Registering a co-operative
A very simple definition of a co-operative would be to say it is a business where a group of people get together voluntary to address their common needs.
A co-operative is a distinct form of enterprise that provides services and/or products to its members. Profit, known as surpluses in a co-operative, is divided among members in relation to the amount of the business each member did with the co-operative.
By registering a co-operative, you are creating a legal entity with powers and responsibilities as prescribed in the amended Co-operatives Act 6 of 2013. Before registering a co-operative, take note of the importance of record-keeping that need to be done by a co-operative.
Before you decide to register a co-operative, you need to have a formation meeting to decide on a common purpose and agree to register a co-operative. At the formation meeting, the members have to decide on the form and type of co-operative. There must be at least five natural persons or two juristic persons or a combination of any five persons in order to form a primary co-operative.
Types of co-operatives
Co-operatives may take the form of primary, secondary or tertiary co-operatives. The types of co-operatives include agricultural, marketing, housing, financial services, consumer, service, crafts and burial societies etcetera.
- Primary Co-operative
A primary Co-operative is formed by a minimum of five natural persons; or two juristic persons or a combination of any five persons.
Note: Primary co-operative, Secondary and Tertiary co-operative can only be registered online. Primary co-operative registration accept card payment method only
- Secondary Co-operative
Secondary co-operatives are formed when two or more operational primary co-operatives come together because they are involved in similar activities and want to promote their services in the sector in which they operate.
- Tertiary Co-operative
Tertiary co-operatives are formed by two or more operational secondary co-operatives which come together to promote the interests of their members to government bodies, the private sector and other stakeholders.
- National apex Co-operative
A National Apex is formed by three operational sectoral tertiary co-operatives that operate on a national level; and five operational multi-sectoral tertiary co-operatives that operate on a provincial, district or local level.
N.B Operational means a co-operative that has held its annual general meeting and has submitted its annual report, audited report or independent reviewed report to the registrar in its financial year.
Note: You can apply for Secondary and Tertiary co-operative online, to apply for co-operative click here
Click here for the CIPC service standards. Service Standard is dependent on payment for the transaction being made.
Click here to log an enquiry (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).
Click here to collect information from the client: – https://enlight.co.za/cooperative-registrations/
Click here to view information collected :- https://enlight.co.za/cooperative-registration-view/
Checklist for registration of a co-operative:
Follow the following steps or click on the following link
- STEP 1:- REGISTER AS A CUSTOMER (view how to)
- STEP 2:- PAYMENT METHODS (view how to)
- STEP 3:- FORMATION MEETING (view how to)
- STEP 4:- APPOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS (view how to)
- STEP 5:- ADOPT THE CONSTITUTION (view how to)
- STEP 6:- FORMS OF CO-OPERATIVES (View how to)
- STEP 7:- CO-OP REGISTRATION (view how to)
REGISTER NOW
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CIPC FORMS AND FEES for different forms of business
