CO-OPERATIVE REGISTRATION


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.

For enquiry send an email to: coopregenq@cipc.co.za (only after the indicated service standard has lapsed).

 

Checklist for registration of a co-operative: