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DF Issue 201811 FINAL IDM (002)

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SOUTH AFRICA’S DEBT COUNSELLING MAGAZINE<br />

HOW<br />

COMMITTED<br />

ARE YOU TO<br />

THE PROCESS?<br />

November 2018<br />

www.debtfreedigi.co.za


5


FROM THE<br />

<strong>IDM</strong> DESK<br />

MAKE SURE YOUR FINANCES SUR<br />

The silly season has officially<br />

started where consumers are<br />

bombarded by the frenzy of Festive<br />

Season offers “special deals”<br />

and “discounts” – unwelcome<br />

temptations after a not so great<br />

year as far as the average South<br />

African’s personal finances are<br />

concerned.<br />

Since we’ve started assisting overindebted<br />

clients – 11 years now –<br />

we’ve seen the same trend. Our<br />

busiest time of the year is usually<br />

January to April as consumers are<br />

finally forced to face the reality of<br />

their compulsive buys and financial<br />

situation in the new year.<br />

But this year could be even worse<br />

as South Africans have been dealt<br />

a rough set of cards with news of<br />

South Africa’s recessional economic<br />

state breaking, as well as the VAT<br />

increase and various fuel price<br />

hikes.<br />

Our two debt counselling entities<br />

that form part of the <strong>IDM</strong> Group,<br />

DebtBusters and Consumer Debt<br />

Help, have already seen an earlier<br />

spike in debt management enquiries<br />

– since September this year, and it’s<br />

not predicting a great 2019 at all.


VIVE THE SILLY SEASON<br />

We cannot emphasise it enough<br />

that consumers should avoid being<br />

sucked into the commercial Festive<br />

Season hype. Make wise purchasing<br />

decisions in these tough financial<br />

times.<br />

Buying items on credit can be<br />

dangerous because if you can’t<br />

afford to pay the minimum instalment<br />

each month, the deficit will continue<br />

to grow and the consumer will end<br />

up owing more and more.<br />

It is particularly tempting to buy<br />

on credit this time of year, with<br />

consumers being met with festive<br />

advertising campaigns in just about<br />

every direction they turn and a<br />

general spirit of consumerism in the<br />

air.<br />

Instead of splurging on items simply<br />

because they are on sale, be strategic<br />

about purchasing decisions and only<br />

buy items that you really need, can<br />

realistically afford, and have been<br />

saving up for.<br />

With all of that said, we would like<br />

to wish all our clients a joyful Festive<br />

Season. Thank you for allowing us to<br />

assist you in your journey to financial<br />

freedom. We are looking forward to<br />

doing so again in the coming year.


