The document discusses four main types of business ownership structures in South Africa: sole proprietorships, partnerships, close corporations (CCs), and private companies. It provides details on the key characteristics of each, including their legal structure, ownership, liability, taxation, and advantages and disadvantages. A sole proprietorship is owned and operated by one individual, while a partnership involves two to twenty partners. A CC is a legal entity with one to ten members, and a private company can have up to fifty shareholders.