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Opening Remarks By the NCR

The National Credit Regulator registers and monitors credit providers, Debt Counsellors, Credit Bureaus, ADRs and Payment Distribution Agents who work in the industry.

It was a privilege to welcome Ms Lebogang Mosupye of the National Credit Regulator (NCR) to open the event with some words about the positive efforts of the debt review industry in helping rehabilitate consumers dealing with debt stress. 

Currently, there are 250 000 people actively involved in repaying their debts via the process. Around 15 000 people are entering debt review monthly.

Mr Krisen Moodley of Datanamix next spoke about the role of credit bureaus in the debt review and credit granting process. He admitted to being a numbers guy but showed his sense of humour.

Krisen spoke about how Datanamix are disrupting the space with their innovative products and easy to use services. He asked why this part of the process (getting and verifying important information) can’t be as easy as clicking a button? And they intend to make it so.

He also revealed that those joining the fun at the 360 camera were in line for some prizes.

New Look of Awards

After a decade of the traditional Golden Piggy Banks, which were locally sourced and made in Cape Town, the Debt Review Awards have changed their look and feel this year (and going forward).

The new look awards which are also locally made in South Africa keep the iconic piggy bank design – Just with a new twist. The piggy bank is after all the global sign for saving. And though not a savings plan debt review does help save consumers homes, cars and more.

Guests were looking forward to finding out who this little piggy will go to this year.

The Co-Branded Awards

There were a number of co-branded awards handed out to deserving winners on the day.

These are traditionally done in connection with various supporters and sponsors.

This year it was exciting to introduce recognition for newer Debt Counsellors who have entered the industry on a strong note and are now helping a good number of clients with their services.

This was recognised in the new Rising Star Category.

Working with DCCP (who provide specialised insurance to the industry) two newer Debt Counsellors who have shown their potential were identified.

Though both winners have only been in practice for a short time they have already helping a few hundred clients on their way to financial rehabilitation.

A message from Someshnie & Jabulane collecting the Award from Eddie of DCCP on behalf of Godfrey Risenga

Congratulations to Mr Godfrey Risenga (Erflo Debt Counselling) and Mrs Someshnie Rajkaran (SymSynE Consulting) on being recognised this year.

The next award handed out was to those Debt Counsellors making good use of available technology (as well as their clients making use of portals like DReX to access information about their own debt matters).

Mr Scott van Staden, of Slipstream Technologies was on hand to announce the both the Top 5 users this year and the ultimate winner: DebtSafe.

The Debt Review Awards is not just about companies and practices but also about individuals.

Each year the Awards like to recognise the hard work done by two individuals who work within the industry. This first recognition going to someone who is changing the way things happen on a day to day basis in the industry and the second recognition looking more at a long pattern of helping the industry.

This year the prestigious ONE | Debt Review Awards Significant Contribution to Debt Review awards were presented to

(1) Mr Casper Le Grange of DCGsa for his Significant Contribution to the Debt Review Process and particularly his work on the NCT Task Team 2.0 and with DCASA and

(2) Ms Maggie Kotze who has trained many people working in the industry. Maggie has done this for many years and is a mentor to many Debt Counsellors. She was recognised with the Significant Contribution to the Debt Review Industry Award.

Capital Data Debt Write Off

3 Consumers who are clients of Capital Data and have entered debt review and are now paying off their debts responsibly were in for a real treat this year.

As has been their pattern over the last 3 years Capital Data, who are a division of Nutun, announced that they were writing off these consumers debt with them.

This is a favourite moment in the Award gala and focuses in on the consumers who are loyally sticking with the process and keep on paying off their debts each month. The entire process and industry is designed to help such ones deal with their debts responsibly.

The Debt Counsellors of the 3 clients were notified and we hear around R40 000 worth of debt was written off. Amazing.

Thank you to Capital Data for their generosity towards these consumers.

Time For a Break and A Little Fun

The audience then got to have a bit of a break to stretch their legs. Those online got to enjoy a special episode of the popular Debt Review With Dummies Podcast.

Meanwhile at the venue everyone also got to play a game of “Debt Review”.

The result was Debt Counsellors rushing between credit bureaus, credit providers, PDAs, attorneys and the NCT to get cards representing different steps of the debt review process to progress. 

The Debt Counsellor (Nikki from Consumer Debt Support) who won the game cleaned up with twice as many ‘clearance certificates’ as any other in attendance.

For consumers in debt review, the ultimate goal is to get debt free and then get a clearance certificate from their Debt Counsellor. This is the form that shows their debts are now all settled and they can re-enter the credit market if they so desire.

Continued in Part 4…