng, to fall under the sole control of Resilient. The transaction specifically involves the acquisition of the immovable property and its associated rental enterprise as a going concern from NAD Property Income Fund (Pty) Ltd.

Mams Mall is characterized as a regional shopping centre, playing a vital role in serving the retail needs of its surrounding community in Mamelodi. Resilient itself is part of a larger group that specializes in the ownership and management of a diverse portfolio of retail centres, with a particular focus on developing both new and existing retail properties. Within Gauteng alone, the group's holdings include a variety of retail centres, ranging from smaller regional establishments to larger regional shopping complexes, further solidifying its presence in the provincial retail landscape.

The unconditional nature of these approvals by the Competition Tribunal is a key aspect of their legal significance. It implies that the Tribunal, after its thorough assessment, concluded that neither the Benus takeover of Forever Resorts nor Resilient’s acquisition of Mams Mall would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in their respective markets. This outcome is crucial for the merging parties, as it removes any potential regulatory hurdles or conditions that could otherwise complicate or delay the integration process.

For the tourism sector, the integration of Forever Resorts SA into the Benus conglomerate could lead to operational synergies and potentially new investment, given Benus's diverse interests and multinational presence. Similarly, Resilient's expansion through the acquisition of Mams Mall reinforces its strategic position in the retail property market, particularly in Gauteng. These decisions highlight the ongoing consolidation and strategic realignments occurring across key economic sectors, all operating under the watchful eye of the Competition Tribunal to ensure market integrity.

Source: Original reporting via Competition Tribunal