Joining the DSA

DSA Membership

The DSA in South Africa currently has a membership of 40 direct selling companies.

As a condition of membership, all DSA member companies have to adhere to the industry Code of Conduct (Code of Ethics). It is also compulsory for members to complete an annual industry survey questionnaire that provides updated industry statistics, published in July each year.

There are three categories of membership for the DSA: Probationary Membership, Full Membership and Supplier Membership.

Probationary Membership

Companies applying for DSA membership have to be operating as a direct selling company with a fixed physical address in South Africa, and registered as a business in South Africa.

DSA Membership application forms are available from the DSA Secretariat:
Jean McKenzie jeanemck@jcci.co.za

Once the form and a non-refundable application fee of R250 has been received, the form is sent to the DSA Membership Director for evaluation and follow-up. Evaluation includes a visit to the company offices and a detailed look at all printed documentation to ensure that the company complies with the DSA Code of Conduct (Code of Ethics).

If it’s noted that changes need to be made in order to comply with the Code, the application for membership will only proceed once an undertaking has been given by the applying company to make these changes.

When the Membership Director is satisfied that the applying company is compliant with the Code, a motion will be proposed at the next general DSA meeting (5 meetings per year) that the application be accepted. A representative of the applying company must be present at this meeting to field questions from DSA members. If those DSA members present agree to the proposal for acceptance as a probationary member, the company begins its 12-month probationary period.

This 12-month probationary period enables the DSA to assess the company’s compliance to the Code, and gives time to the company to ensure that all required changes, if any, have been made.

Full Membership

After a 12-month probationary period has been satisfactorily completed, during which time the company must have attended at least three DSA meetings, the company is proposed for full membership of the DSA. Should there be no objection from existing members, the company is awarded full membership.

Supplier Membership

The category DSA Supplier Membership caters for companies who provide products and/or services to the direct selling industry in South Africa.

The supplier member company has to be nominated by a full member company, for whom it has worked for a consecutive 12-months, and must align with the DSA Supplier Member Ethical Standards and abide by the Supplier Members’ Ethical Responsibilities Code

A DSA Supplier Membership application form must be completed and returned to the DSA. Forms are available from (and submitted to): Jean McKenzie, DSA Secretariat jeanemck@jcci.co.za

Once the form and non-refundable application fee has been received, the DSA Board of Directors review the application. If successfully approved, a recommendation for Supplier Membership is proposed at the next DSA meeting (five meetings per year). Both the nominating DSA member and the supplier company must be present at the meeting.

The cost of application is a non-refundable R250, and annual fees are payable.


DSA Membership Enquiries: