This is entirely dependent on CIPC and what their turnaround time is.  Most Incorporations take around 3 weeks to process.   

You will receive the following documents in a PDF format via email:  CoR 14.3 (Company Registration Certificate), CoR 15.1B (Memorandum of Incorporation), Share Certificates, Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting.   These are all the documents you will need to open a business bank account for your company.

A Director runs the company; the Shareholder owns the company and they can be the same person.  For an Incorporation, all Directors have to be Shareholders as it is a personal liability company.  

Yes, absolutely.  Depending on what you would like to do, you can change pretty much everything on a company after its registered as long as you follow the correct procedure.  It is important to advise CIPC of any changes to your company such as address, financial year end and any Director changes.  

Annual returns are a tax levied by CIPC for your company to remain registered with CIPC and comply with company law.  Each year on the anniversary of your company’s registration the annual returns are due even if your company did not trade or made a loss.  The annual returns dues are calculated on annual turnover.  If you fail to settle your annual returns, penalties will be levied against the company. 

If the annual returns and penalties continue to remain outstanding, CIPC may start a Deregistration process.  This is the point when bank accounts are frozen and fixed properties become assets of the lender.  You may be able to restore the company if you are still trading.  This is a time consuming and costly process which is best avoided