Registering a Co-operative

A co-operative is a distinct form of enterprise that provides services and/or products to its members. Profits, known as surpluses in a co-operative, are 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 you decide to register a co-operative you need to have a formation meeting to decide on 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.  Co-operatives have certain principles and are expected to include certain values in all their work that they undertake.  

It costs the follwing to register a Co-operative:

•  R50.00 name reservation (CoR 9.1 under eServices) compulsory and
•  R125.00 registration fee.

Source: CIPC Website