VISION
To be the leading Government organ in facilitating the generation of economic growth in the country through cooperative action.
MISSION
To promote the economic development of the people of Swaziland through capital
formation by encouraging sustainable management of cooperative enterprises.
MANDATE
The Department is mandated by Government to support and facilitate the development of Cooperative Societies through promotion, business training and supervision. We are also mandated to assist cooperatives to overcome many of the business constraints they face, through creation of an enabling and conducive environment for their growth. The primary objective is to help cooperative members improve the quality of their lives.
LEGAL INSTRUMENT
- Cooperative Societies Act 2003
FUNCTION
The Department of Cooperatives is mandated to carry out the following functions:-
- To register and de-register Cooperative Societies;
- To audit or cause to be audited Cooperative societies’ books of accounts;
- To supervise Cooperatives in order to ensure compliance to Cooperative Act, business and cooperative principles and practices;
- Publicity and dissemination of cooperative information to cooperative members and the general public through radio programmes, newsletters and educational meetings;
- Cooperative promotion, education and training
- To resolve disputes amongst co-operators.
DEFINATION OF A COOPERATIVE
A Cooperative is an autonomous Association of persons united voluntary to meet their economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations, through a democratically controlled enterprise. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help self-responsibility, democracy, equality and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness social responsibility and caring for others.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FORMATION OF A COOPERATIVE
- A group of people seven or more and above 18 years old.
- Have a common bond either community based employer based
- Must elect a committee a called formation committee to steer them through the process of becoming a cooperative.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- 3 copies of By –laws
- Application for registration form fully completed
- Business plan and cash flow
- Financial statement
- Economic survey form
- Application letter
- Revenue general receipt which is received after paying a registration fee of E110.00
- The chairperson of the formation committee must submit an application for registration to the Commissioner. This application should be made on an official form which is available from the Commissioner’s office in the region.
- After submission of the application for registration this group can be legally registered within three months if everything is in order according to the legal requirements of the Coop Act 2003
The application form must be signed by at least seven individuals who qualify to be members
WHEN IS A COOPERATIVE DE-REGISTERED
- Non-compliant with the cooperative Act
COOPERATIVES DEVELOPMENT COLLEGE
VISION
To be the leading training institution in cooperative education and training
MISSION
To be an outstanding educating, training and research cooperative college, educating for life and addressing the challenges facing our society; by equipping people with life long cooperative skills.
WHAT THE COLLEGE OFFERS
- Residential Training Courses in Cooperative Business Management for elected leaders and staff of the Cooperatives
- Acts as a Business Advisory and Consultancy for Swaziland Cooperative business
- A one year certificate in Business Management Course
- Education and Training Programmes to Cooperative Societies in the country
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Certificate in Cooperative Business Management (full-time programme)
- Minimum six passes in GCE, O-LEVEL/IGCSE which must include English Language
- First preference will be given to students with subjects in Accounting and Business Studies
N.B. This rule is an exception to in-service students
COURSE DURATION
Ten months
FEES
E6 000: includes tuition, accommodation and meals. Trips and stationery excluded
N.B. this fee structure is subject to revision from time to time
ENTRY DATE
The resumption of the programme is normally in line with the other tertiary institutions in the country i.e. August to May the following year
APPLICATION DATES
Between April and June of each year
COURSE CONTENT
All subjects are compulsory:
- Cooperative History and Practice
- Cooperative Law
- Marketing
- Retail Management
- Commercial Accounts
- Business Organization and Management
- Business Studies
- Communication
- Adult Psychology
- HIV/AIDS
- Gender, Youth and Development
- Savings and Credit Management
- Introduction to Computer Applications
- Introduction to Auditing
CONTACTS
The Commissioners offices
Ministry of Commerce Industry and trade
P.O. Box 451
Mbabane
Tel +268 24043201/6
Fax: +268 24046101
CODEC
P. O. Box 1393
Mbabane
Phone: +268 2416 1087
Fax: +268 2416 1298
Email:
REGIONAL OFFICES:
HHOHHO
P.O.Box 82
Piggs Peak
Tel.+268 24 371 1 77
Physical address: Regional Agriculture offices.
MANZINI
P.O.Box 30
Manzini
Tel. +268 2 505 6152
Physical address: Regional Interministerial office block.
SHISELWENI
P.O.Box 22
Nhlangano
Tel.+268 22 078 348
Physical address: Tobacco Coop Complex
LUBOMBO
P.O.Box 113
Steki.
Tel.+268 23 434 705
Physical address: Inter-ministerial office block.