THE CO‐OPERATIVE POLICY OF 2004. Co‐operative policy outlines government’s broad guideline to develop and support co‐operatives. It outlines the government’s approach to defining the co‐operative enterprises as well as the policy instruments that will be utilized to achieve the objectives. The purpose and objective of the co‐operative policy included the following: Create an enabling environment for co‐operative enterprises which reduces the disparities between urban and rural businesses, and is conducive to entrepreneurship Promote the development of economically sustainable co‐operatives that will significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth Increase the number and variety of economic enterprises operating in the formal economy; Increase the competitiveness of the co‐operative sector Encourage persons and groups who subscribe to values of self‐reliance and self‐help to formalise Enable such co‐operative enterprises to register and acquire a legal status/legal persona separate from their members; Defines genuine co‐operatives for targeted support purposes Promote greater participation by black persons, especially those in rural areas, women, persons with disability and youth in the formation of and management of co‐operatives. Establish a legislative framework that will preserve the co‐operative as a distinct legal entity. Facilitate the provision of support programmes that target co‐operatives that will create employment or benefit disadvantaged groups. establishes a code of conduct for co‐operative promoters for basic principles to be respected
