Grassroots innovation journey spotlights new pathways
Creating impact in the innovation ecosystem and reaching disadvantaged communities has been central to the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), helping turn innovative ideas into commercial assets. The IAP is the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) flagship project, launched in partnership with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
Read more: Grassroots innovation journey spotlights new pathways
Young Ideas — South Africa’s Future Gold Standard, CIPC IP Youth Awards 2026
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is proud to announce that they will be hosting the CIPC Intellectual Property (IP) Youth Awards 2026. The Competition is a dynamic platform designed to celebrate bold thinking, fresh innovation, and the next generation of business leaders.
Read more: Young Ideas — South Africa’s Future Gold Standard, CIPC IP Youth Awards 2026
dtic, CIPC AND SPU to host the 6th annual intellectual property and technology commercialisation colloquium
Key stakeholders from government, academia and business will convene in Kimberley, Northern Cape, for a colloquium aimed at strengthening South Africa’s innovation and technology commercialisation ecosystem and unlocking new economic opportunities.
CIPC launches a Case Management System
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Case Management System (CMS), a modern digital platform designed to improve how the public submits and tracks complaints and legal documents.
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A company can be converted to a co-operative (Section 66 of the Co-operative Act (Act 14 of 2005).
A constitution must be submitted as part of the application. Select a relevant model constitution from our website and download the constitution and complete all the blank spaces. The last page of the constitution must be signed by all the founder members of the co-operative. Please note that you need to keep your original constitution. Scan and e-mail the completed and signed documents together with supporting information to
The following supporting documents must be included in your e-mail:
- CO-OP 1
- CO-OP 6.4
- Model Constitutions
- Schedule of contact information (email address and cell number) for all members
A sworn statement by a person who acted as the chairperson of the general meeting:
- that the meeting has passed a resolution authorising the conversion of the company into a co-operative of the required kind and form;
- that the meeting was specially convened to consider the resolution; and
- that the chairperson has satisfied himself or herself that proper notice of the meeting was given to the members of the company;
- A copy of the resolution and reasons for the conversion
- Proof of the company registration
- Certified copies of the company’s memorandum and articles of association/Memorandum of Incorporation
- One copy of the proposed new co-operative constitution
- Certified copy of the company’s latest audited financial statements
- A schedule containing the full names and addresses of the company, the number and class of shares held by each one of them in the company and the occupations of the members
- A schedule containing the full names and addresses of the directors of the company
- A schedule stating the extent of the company’s interest in other companies.
- Written notice of at least three months of the proposal has been given to each known creditor who has a claim exceeding one thousand rands
NB: Lodgement of a passport copy is only accepted as proof of identity for non-residents of South Africa. For South African residents a green bar-coded/ smart ID copy must be lodged.
E-mail:
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Within 15 days after the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Category B primary co-operative must submit a completed notice of appointment of an independent reviewer form (Form CO-OP4), Category C primary co-operative must submit a completed notice of appointment of an auditor form.
Secondary co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
Tertiary co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
National Apex co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
To appoint or effect changes to the auditors
Within 15 days after the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Category B primary co-operative must submit a completed notice of appointment of an independent reviewer form (Form CO-OP4), Category C primary co-operative must submit a completed notice of appointment of an auditor form.
Secondary co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
Tertiary co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
National Apex co-operative must submit completed notice of appointment of an auditor form (Form CO-OP4)
Scan and e-mail the completed and signed documents together with supporting information to
To appoint or effect changes to the auditors, follow these steps:
- Register a customer code
- If you are already registered as a customer and know your customer code and password, proceed to the next step.
- Complete form CO-OP4.
- Letter of consent of appointment as an auditor or independent reviewer
E-mail:
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Changes to the constitution may include changes to the objectives and business description, membership, loans to members, financial year-end, and surplus and bonus payments. You may wish to change the length of time that a member may be a Director. The Co-operative Act states that Directors may hold a reasonable term of Office that must be indicated in the Constitution of the co-operative.
To make Other changes to the co-operative click
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A co-operative must within 30 days after an Annual General Meeting submit to the CIPC the full names, surnames and addresses of all Directors of the Co-operative, as well as, any Directors that have vacated their positions. This must be done annually, irrespective of changes to the Board or not.
The number of Directors must at all times be within the minimum and maximum number of Directors as specified in the Constitution of the Co-operative. If you would like to change the minimum or maximum number of directors, the constitution must be amended. Follow the steps under Changes to Directors to complete the process.
Should 50% or more of directors be expelled or a whole board of Directors be replaced with new Directors, CIPC will do a verification process which will take a minimum of 14 working days, before the changes will be made on the CIPC database.
Directors are appointed for a term of office in terms of the Constitution of the Co-operative. Should there be changes to the Board of Directors outside the term of office / during a financial year, the CIPC must be informed.
To lodge a return relating to directors the following supporting documents must be included:
- Complete the CO-OP 2 form
- Certified copy of ID document of old and new directors
- Minutes of the meeting where the decision was taken to remove or add directors. The Minutes must be signed by all members present and be certified a true copy
- Reasons for any Director’s vacation of Office out of term (if applicable), i.e.: A signed letter of resignation of a Director should be attached. Also indicate whether the Director also resigned as Founder Member, where applicable.
- Minutes of a meeting of the Board, if a Director was expelled as director as he/she has become incompetent to be a director or was absent from a number of consecutive Board meetings without leave, as specified in the constitution of the Co-operative. The Minutes must be signed by all of the directors and be certified a true copy
- Certificate of Death (if applicable)
NB: Lodgement of a passport copy is only accepted as proof of identity for non-residents of South Africa. For South African residents a green bar-coded/ smart ID copy must be lodged.
E-mail:
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