Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 770912
Due Date: 7 April 2025
QUESTION 1 (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
For a valid partnership to exist in South African law, certain essentialia must be present:
(a) at least two persons agree to act in common;
(b) each contributes something—whether money, skill, or labour;
(c) the enterprise is carried on for their joint benefit; (d) the object is the making of
profit; and
(d) the intention is that each partner shares in the net profit and bears a corresponding
share in any loss.
In Joubert v Tarry & Co 1915 TPD 277, the court stressed that sharing in the profits (and
losses) of the business is central to the notion of partnership
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QUESTION 1 (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
For a valid partnership to exist in South African law, certain essentialia must be
present:
(a) at least two persons agree to act in common;
(b) each contributes something—whether money, skill, or labour;
(c) the enterprise is carried on for their joint benefit; (d) the object is the making
of profit; and
(d) the intention is that each partner shares in the net profit and bears a
corresponding share in any loss.
In Joubert v Tarry & Co 1915 TPD 277, the court stressed that sharing in the profits
(and losses) of the business is central to the notion of partnership.
In the present scenario, Zane, Bongi, Muthu, and Sophy intend to form a partnership
to buy and sell mobile phones. Bongi and Sophy contribute capital, Zane contributes
repair services, and Muthu is responsible for administration, marketing, and day-to-
day sales. Although they do carry on a business aimed at making profit for their
common enterprise, a potential problem arises regarding Muthu’s status. The
agreement explicitly states that profits are to be divided only among Bongi, Sophy,
and Zane, whereas Muthu receives a monthly salary rather than a share of net
profits.
This arrangement suggests that Muthu may not be a partner at all, but rather an
employee. In Joubert v Tarry & Co, the court indicated that a partner must at least
participate in the business’s net profit; the fact that Muthu does not share in those
profits is inconsistent with partnership. While Muthu’s services constitute a
contribution, the absence of profit participation undermines the joint-benefit
requirement.
Therefore, under the general principles set out in Joubert v Tarry & Co, only Bongi,
Sophy, and Zane effectively meet the requirements of partnership. Muthu’s fixed
remuneration places him outside the circle of co-partners, making the partnership
valid only among the other three.
OR