Existing member?
Access the member portal for member-exclusive information and resources.
Membership
CGISA members benefit from continuous support, learning resources, and networking opportunities, so you can stay up to date and CPD compliant.
Ongoing professional development
Ongoing professional development
Our continuous professional development (CPD) approach includes upskilling and networking opportunities that will equip you for an ever-changing business context.
Preferential rates
Preferential rates
Get special membership and retiree rates on conferences and CPD webinars and seminars.
Communication
Communication
Keep up to date on all governance-related developments via our communication channels, including regular newsletters and our eZine and quarterly Boardroom journal.
Recruitment assistance
Recruitment assistance
We help companies and Governance Professionals match their needs and specialised skills with the right recruitment opportunities.
Technical support
Technical support
Access a technical manual and technical adviser for any assistance with governance, legal, and tax queries.
Trusted since 1909
Trusted since 1909
Join a respected, trusted institute that upholds a code of ethics and international standards of pre- and post-qualification education.
Commissioner of Oaths status
Commissioner of Oaths status
We assist you in obtaining a Commissioner of Oaths status
Membership keeps you at the forefront of global developments and best practices in governance. Becoming a Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional means establishing a lifelong relationship with the Institute, encompassing everything from professional qualification to board certification, supported by CPD and ongoing technical resources.
Membership has three levels: Graduates, Associates, and Fellows. Importantly, Institute membership reflects not just academic qualifications but also character, integrity, and the personal good standing essential in governance. It offers employers ‘watchdog’ accountability, with recourse to the Institute’s disciplinary and disbarment processes in cases of misconduct or breaches of the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
Become a Member
As custodians of corporate governance, the responsibility that comes with the role of Company Secretary and Governance Professional calls for a thorough understanding of the organisation’s business and of the laws, rules, and regulations that govern its activities.
Company Secretaries and Governance Professionals also need to be highly engaged within the company at various levels.
This requires the continuous development of many skills and knowledge.
Becoming a CGISA member can help you do this.
- Graduates who have completed the final Board examinations and on payment of their first membership subscription become GradCG.
- Associate membership is not automatic and is conferred at the discretion of the Institute based on academic accomplishment and work experience as well as proven personal and professional integrity. To qualify Members must have successfully graduated from the CGISA qualifying Board examination; and
- Three to six years’ work experience is required for an Associate membership. The designation ACG may be used by Associate members.
- Fellowship of the Institute denotes greater work experience and levels of responsibility. Admission as a Fellow requires a minimum of five to eight years’ work experience – served in a position of appropriate senior responsibility. The designation FCG may be used by Fellow members.
The eight and six-year qualifying periods can be reduced to three years where a person:
- has a recognised professional or pre-professional qualification. This can include but is not limited to a degree from a university of appropriate academic standing; a diploma or other certificate which in the country in which it is given is nationally recognised as being equivalent to a degree from such a university or
- has completed any other recognised professional development which justifies a reduction
All Members are required to be of good character and agree to abide by the Institute Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
- Fellow member – R6 310
- Associate member – R5 470
- Graduate member – R3 245
- Retired member – R 870.00
- PPG subscription – R1 205
To apply for membership of the Institute the appropriate form must be completed:
- GradCG: Apply to be a Graduate of the Institute. Complete the personal details form.
- ACG: Apply to be an Associate of the Institute. Complete the application for election as an Associate.
- FCG: Apply to be a Fellow of the Institute. Complete the application for election as a Fellow.
- Required supporting documentation:
- CGISA International Qualifying Board Examination Certificate/credit letter/academic record
- Other degrees/diplomas in support of educational background
- Applicants for Fellowship will be further required to submit together with the appropriate form and supporting documentation:
- Organogram of the organisation by which employed indicating position in the organisational structure
- Financial statements of current company only
- Application forms and appendices may be posted or emailed to:
- Email: membership@chartgov.co.za
- The applicant will be notified of a successful admission in writing and payment of the membership fee will be required to be confirmed. Membership certificates may be collected in person or couriered upon request (at an additional fee).
- On successful application, a Membership Certificate will be issued. This remains the property of the Institute and in the event of cessation of membership, must be returned to the Institute.
Discipline in Action – Institute Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
Did you know that all CGISA members are required to be of good character? CGISA members also need to abide by the Institute Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
Take a look at our Membership Handbook – a valuable and practical resource that covers everything from international membership and constitutional documents to governance structures and professional conduct and ethics.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
CPD is how professionals maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives.
Learn more about our approach to CPD and get all the information you need.
Members in Practice
The Professional Practice Group (PPG) promotes and enhances the role, recognition, and authority of its members within the framework of the Institute’s standards. This includes secretarial practice, accounting, business management, consultancy, and company administration. The goal is to encourage members to conduct themselves with professionalism and efficiency, fostering public awareness and demand for the services of governance professionals.
A PPG Technical Manual is available to all paid-up members. It covers:
- Code of ethics
- Secretarial matters for close corporations and companies
- Accounting matters for close corporations, sole traders, etc.
- Management accounting and consulting
- Retention of records
Apply for PPG Subscription
- The PPG subscription is a calendar year from January to December.
- On subscription, a Practising Certificate will be issued. This remains the property of the Institute and in the event of cessation of membership of the PPG, must be returned to the Institute.
- 2025 PPG subscription fee including VAT: R1 205
- Complete the PPG subscription form
PPG member applying to be a tax practitioner?
- CGISA supports PPG members in applying to SARS to become a tax practitioner. Should you wish register as a tax practitioner, please contact membership@chartgov.co.za
- Please note that you must submit the following:
- Police clearance certificate
- SARS tax clearance certificate
- Upon receipt of the two documents, we will send you information on how to register for the SARS readiness programme.
Tax Practitioners
Keen to apply as a PPG member? For us to apply to SARS
on your behalf and load you as a tax practitioner, we will
require the following information:
- Confirmed postal and email address
- Business telephone number
- Cell number
- Tax clearance certificate
- Criminal record check
- Proof of CPD hours for the current year
- Completed Personal Details Form
If you’re applying under a company name, we will also
need the following information:
- Registered company name
- Company registration number
- Tax type
- Tax reference number
- Registered address
- Business telephone number and address
Best Practice Guides
The art of being a company secretary
The role of the company secretary in state capture
Board committees and the role of the company secretary
Shareholder activism
Conflicts of interest
Shares
Artificial intelligence and the impact on the company secretary
Minuting meetings
Commissioner of Oaths
As a CGISA member, you have access to exclusive professional designations and support.
Discover how to utilise these benefits to enhance your professional practice.
Knowledge Hub
We provide you with a wide range of resources to help you meet your development needs.
Here’s everything you need.
- Member Designations
- Membership Handbook
- Institute Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct
- Application for Election as an Associate
- Application for Election as a Fellow
- Personal Details Form
- CGISA CPD Policy
- Professional Practice Group (PPG) Subscription Form
- Tax Practitioner Code of Ethics
- Request for Duplicate Membership Certificate