How many times have you told<br />

yourself that when summer<br />

arrives this year you are not<br />

going to make the same winter<br />

mistakes you did last time. You<br />

tell yourself that this time you<br />

are going to be in beach ready<br />

shape by the time summer rolls<br />

around.<br />

Does that sound familiar? It is<br />

always a betrayal then when this<br />

time of year comes around and<br />

the bathroom scale seems to say<br />

that your good intentions may have<br />

been in vain.<br />

If you do want to get in shape then<br />

you may consider a diet of some<br />

sort. Now, diets are admittedly<br />

more interesting to research, plan<br />

and discuss than actually do. They<br />

require a lot of self-restraint (and<br />

you miss out on all the yummy,<br />

naughty stuff your friends insist on<br />

eating in front of you) . You have to<br />

really commit if you really want to<br />

lose weight.<br />

In a similar way debt review too takes<br />

a very high level of commitment to<br />

make it through the process. The<br />

question then is: Have you really<br />

committed to the process? Check<br />

out the article on the topic in this<br />

issue and be sure to look out for<br />

warning signs that you may not be<br />

as committed as you think.<br />

We also have lots of recent news<br />

from the industry and reviews you<br />

will want to check out. Suddenly<br />

the end of the year beckons and<br />

brings with it dangers which we<br />

discuss in this issue in some detail.<br />

Will you make any classic debt<br />

review blunders this December or<br />

will you be able to make it through<br />

the end of year successfully? Be<br />

on the lookout for some simple<br />

tips on how to avoid the dangers.<br />

If you are looking forward to not<br />

only the end of year break but<br />

also getting out of debt then you<br />

have just a few more days to plan<br />

how you will deal with December.<br />

So, break out those costumes and try<br />

them on in the privacy of your own<br />

home. See if your winter routine has<br />

let you down or not but whatever<br />

the result make sure that your debt


eview routine doesn’t waiver. Make<br />

those payments.<br />

Soon you will be ready to rest and<br />

relax and perhaps even sooner than<br />

you think you may be debt free.<br />

FROM<br />

THE<br />

E<br />

D<br />

IT<br />

O<br />

R


HOW COMMITTED ARE<br />

YOU TO DEBT REVIEW?<br />

C<br />

WIN AN<br />

ONLINE<br />

COURSE<br />

THE DREADED<br />

DECEMBER<br />

O<br />

NTENTS<br />

NEWS<br />

SERVICE<br />

DIRECTORY<br />

DISCLAIMER<br />

Debtfree Magazine considers its sources reliable<br />

and verifies as much information as possible.<br />

However, reporting inaccuracies can occur,<br />

consequently readers using this information do<br />

so at their own risk. Debtfree Magazine makes<br />

content available with the understanding that<br />

the publisher is not rendering legal services or<br />

financial advice. Although persons and companies<br />

mentioned herein are believed to be reputable,<br />

neither Debtfree Magazine nor any of its<br />

employees, sales executives or contributors accept<br />

any responsibility whatsoever for their activities.<br />

Debtfree Magazine contains material supplied to<br />

us by advertisers which does not necessarily reflect<br />

the views and opinions of the Debtfree Magazine<br />

team. No person, organization or party can copy<br />

or re-produce the content on this site and/or<br />

magazine or any part of this publication without<br />

a written consent from the editors’ panel and the<br />

author of the content, as applicable. Debtfree<br />

Magazine, authors and contributors reserve their<br />

rights with regards to copyright of their work.


THE DREADE


D DECEMBER


DREADED<br />

DECEMBER


For many people December is simply the best month of the year. They<br />

look forward to the end of year break and all the holidays. Kids will<br />

be able to rest and have lots of time with their friends and family<br />

and adults will get at least a few days off to do the same. A select<br />

few even receive the ever elusive 13th cheque or end of year bonus at<br />

the end of the work year.<br />

Malls will fill up as people head out to the shops, movies and baskets<br />

will be filled with gifts for friends and relatives as consumers head out to<br />

consume. Families may even pack their bags and head to the mountains<br />

or the coast for a well deserved getaway. The economy will get a boost<br />

and people will stretch those credit cards to the max as they try to live it up<br />

and have some fun.<br />

For those under debt review December is just another month to stick to<br />

their limited budget and make sure they pay their debt. In fact, the figures<br />

show that for those under debt review December is one of the toughest<br />

months of the year to stay in the process.<br />

For some who have been loyally paying their debts via debt review for<br />

many months or even years, December can be the straw that breaks the<br />

camel’s back and sees them bomb out of the process. This means that<br />

after all this time they will lose all the benefits they have been enjoying and<br />

will be thrown back to the collections wolves.


DREADED DECEMBER<br />

WHY IS DECEMBER<br />

SO TOUGH?<br />

Over the past decades marketing people have built up a false hype<br />

around December as they have tried to drive consumers to hit the<br />

shops and clear the shelves. Over time many have come to feel a<br />

sense of entitlement and expectation of going on a trip in December<br />

or getting gifts at the end of the year.<br />

This social pressure that often comes from the greed of others (even<br />

members of our own families and circle of friends) can drive those who are<br />

financially responsible throughout the rest of the year to crack in December.<br />

Rather than spending time with family and friends many of the end of year<br />

holidays have become almost exclusively about getting gifts. Many who<br />

travel back home during the end of year break from their jobs in the big<br />

city are expected to come either with cash in hand or many expensive gifts<br />

(or even better, both).<br />

Over spending in December leaves many consumers exposed when<br />

January rolls around and they are faced with a lot of extra annual costs<br />

such as new school clothes or stationery items for their kids. For those<br />

under debt review such reckless financial behavior is no longer an option.


DREADED DECEMBER<br />

DON’T LET<br />

DECEMBER<br />

TRIP YOU UP<br />

Where possible those who are under debt review should be wise and<br />

stick well within their budget. They should avoid any sudden increase<br />

in spending<br />

However those who have planned ahead and have been able to stick<br />

within their monthly budget over time may have been able to set aside<br />

a few extra rand during the preceding months to make use of during<br />

December. This may allow them to still travel to visit family.<br />

Rather than give large lavish gifts try to share thoughtful smaller low cost<br />

items or consider clever re-gifting ideas. Many smaller gifts and cards can<br />

be made at home in order to save money.


Let your family and friends be the ones who give to you this year. Don’t try<br />

and compete.<br />

Don’t let others greedy expectations destroy your entire financial future.<br />

Kids enjoy time with family and friends so make an effort to organize some<br />

fun for them.<br />

Cheap beach days and mountain adventure walks can be just as fun as<br />

expensive movies and hanging at the mall.


