Step 1: Keep Your Invention a Secret. Do not market, sell, or publicly disclose your invention until your provisional patent is filed. South Africa does not have a novelty grace period for public disclosures. Step 2: Conduct a Patent Search Before applying, search global databases to ensure your invention is new, useful, and inventive. You can do this online using the CIPC Intellectual Property Online tool.Step 3: File a Provisional Patent (Priority Date)What it does: Secures your place in line so you can publicly disclose your invention and seek investors.How to file: You can file directly online or use a registered South African patent attorney. Filing services like GlobalIPCo process provisional patents for around $49.Step 4: File a Complete Patent ApplicationDeadline: You have exactly 12 months from the provisional filing date (extendable by an extra 3 months for a fee).Who does this: The application requires specific legal wording, claim structures, and technical drawings. It is highly recommended to hire a qualified patent attorney. Complete patent applications prepared by an attorney can cost between R5,000 and R20,000.Where to file: Attorneys or applicants file complete applications through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission's CIPC IPOnline System.Step 5: Maintenance and Duration Once granted, patents in South Africa last for 20 years. To keep the patent active, you must pa20 years. To keep the patent active, you must pay annual renewal fees starting from the third anniversary of your filing date.