May 6 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa's benchmark FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index rose the most since March 25, adding 629.16 points, or 2 percent, to 31,929.09 at the close in Johannesburg.

The following are among the most active stocks in the South African market today.

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG SJ), Africa's biggest gold producer, rose 9.1 percent to 287 rand, its biggest gain since Sept. 9, 2002. AngloGold, which has the biggest forward sales, known as a hedge book, of any South African producer said it plans to sell 11.9 billion rand ($1.6 billion) of shares in order to buy itself out of forward sales contracts.

``The hedge book was weighing down on the company,'' said Patrice Rassou, who helps manage the equivalent of about $64 billion at Sanlam Investment Management in Cape Town. ``It is quite a large rights issue but addresses the matter head on and will do well in terms of the rating of the company.''

BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ), the world's largest mining company, climbed for a second day, adding 2.3 percent to 288.10 rand. Copper rose 1 percent in London while lead, nickel, tin and zinc also gained.

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMP SJ), the world's second- biggest producer of the metal, gained for a second day, climbing 13 rand, or 4.1 percent, to 330 rand. Platinum for immediate delivery increased as much as 1.9 percent to $1,960.75 per ounce.

MTN Group Ltd. (MTN SJ), Africa's largest mobile-phone company, rallied 10 rand, or 6.7 percent, to a record 160 after saying it's in talks with Bharti Airtel Ltd. MTN and Bharti, India's biggest mobile-phone company, said in separate statements yesterday that talks are exploratory and may not lead to a deal. Bharti has bid about $19 billion for a 51 percent stake, the Financial Times reported yesterday.

Sappi Ltd. (SAP SJ), the world's largest producer of glossy paper used in magazines including Vogue, rose 4.80 rand, or 4.6 percent, to 109.80 rand, its highest since September. The company said second-quarter profit more than doubled to $155 million after it raised prices, improved margins in North America and as the value of its South African plantations gained.

Sasol Ltd. (SOL SJ) rose 26 rand, or 5.9 percent, to 468 rand, its biggest gain since Dec. 21. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its price estimate for the world's biggest maker of motor fuel from coal to 548 rand from 499 rand.

Taste Holdings Ltd. (TAS SJ), the restaurant operator, advanced 4 cents, or 7.3 percent, to 59 cents, the most since April 22. Taste said annual net profit rose 19 percent to 10 million rand ($1.3 million).

Tiger Brands Ltd., (TBS SJ) South Africa's biggest food producer, rose 1 percent to 147.50 rand, the most since April 18. Tiger said it will spin off its Adcock Ingram health-care unit before the end of September and ``remains committed'' to a separate listing for the unit, South Africa's second-largest drug company.

To contact the reporters on this story: Janice Kew in Johannesburg at jkew1@bloomberg.netGarth Theunissen in Johannesburg gtheunissen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 6, 2008 11:45 EDT