Don’t let debt be your legacy.<br />

Debt leaves a mark on all of us. And if we don’t manage it, it can pass from us to our children.<br />

But if you call us today we can help you. We have already helped 50 000 South Africans just like you.<br />

We can significantly reduce the monthly payments on the money you owe, so you can pay off your debt<br />

and live your daily life stress free. What is your financial freedom worth to you and your family?<br />

Call 087 237 7874 today and together we can take control of your debt.<br />

DebtBusters voted SA’s BEST National Debt Counsellor<br />

at the SA Debt Review Awards 2014, 2016, 2017 & 2018<br />

DebtBusters employs NCR registered debt counsellors | www.debtbusters.co.za


DREADED DECEMBER<br />

YOU DESERVE A<br />

BREAK FROM DEBT<br />

After a long hard year you may be focused on simply not being<br />

at work and the humdrum routine which wears you down. You do<br />

deserve a break. You do deserve some fun. Absolutely!<br />

With a little forethought and restraint you can ensure that you do this without<br />

running up big bills and running into trouble making your debt review<br />

payment this December.<br />

It’s rare these days to get a 13th cheque or bonus but it does sometimes<br />

happen. If you are fortunate enough to get one, what should you do with it?<br />

• Hit the shops, buy that flat screen tv?<br />

• Treat yourself?<br />

• Speak to your DC for advice?<br />

• Use to cover needed jan/annual costs and settle smaller debts?<br />

• Or distribute it to all debts evenly?<br />

Remember that you are trying to give yourself and your family the best<br />

financial gift of all - getting out of debt. If you do get a bonus why not talk<br />

to your Debt Counsellor about how best to use it?


HOW<br />

COMMITTED<br />

ARE YOU TO<br />

DEBT REVIEW


HOW<br />

COMMITTED<br />

ARE YOU?<br />

commitment<br />

- noun -<br />

“a willingness to give your time and energy to something that you<br />

believe in, or a promise or firm decision to do something”<br />

~ Cambridge Dictionary<br />

In life we often are asked to commit to doing things. A commitment requires<br />

that we mentally and emotionally decide to see something through from<br />

start to finish.<br />

For example, a couple may decide to make a commitment to stick together<br />

and get married or they may commit to having a child together.<br />

A child may ask a parent for a puppy. The parent asks the child if they will<br />

care for, feed and walk the pet on an ongoing basis and not only at first<br />

when the puppy is still fuzzy and new.


These are not short term, impulsive matters but require many years of<br />

energy through thick and thin to truly succeed.<br />

It is important to realize that debt review also requires commitment to<br />

be successful. Those who start the process must be prepared to see it<br />

through despite obstacles and even their own past bad financial habits<br />

and impulses.<br />

Those who start the process only to drop out after a short time actually<br />

often make their financial situation even more complicated than before<br />

and so a lack of commitment can really hurt those who lack staying power.<br />

Many who enter the debt review process find that there are certain<br />

challenges that they need to overcome to be successful. Debt Counsellors<br />

will be quick to tell you that their clients struggle to stick to the process at<br />

certain times of the year, like December or Easter.<br />

Consumers also have to force themselves to avoid old bad habits and<br />

mistakes. The urge to splurge, to treat yourself and to dress and eat at<br />

places that impress others can be hard to overcome.<br />

Hanging out with friends or family members who overspend can also be<br />

a trap for some. They may find it hard to stick to a new budget when the<br />

people they choose to spend time with are not wise with their spending.


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

DIET<br />

EXERCISE<br />

DEBT REVIEW


In many ways the challenge of sticking to debt review and seeing it<br />

through is similar to that of starting a new diet or exercise routine.<br />

At first, it is all fun and new but over time, as it becomes routine, you<br />

need real commitment to see things through.<br />

Starting a new Diet<br />

All your research<br />

tells you this is the<br />

right diet for you.<br />

You picture yourself<br />

shedding those extra<br />

Kgs.<br />

What at first was fun<br />

is now becoming<br />

routine and boring.<br />

All the people around<br />

you are eating<br />

delicious naughty<br />

stuff making it hard<br />

for you to stick to<br />

your diet. Those kgs<br />

are stubbornly still<br />

hanging around.<br />

Joining a Gym<br />

They offer you a<br />

month for free and<br />

a personal trainer<br />

shows you the<br />

exercises that will help<br />

you get in shape.<br />

After the initial<br />

excitement you<br />

struggle to get to gym<br />

regularly. Work and<br />

social commitments<br />

start to get in the way.<br />

You see little progress<br />

and get disheartened.<br />

It has been a few<br />

weeks. Why don’t you<br />

look ripped yet?<br />

Entering Debt Review<br />

The benefits are<br />

many. No more<br />

collection calls,<br />

reduced monthly debt<br />

repayments. What’s<br />

not to like?<br />

After the initial<br />

honeymoon period<br />

all you do is pay and<br />

pay. You seem to<br />

make little progress.<br />

Unexpected bills<br />

come along placing<br />

pressure on your<br />

reduced monthly<br />

budget. You feel like<br />

you are not making<br />

any progress.


Take Back Control<br />

Of Your Finances<br />

We provide a remedy specifically for<br />

over-indebted consumers which<br />

involves restructuring of debt<br />

payments, lowering interest rates and<br />

fees and lengthening payment terms.<br />

Debt Counselling could be the best<br />

gift you give yourself.<br />

Call 087 237 7874 today!<br />

2018<br />

Debt Review<br />

Awards<br />

WINNER<br />

2018<br />

Debt Review<br />

Awards<br />

WINNER<br />

DebtBusters voted SA’s BEST ‘National Debt Councellor’at the<br />

2018: Debt Review Awards - for the 3rd consecutive year!<br />

Consumer Debt Help voted SA’s BEST ‘Large Debt Councellor’<br />

at the 2018: Debt Review Awards - for the 5th consecutive year!<br />

Follow us on Facebook<br />

DebtBusters employs NCR<br />

registered debt counsellors<br />

| www.debtbusters.co.za<br />

Proudly part of the Intelligent Debt<br />

Management (<strong>IDM</strong>) Group


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

UNDERSTAND<br />

YOUR DEBT<br />

REVIEW GOAL<br />

Different people enter debt review for different reasons. This can then<br />

have an impact on how much they intend to see the process through.<br />

For example, some may join debt review simply to get the banks’ collection<br />

agents off their backs. They may not really care about a long term solution<br />

to their debt but may be more focused on no longer being harassed. They<br />

may actually enjoy spending money they don’t have and are not really<br />

concerned about getting out of debt.<br />

Others may really want to pay off all their debt but cannot manage to do<br />

that and still cover their monthly needs at home. So, they are forced to<br />

pick and choose between debt repayments to some creditors and basic<br />

necessities for their family. For them debt review offers a new way to try<br />

balance the two.


Others would really like to get rid of their smaller debts so that they can<br />

regain financial control over their situation and stop being forced to pay<br />

heavy penalties and interest fees for making use of short term credit. Debt<br />

review could help them do this.<br />

Finally, some just want to get out of debt. They want to clear the slate and<br />

not owe anyone anything. They want to settle their small and large debts<br />

no matter what it takes. Debt review gives them a plan and way to do this<br />

within a reasonable period of time.<br />

Debt Counsellors often assume that their clients want to get the full benefit<br />

of debt review and would like to settle all their debts entirely. This is, after<br />

all, the basic idea of debt review. The challenge they then face is to help<br />

those who start debt review with some other goals to then adopt this<br />

ultimate goal: to get out of debt.<br />

That said, their client may simply want to use the process to regain control<br />

and gain the time and breathing space they need to turn things around<br />

financially in their lives. In such a case the Debt Counsellor will also be<br />

able to assist the consumer to leave the process earlier but it takes good<br />

communication between Counsellor and client to ensure they are both on<br />

the same page.


Image designed by www.freepik.com


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU<br />

WHAT IS YOUR<br />

DEBT REVIEW GOAL?<br />

Have enough to<br />

cover basic costs<br />

each month...<br />

Pay off your<br />

smaller debts...<br />

Get debt collectors<br />

off your back...<br />

Pay off all<br />

your debts...<br />

While you may start the debt review process with only one goal in mind,<br />

you may find that you learn that all these goals are all important steps<br />

along the way to becoming debt free. They are, in fact, a way for you to<br />

measure your success in the process.


