Tag: debt counselling

While some South Africans may have been notified by their banks, many consumers are not aware of the recent change in South Africa's credit reporting system, where banks are now required to report overdrafts if consumers are overdrawn by more than R500 for a period of 30 days.

In a world where we face mounting financial pressure, it becomes increasingly difficult to stick to the confines of our budget and keep our spending in order. Rising interest and inflation combined with skyrocketing fuel costs have knocked the finances of South Africans, leading to a rise in debt as consumers increasingly turn to credit to make ends meet.

It’s common cause that too many South Africans struggle with debt. National Credit Regulator data shows that 40% of the 25 million active credit users are behind on their payments. That proportion has probably become worse since April 2020 because the data was released before the COVID-19 crisis.

Both the South African government and its citizens are forced to allocate more of their resources towards debt rather than to education or housing. This creates a challenge to maintain healthy finances, leading to empty pockets and frustration.