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Our Editor's Note

In 2008, I completed the debt counselling course; this was just after the National Credit Act introduced the idea of debt review and debt restructuring.

Over the years, I have never stopped learning, and hopefully I am a better Debt Counsellor today than ever before. I still feel I have much to learn as the economic set up of the world keeps shifting.

The process has shifted and changed over the years, but the core intent of balancing the needs of massive corporations with the lone consumer remains the same. Ensuring that people can sustainably pay off their debt over a reasonable time period is key to the whole thing.

Currently, things are harder than ever and making end meet will increasingly become the focus of the industry. At the moment, the sustainability of the participants (Debt Counsellors, credit provider and PDAs) is a hot topic. We need to be sustainable to be able to offer ongoing support.

But we all want the consumers in debt review to succeed and get back on their feet. We also want credit providers to get their money back so they can stay in business.

The hard-working people who make all that possible are Debt Counsellors. In any industry, some people or some businesses do slightly better than others; that’s normal.

In this issue of the magazine, we explore what makes a “good” Debt Counsellor.

What distinguishes one from another? 

What does good actually mean?

We are only a few weeks away from the annual Debt Review Awards. This is the place where good Debt Counsellors (and credit providers, attorneys, etc.) are recognised.

The Magazine team are helping out with all the plans for the event (along with several other wonderful volunteers). While only 200 in-person guests will be there on the 16th, the event is live streamed so that all can enjoy the entertainment and hear the results in real time. We hope you can join us.

A lot of this issue is set aside to explaining the process and the plans in more detail, so, if you have been wondering about the Awards, then catch all those articles.

If you are a Debt Counsellor or credit provider, attorney or magistrate reading the issue, we hope it enlightens you and helps you in your ongoing efforts to keep learning, and keep improving.

If you are in debt review, we encourage you to keep learning and to keep paying. Your debt review is a lifeline to your future financial freedom. Don’t let it slip. Fight for all you are worth to stick to the process, there is nothing like it out there. This is your one chance to turn things around and finally get debt free.