In terms of company registration section of companies act of 2008, there are various forms of company registrations that a person can apply for:

1. Private company registration (Pty) Ltd

  If you wish to start own business idea or a franchise business, you would need private company registration (Pty) Ltd. 

2. Non-profit company registration (NPC)

If you wish to register a church, you would register a non-profit company.  A private school could be registered as a private company or non-profit company, depending on its objectives. 

3. Limited Liability Company registration (INC)

This company is registered by an association of professionals such as accountants, lawyers, doctors, civil engineers etc, may be registered as a personal liability company. Directors of this type of company registration are personally liable of any liabilities (debts) that may arise after company registration.

4. General Company registration information

4.1 Company registration without name reservation

In terms of the Companies Act, 2008, a company may be registered with or without a company name. When company registration is without a reserved name, the company registration number automatically becomes the company registration name. An example of a company registration without a name is K2013218293 (South Africa) 2013/218293/07 (PTY) LTD. This company registration without company name is the usually the quickest way of company registration. Such a company may however conduct its business with a company trading name (preferred company business name) even though the company name is not reserved.

4.2 Company registered name (Company name reservation)

The company registered without company name may apply to add a reserved registered company name at a later stage. In this case, the company will need to first reserve a name and then apply for a name change, which constitutes a change to its Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) (refer to  Maintain a Business). If your initial name reservation application is not approved, you will need to re-apply for new names. You may apply for between 1 and 4 names during each application process.