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

WAYS TO MEASURE<br />

YOUR PROGRESS<br />

Here are some milestones which you should keep in mind while under<br />

debt review. If you reach these milestones then you know that you<br />

are making progress and debt review is working for you.<br />

1<br />

You make your Second Debt Review Payment<br />

By month two you have now paid half of all the fees you will<br />

probably ever pay while under debt review.<br />

2<br />

You get your granted Court Order<br />

This legally binding court order makes it harder for your credit<br />

providers to step out of line and go back on any promises they<br />

have made.<br />

3<br />

You get through your first December and January<br />

This is a time of year when many fall out of the process due to


poor planning during the months leading up to December and<br />

over spending. If you make it through this means you have really<br />

embraced the process.<br />

4<br />

Get through a whole month without thinking about how<br />

your debt is stressing you out.<br />

If debt review has now become part of your monthly life then this<br />

is an important day. You are finally in the swing of things. This is<br />

actually a milestone showing that you are on the way to success.<br />

You are now in financial control.<br />

5<br />

You reach the Half Way Mark<br />

Your court order will tell you approximately how many months it<br />

will take to pay off your debt according to the new restructured<br />

repayment plan. Once you reach the half way point you will finally<br />

start to notice the balances on your debts beginning to shrink in<br />

a more obvious way.<br />

6<br />

A Smaller Debt Gets Paid Off<br />

One of your debts being finally paid off is a big deal. With<br />

debt review it is often true that even smaller debts are repaid<br />

over longer time periods. This can make it seem like things are<br />

dragging on. So, a debt paid up, even a smaller one, is a big<br />

deal and should be celebrated.<br />

7<br />

One Debt Left<br />

You can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and even if it<br />

has taken you many months or even years you can start to focus<br />

on where to next. Now you can begin to plan to build financial<br />

wealth rather than just be stuck with debt.


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

WARNING SIGNS THAT<br />

YOUR COMMITMENT<br />

MIGHT BE WANING<br />

Do you have a desire for new things you cannot afford? Are you<br />

always shopping online or talking about things you want to buy?<br />

Are you frustrated with how long it is taking to pay off your debts through<br />

debt review? Even though you have a court order that tells you how many<br />

months it is going to take do you feel that you are not getting anywhere?<br />

Do you feel that your situation would be much better if you could just get<br />

another loan again like in the past?<br />

Are you nitpicking about the process rather than discussing any possible<br />

issues with your Debt Counsellor? Have you forgotten how much debt<br />

review is helping you every single month?


THE END OF THE<br />

YEAR IS COMING<br />

SOME DEBT REVIEW PARENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REWARD<br />

THEIR KIDS WITH SOMETHING NICE BECAUSE THEIR BUDGETS<br />

ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT.<br />

Debt Counselling Community Support are putting together a few End of Year<br />

gift hampers for families under debt review who are having a tough time at the<br />

moment making ends meet. The hampers have a little something nice for all in<br />

the family and might help bring a little joy to the close of a long and hard year. It<br />

may be just the boost to help them keep on going in the months ahead.<br />

If you would like to be part of the End of Year Hamper drive then please email us<br />

and offer a little financial support.<br />

admin@dccsupport.co.za<br />

DEBT COUNSELLING<br />

COMMUNITY SUPPORT


DEBT REVIEW<br />

SCHOOL<br />

Know your abbreviations:<br />

NCR = National Credit Regulator<br />

NCA = National Credit Act<br />

NCT = National Consumer Tribunal


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

HOW LIKELY IS<br />

THIS PERSON<br />

TO SUCCEED?


10% commitment to paying off Debt<br />

Just tired of getting collection calls. Willing to<br />

try anything for a while, including debt review,<br />

to get those calls to stop. Still wants to live their<br />

old life style.<br />

WILL<br />

FAIL<br />

33% Commitment to paying off Debt<br />

Debt Review sounds great. They plan to<br />

temporarily use the process to turn things<br />

around and once things are better will go back<br />

to how things were before. Misses shopping<br />

at their old expensive shops and still hangs<br />

around with friends who overspend.<br />

WILL<br />

FAIL<br />

66% Commitment to paying off Debt<br />

Researched Debt Review and knows it is a great<br />

way to settle debt. Happy to get all the benefits<br />

but still likes to live the good life if possible.<br />

Tries to hide some facts and figures even from<br />

the Debt Counsellor who is helping them so<br />

that they can still have some little luxuries.<br />

WILL<br />

FAIL<br />

if they hit a<br />

rough patch<br />

along the way<br />

100% commitment to paying off Debt<br />

Prepared to do whatever it takes to get rid of<br />

debt and then stay out of debt. Understands<br />

Debt Review and how it works. Tracks their<br />

progress.<br />

LIKELY TO<br />

SUCCEED


HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?<br />

COMMIT TO<br />

SUCCEED<br />

To make use of debt review to get out of debt takes commitment. For<br />

most people it is a process that they will be in for a number of years<br />

(as is true of paying back most debts anyway).<br />

It requires that you adjust your way of spending. It requires that you learn<br />

to be patient. It requires that you see the big picture and not only be<br />

focused on instant gratification. That’s hard for many people.<br />

For those who embrace the debt review process and commit to it 100% it<br />

is a financial lifeline that turns their entire lives around from debt slavery<br />

to financial freedom. By knowing what your debt review goals really are<br />

and being aware of important milestones along the way, you can remain<br />

motivated even when the process becomes routine.<br />

Soon, like those who stick to their diet and exercise routine you will be<br />

looking finically fit and sexy. You will have shed the debt that was weighing<br />

you down and be ready to begin to build true financial wealth without the<br />

burden of debt.


