Legal & Governance

The Co-operative is designed to help members participate in a collective economic system rather than operate only as individual consumers. Its broader model is based on collective buying, collective capital, collective investment and community ownership.

The prospectus envisages members using their collective purchasing power to support community businesses, improve procurement and ultimately create productive economic opportunities.

Under the Constitution, a natural person over 18 years of age or a juristic person may apply for membership. The application must be submitted to the Board.

The prospectus also envisages participation by appropriately constituted stokvels, businesses, associations, churches and other cooperatives, subject to the applicable membership requirements.

An applicant must complete the prescribed membership application form and indicate the number of shares they wish to take up. The application must be accompanied by the applicable entrance fee.

The Board considers the application and may accept or reject it. The applicant must be notified of the Board's decision within three months.

The Constitution specifies a R100 entrance fee, payable when applying for membership. The Constitution states that this entrance fee is not refundable when membership ends.

It also specifies a R100 annual membership/subscription fee, which may alternatively be paid in equal monthly instalments. This fee contributes towards the running costs of the Co-operative and is also non-refundable on termination.

They should not be treated as automatically being the same thing.

• Entrance fee: R100, paid when applying for membership.
• Membership/subscription fee: R100 per year, or in equal monthly instalments, towards the running costs of the Co-operative.
• Shares: Membership shares are separately dealt with in clause 8 of the Constitution, with a nominal value of R100 per share.

Important: The final member onboarding/payment process should clearly communicate how the entrance fee, annual membership fee and required shareholding are to be handled.

The Constitution confirms the amounts and permitted payment structure for the entrance and annual membership fees, but the uploaded documents do not specify the final banking/payment details or digital payment procedure.

Members should therefore use only the official payment instructions issued by the Co-operative and retain proof of every payment.

The Constitution requires the annual membership/subscription fee of R100, which may be paid in monthly instalments.

The prospectus additionally proposes discretionary monthly savings/investment contributions, meaning members may contribute additional amounts according to their means. These additional contributions are not presented as a mandatory fixed amount.

The prospectus proposes that members commit, where practical and where products are available in their area, to purchase at least R250 per month of qualifying everyday products through the 0360 ecosystem.

This is intended as economic participation through purchasing rather than as a membership fee.

Members have the right to:

• Do business with or through the Co-operative.
• Attend Co-operative meetings, provided they are not suspended or expelled.
• Exercise their voting rights in accordance with the Constitution.

The Constitution provides that each member has one vote at member meetings.

Members must:

• Follow the Constitution and any amendments.
• Follow applicable Board by-laws.
• Participate in the business of the Co-operative.
• Keep their personal information up to date.
• Notify the Co-operative when important details, such as their address, change.
• Participate responsibly in the affairs of the Co-operative.

The prospectus further encourages members to support the Co-operative's objectives, protect its reputation and assets, participate in training, purchase through the ecosystem where practical and report suspected abuse or corruption.

Membership is intended to involve participation, not simply registration.

The Constitution provides that where a member does not actively participate in the activities of the Co-operative for a period of one year, or cannot be contacted because they failed to update their address, their membership may be terminated by Board resolution.

Members should therefore remain engaged by participating in Co-operative activities, keeping their information current, attending meetings where appropriate and supporting the Co-operative's business.

Repeatedly contravening the Constitution, refusing to comply with obligations, or failing to meet obligations under the Act or Constitution can result in suspension or expulsion.

However, a member must receive prior written notice explaining the reasons for the proposed suspension or expulsion and must be given an opportunity to appear before the Board or submit a written statement explaining their objections.

Yes. A member may resign by submitting a written resignation.

The resignation becomes effective at the first Board meeting after the Co-operative receives the written resignation, and the membership is then terminated by Board resolution.

Resignation does not release a member from outstanding debts, obligations or contracts with the Co-operative.

The shares of a resigning member are cancelled. Subject to the Constitution, the value paid up on the cancelled shares may, at the Board's discretion and provided funds are available, be repaid within two years from the date of cancellation.

The amount may also be affected by the value of the shares according to the Co-operative's latest completed financial statements. Any amount owed by the member to the Co-operative may be deducted.

Yes. The Constitution requires the Co-operative to maintain records including its Constitution, meeting minutes, membership register, membership fees, shares, member loans and contributions.

Members may examine specified records during normal business hours and may make copies after payment of an agreed fee, subject to the Constitution and applicable access-to-information provisions.

The most important principle is: Don't just join — participate.

A member should:

1. Keep their membership information accurate and up to date.
2. Pay the required membership fees when due.
3. Participate in the Co-operative's activities.
4. Support the collective purchasing model where practical.
5. Use the Co-operative's economic opportunities responsibly.
6. Attend and participate in meetings.
7. Exercise their one vote responsibly.
8. Protect Co-operative property, funds and reputation.
9. Comply with the Constitution, applicable by-laws and lawful decisions.
10. Report suspected abuse, fraud or corruption through the appropriate channels.
11. Take advantage of member education and training.
12. Help build a stronger member-owned economic network.

The Co-operative works when members act as owners, not merely as customers. The prospectus expresses this principle as the transformation from consumer to owner: members collectively purchase, participate in businesses and help build community-owned economic value.