Notes to the Company annual financial statements l Note 10

     2017 
Number 
of shares 		       2016 
Number 
of shares 		   2017
R’000		       2016
R’000		   
10. Share capital                     
  Authorised                     
  Total authorised share capital of ordinary                    
  shares (par value of R0.000001 each) 1 000 000 000      1 000 000 000    1     1  
  Issued                    
  Balance at the beginning of the year 666 243 234      665 463 346    *     *  
  Shares acquired during the year (348 651)     (2 383 471)   *     *  
  Shares vested during the year – Blue Label                    
  Telecoms Limited 910 966      1 288 836    *     *  
  Shares vested during the year – Blue Label                    
  Telecoms Limited subsidiaries 1 230 706      1 874 523    *     *  
  Balance at the end of the year 668 036 255      666 243 234    *     *  
  * Less than R1 000.
 

All issued shares are fully paid up.

The total number of shares in issue, including shares held as treasury shares as at 31 May 2017, is 674 509 042 (2016: 674 509 042).

The Company acquired 348 651 (2016: 2 383 471) shares at an average price of R21.17 (2016: R9.67) on the JSE in order to grant forfeitable shares to employees and directors as part of the Group’s forfeitable share plan.

The amount paid to acquire these shares was R7 380 663 (2016: R23 052 001) and has been deducted from shareholders’ equity.

These shares are held as treasury shares. Refer to note 11 for details on the forfeitable shares.

Notes to the Company annual financial statements l Note 10