DON’T WORK WITH AN OUT<br />

DATED VERSION OF THE ACT<br />

UPDATED<br />

2017<br />

We are happy to announce that the Amended National Credit Act booklet<br />

is now available via our shop.<br />

Get the latest version for only R250.00<br />

ORDER NOW<br />

http://debtfreedigi.co.za/product/pocket-sized-national-credit-act-booklet/


DEBT REVIEW<br />

SCHOOL<br />

The National Credit<br />

Regulator is in charge<br />

of registering and<br />

monitoring credit<br />

providers and Debt<br />

Counsellors.


NEWS NCR CONSUMER<br />

EDUCATION<br />

NCR HIRE<br />

RESEARCH FIRM<br />

The National Credit Regulator<br />

has acquired the services of<br />

consultants RedFlank to conduct<br />

an impact assessment of debt<br />

counselling as a debt relief<br />

measure since its inception in<br />

2007.<br />

The National Credit Regulator<br />

are tasked with regulating<br />

all those who participate in<br />

the credit industry including,<br />

credit providers, credit bureau,<br />

Alternative Dispute Resolution<br />

Agents, Payment Distribution<br />

Agents and Debt Counsellors.<br />

The National Credit Act also<br />

lays the heavy burden of<br />

educating South Africans about<br />

their credit rights and about<br />

the NCA. This month the NCR<br />

hosted a workshop with the<br />

public in Katlehong to help<br />

educate consumers.


DTI RESEARCH<br />

FORUM<br />

DCASA LAUNCH<br />

INVESTIGATION INTO<br />

NCA SECTION 71<br />

Though you may not have<br />

heard about it yet the<br />

Department of Trade & Industry<br />

are holding a research forum<br />

during December into current<br />

trends and the impact of the<br />

debt counselling industry<br />

in South Africa. The Market<br />

Research and Trend Analysis<br />

Chief Directorate of the<br />

Consumer and Corporate<br />

Regulations Division of the<br />

DTI will be holding a forum<br />

on the 6th of December in<br />

Gauteng (Sunnyside Pretoria).<br />

The forum will focus in on<br />

the current trends, challenges<br />

and the overall impact of<br />

debt counselling since it<br />

was introduced in 2007.<br />

Those wanting to attend<br />

have been asked to RSVP to<br />

LMorwamohube@thedti.gov.za<br />

The National Credit Act allows<br />

consumers who are under debt<br />

review, who pay off all their<br />

smaller credit agreements, to<br />

leave debt review and continue<br />

paying off their large debt (such<br />

as a bond).<br />

This change was made after<br />

it was realised that previously<br />

the wording of the NCA meant<br />

that a consumer who had<br />

a bond should stay in debt<br />

review until all debts were<br />

settled. This would then mean<br />

that consumers with a bond<br />

would potentially be in debt<br />

review for many years, possibly<br />

decades. Since this was clearly<br />

not the intention of the Act an<br />

amendment was made.<br />

Now any consumer, who pays<br />

off their short term credit and<br />

perhaps a vehicle loan and is


only left with a bond, can leave<br />

debt review and continue with<br />

reasonable payments towards<br />

their bond. They can then have<br />

the debt review status removed<br />

at the credit bureaus and can<br />

access credit again (if they can<br />

afford to do so).<br />

The Debt Counsellors<br />

Association of South Africa<br />

(DCASA) is currently preparing<br />

a report on how effectively<br />

the various large banks are<br />

managing this process. There<br />

are some who say that the<br />

process is being inconsistently<br />

dealt with and some consumers<br />

are getting the short end of the<br />

stick.<br />

The purpose of the changes to<br />

the NCA was to make it easier<br />

and safer for consumers with<br />

bonds to make use of the debt<br />

review process to sort out their<br />

short term credit issues while<br />

keeping their assets safe. If<br />

some banks are now making<br />

requirements of consumers which<br />

threaten their assets this would<br />

be defeating the purpose of those<br />

amendments. DCASA hope that<br />

the report will help inform the<br />

NCR and industry and assist with<br />

future implementation of this<br />

Section of the NCA.<br />

Certain consumers who wish to<br />

make use of this provision are<br />

told to first leave debt review<br />

entirely and only then will<br />

the bank negotiate with them<br />

about the required monthly<br />

repayment amount. This<br />

poses a danger since once the<br />

consumer has left the safety<br />

of debt review then the bank<br />

could demand a much higher<br />

payment than the consumer<br />

can afford.


NCT DISTRIBUTE<br />

RULING ON DEBT<br />

REVIEW<br />

In a bit of an unusual move the<br />

National Consumer Tribunal<br />

sent out a ruling about a debt<br />

review matter to all Debt<br />

Counsellors across the country<br />

via blast email this month.<br />

Other organisations and<br />

associations were also asked<br />

to spread the word. The ruling<br />

had to do with consumers<br />

who had been in debt review<br />

once before and, among other<br />

things, what accounts could be<br />

included in debt review or not.<br />

The Debt Counsellors involved<br />

are one of the largest in the<br />

country and because the ruling<br />

went against them it appeared<br />

to be rather negative for them.<br />

The firm has now decided to<br />

take the matter back to the<br />

NCT for another hearing since<br />

they did not actually know<br />

about the case the first time it<br />

was held. They never even got<br />

to attend. Because they did not<br />

present information to the NCT<br />

about his case the ruling was<br />

made without all the relevant<br />

information. This is important<br />

since this will then significantly<br />

alter the ruling after the matter<br />

is heard again this time with all<br />

parties present. It seems that<br />

the very unusual decision to<br />

so quickly and publicly share<br />

the ruling may have been<br />

somewhat premature after all.


Die Republiek van<br />

SKYT AFRICA<br />

Hi Almal,<br />

Die jaar staan nou vinnig einde se kant toe, oral waar jy in die<br />

winkelsentrums kyk is die speelgoed, Kersversierings en dies meer so<br />

strategies geplaas dat jy dit kwalik kan mis kyk. Dit voel eintlik of die<br />

winkels nou minder loopspasie het en dat jy enige oomblik oor iets gaan<br />

voeter en n helse berg vrugtekoek op jou gaan neertrek. Sommige kinders<br />

is ook merkbaar soeter, seker maar die dreigement dat Kersvader nie<br />

geskenke vir stout kinders bring nie.<br />

Dit is elke persoon se keuse hoe hy of sy wil Kersfees vier en ek wil nou<br />

regtig nie n polemiek daaroor veroorsaak nie, leef en laat leef. Krismis<br />

is ook vir die gelukkiges n bonus of n 13de tjekkie, in baie gevalle nooit<br />

genoeg nie maar tog nooit te versmaai nie. Nog gelukkiger mense het<br />

ook in hierdie tyd n welkome breek, vakansie om die batterye te herlaai vir<br />

volgende jaar. Volgende jaar met hopelik meer vreugde en minder vrese.<br />

Maar terug na die hede, elke koerant is gepak met brosjures gevul met<br />

die spesiale aanbiedinge, die “Krismis specials” so vol belofte van iets wat<br />

n mens graag wil hê. Erge uitlokking!


Jou krediteure is ook bewus van hierdie kooplus wat kliënte hierdie tyd<br />

van die jaar oorval. Hulle weet vir n feit dat paaiemente oorgeslaan<br />

gaan word en dat mense dit doelbewus doen. Hulle weet ook dat kliënte<br />

ongeskik gaan wees wanneer hul verskonings van onvoorsiene uitgawes<br />

nie aanvaar word nie. Snaaks hoe mense kan kwaad word as hul willens<br />

en wetens iets doen wat verkeerd is en dit dan probeer regverdig. As jy<br />

onder skuldberading is het jou skuldberader al seker vir jou gesê moenie<br />

vir jouself n gat grou waaruit jy nie kan kom nie en dan almal na die tyd<br />

probeer blameer nie.<br />

My boodskap is dus eenvoudig, betaal eers jou skuld voordat jy in die<br />

versoeking val om hierdie feesseisoen te spandeer wat jy nie kan bekostig<br />

nie. Moenie dat jou nuwe jaar op n negatiewe noot begin wat die hele jaar<br />

finansieel kan bederf nie. Hou matigheid voor oë wees verantwoordelik, is<br />

dit nie tog wat ons by die kinders tuisbring nie, n sin vir verantwoordelikheid?<br />

