24 Mar 2020
Naspers statement on Covid-19
The health and well-being of the communities we serve around the world are our priority during this unprecedented and difficult time. We have been responding quickly to the evolving Covid-19 situation to ensure we safeguard our people, maintain our ability to serve our customers, and protect our businesses for the long term.
First and foremost, our plan ensures the health and safety of our employees. From the beginning of the year, we have monitored Covid-19 developments in all of our markets and prioritised efforts to limit the potential spread of the virus. We were early to implement work-from-home policies and travel restrictions, including the cancellation of conferences and group meetings. As the situation escalated, we confirmed a global work-from-home policy for all our office-based teams who are able to carry out their work remotely. For our teams that directly serve our customers, we were early to implement a variety of measures designed to safeguard both them and our customers as we deliver the products and services they need.
We remain committed to safeguarding our people, our customers and our businesses in this uncertain time. This is something we have done successfully for more than 100 years and will continue to do. We are in constant communication with our companies and teams across the world. All of our businesses have continuity plans in place and we continue to actively assess potential impacts and take appropriate, market-specific action as needed. The challenges vary by sector and market and this is a rapidly developing situation with no room for complacency, but we believe we have the teams, the resources and the experience to navigate this difficult time for our people and the customers and communities we serve.
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.