The second co-operative principle deals with democratic member control and specifically refers to voting rights. In terms of South African co-operative legislation, members of primary category A and B co-operatives, have equal voting rights, i.e. one member one vote, and category C primary co-operatives, secondary and tertiary co-operatives and the national apex co-operative are also organised in a democratic manner.

Where the constitutions of primary category C, secondary, tertiary and the national apex co-operatives provide for differentiated votes it must be subject to the following legislative requirements:

In addition to the above, voting rights in respect of category C primary co-operatives, secondary and tertiary co-operatives registered in terms of applicable legislation prior to the Co-operatives Amendment Act No. 6 of 2013 are regulated by the provision on voting rights contained in their constitutions as it was immediately prior to the commencement of Co-operatives Amendment Act No. 6 of 2013.

Associate members do not have any voting rights.

7.1        Proxies

The constitution of a co-operative may allow for members to appoint proxies to attend and vote at general or special meetings on that member’s behalf or for postal votes but proxies should be seen as exceptional and should not be recurring. Irrespective of the provisions for proxies in the constitution of a co-operative, proxies are subject to the following minimum legislative requirements: