Co-operatives Act (No. 15 of 2005).

This Act makes provision for the registration and acquisition of legal status of cooperative enterprises, establishes a legislative framework that preserves a cooperative as a distinct legal entity, facilitates the provision of support programmes that target emerging cooperatives especially if formed by disadvantaged citizens, provides for the design and implementation of the cooperative development support programmes and implement internationally recognized cooperative principles in South Africa.
The Act consists of 99 sections, divided into 13 Chapters, and is completed by two Schedules.
For the purposes of this Act, a cooperative complies with cooperative principles if it meets the requirements set out in section 3. Section 4 specifies forms and kinds of cooperatives, among them the agricultural cooperative. Chapter 2 provides for registration, constitution, membership and powers of cooperative and record keeping. Chapters 3 to 10 provide for the internal organization and management of cooperatives. Chapter 11 concerns the Registrar of Cooperatives and Chapter 12 provides for the establishment and functions of the Cooperatives Advisory Board. Chapter 13 contains provisions of miscellaneous character and prescribes offences.