Moenie soos n stoutkind optree nie, die gevolge kan onsmaaklik en<br />

verreikend wees.<br />

En pasop vir BLACK FRIDAY! Onoordeelkundig koop met n ander se geld<br />

kan n donker toekoms skep, pikgitswart met nie eens n lig in die einde van<br />

die tonnel nie. Desember wat voorlê is soos enige ander maand wanneer<br />

dit by jou finansies kom, doen n begroting en hou daarby, moenie op die<br />

ingewing van die oomblik vasgevang word nie, moenie verantwoordelik<br />

wees vir jou eie staatskaping nie!<br />

Groete,<br />

Christo<br />

Christo Hattingh<br />

Kyk gerus my LinkedIn profile:<br />

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christo-hattingh-351a52130/<br />

* Seriously please do let us know if you found this article to be<br />

funny/offensive/amusing/interesting feedback@debtfreedigi.co.za


WIN<br />

FREE ONLINE TRAINING<br />

WORTH R1050<br />

All Debt Counsellors need to write business memos, letters and emails to credit<br />

providers and clients, even reports to associations or the Regulator. This requires<br />

that you know how to write using the correct tone, wording and phrasing.<br />

Business writing may not be your strong point and there is a danger that you express<br />

yourself unprofessionally or incorrectly when dealing with others. Fortunately,<br />

Corporate Rebels have an online eLearning course which can help called Business<br />

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One of the very interesting and helpful features of this particular course is the<br />

sound clip bar at the top of each page. This means that you can simply click and<br />

listen to the course material being read. This is a great feature for those who don’t<br />

love to read but do love to learn. The course takes you through standard document<br />

and email layouts to common business etiquette and more. For those running an<br />

office who want to upskill their staff or those who would like to improve their own<br />

correspondence skills this is a great course.


WANT TO WIN AN ONLINE<br />

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To Enter & Stand a Chance to Win*<br />

answer this COMPETITION QUESTION:<br />

In Business writing you need to learn how to write<br />

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Let us know what the three missing words are via email and you will be<br />

entered into the draw to win a online course about business writing valued<br />

at R1050.<br />

In order to find the three missing words that start with the letter ‘c’ you must<br />

follow the following steps:<br />

1. Go to www.rebels.co.za<br />

2. Click on TRAINING and then go to eLearning<br />

3. On the eLearning page download the eLearning Brochure .<br />

4. On the eLearning Brochure find pg 49 and search there for a sentence<br />

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CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US YOUR ANSWER<br />

* T&Cs exist and the final winner will be notified by email. The winner will be chosen by<br />

Corporate Rebels and their decision is final. Debtfree does not control who wins or the T&Cs.<br />

For more info head over to Corporate Rebels website: http://www.rebels.co.za/eLearning/


CONSUMER FINANCIAL<br />

EDUCATION FOUNDATION<br />

The Consumer Financial Education Foundation (Confef) has been<br />

around for just over a year now and has been making a positive impact<br />

on consumers around the country.<br />

Confef’s objectives are to empower, protect and promote consumer rights<br />

to those previously unaware of them. In their various outreach programmes<br />

over the last 12 months, Confef say that they have realised that there is still<br />

a huge lack of knowledge and understanding among many communities<br />

of the available debt relief measures out there. This just goes to prove the<br />

need for more consumer financial education, particularly in regard to debt<br />

counselling.<br />

Confef say that they have seen how chronic levels of over-indebtedness<br />

is contributing negatively to the socio-economic ills and challenges faced<br />

by millions of people around the country. They believe that education and<br />

innovative programmes which bring about behavioral change will help<br />

drive positive change in the country.<br />

Confef have partnered with several organizations and firms in an effort to<br />

take financial education to local communities including: supporters XDS,<br />

FSCA & DCASA and sponsors Debtfree & DC Partner PDA.<br />

One of their many highlights this year has been participation in the<br />

Money Smart Week (8-12 October 2018) organized by the Financial<br />

Sector Conduct Authority.<br />

Confef is a registered NPO


Confef believe that through collaboration and financial support, a lot<br />

can be achieved in improving the financial well-being of consumers<br />

while growing and sustaining the debt counselling industry.<br />

Support Welcome<br />

Confef say that they are eager to do as much as they can given their limited<br />

budget to try increase awareness of the debt review process and what it<br />

involves. They are planning to get to as many people as they can in 2019.<br />

Founding member Octavia Hlatswayo says that they always welcome<br />

support and sponsors who want to work together towards this<br />

goal. People need to learn about debt review and make use of<br />

it. We always try to educate people about this option.<br />

If you would like to get in contact and offer support then you can<br />

visit their website www.confef.org.za<br />

or email Octavia@confef.org.za

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