[Report] DCASA Regional Meetings
DCASA have been holding regional meetings with Debt Counsellor members to update and inform them about current industry developments and provide networking opportunities.
Here is a report on what goes on at these meetings.
Updates & Association Stuff
The year has got off to a good start for many Debt Counsellors and they are already busy helping many new clients for 2025.
It seems that lots of people need help and DCASA members are there to offer the needed support.
A regular feature of these meetings is feedback on the NCR hosted Credit Industry Forum, which is where various industry associations meet to discuss industry matters. These meetings often help shape the non binding opinions issued by the NCR as guidelines to the industry.
At present, a focus of the CIF has been the 2009 Task Team on Debt Review. This previous task team and report helped shape how debt review is done on a day to day basis by 99% of the industry including the big banks.
For a long time during and after the Pandemic the CIF stopped meeting. This changed somewhat last year and some meetings have been held on parts of the old task team and subsequent NCR guideline. The idea is to try update the document and add in information that is now clearly missing, given the 16 years that have passed.
There was, unfortunately, little to report at this time as things have slowed down once again over the end of the year. Since many parts of the task team interact and intersect with one another and other considerations, it is a complex matter to tryto handle and coordinate across the various sub committees. Often one Sub Committee will have to wait for another to address a particular point before they can make progress.
‘it may take a year or two to make any real progress’
It was suggested that it may take a year or two to make any real progress and members (and consumers) will have to try be patient during this time.
Another topic discussed during the updates related to Debt Counsellor training. There are now persistent rumours that the course material is being revised into a year long course which might come into effect in 2026 or 2027.
Sponsors & Supporters
Various sponsors and supporters came on board to help cover costs like the venue and snacks.
Their generous support makes such meetings possible and pleasant. Among the various sponsors and supporters have been:
Consumer Friend
Datanamix
DC Partner PDA
DCCP
Laminin
VHT Attorneys
Other sponsors, like Hyphen PDA, iPDA and ONE, will be involved in sponsoring meetings later in the year.
At the various meetings these supporters had the opportunity to not only display to and network with attendees but they were also able to make presentations and take questions from attendees.
For example, Finwise discussed their software which integrates with DC Partner PDA and the many features designed to make a Debt Counsellor’s life easier – like integration with credit providers and CRM programs.
Datanamix discussed the additional functionality they offer over and above their R4/ credit reports.
Laminin discussed their 100 number anti spam rotation system and the focus on omni channel (multi channel) ways of reaching consumers at times and in ways that are convenient to them. This allows for higher conversions and better after care.
DCCP spoke about their specialist insurance policies for consumers in debt review (Credit Life insurance) and how the rates can be adjusted to be competitive with that offered by credit providers.
Such presentations allowed those attending to consider making use of the services and to get a better understanding of why such features are important.
Legal Matters
VHT Attorneys also offered a helpful summary and sparked discussion about two recent court cases. One where a Debt Counsellor received a R250 000 fine and another where the High Court confirmed that the National Consumer Tribunal does not have to rescind consent orders (even if there were some concerns). This ruling had to do with efforts of the wave of “get out of debt review” scammers and services being offered on social media.
Read More: Gauteng High Court Shuts Down Get Out Debt Review Strategy
Lessons learned were that if Debt Counsellors have a special Power of Attorney they use it would be good to mention that this would apply both to court and the Tribunal as options. This is helpful even though the Debt Counsellor themselves is always the applicant in court matters and consumers provide confirmatory affidavits.
Also, it is vital to have good record keeping and signed forms easily accessible should a consumer dispute having asked for debt review services.
Legal updates at such meetings keep members current and alert them to any needed changes to processes or paperwork they may need to put in place.
Networking & Informal Discussions
Time spent together chatting and enjoying something to eat and drink also presented the attendees with time to compare notes about the actions of several credit providers.
A common name that came to the fore pretty consistently was Capitec Bank, who have cut off telephonic communication to the industry and have been experiencing electronic communication turnaround time challenges. There was a high level of dissatisfaction among Debt Counsellors when talking about how they struggle with counter proposals (on DCRS matters etc).
Some people feel that the, Credit Provider provided, DCRS process is collapsing due (1) to the monstrous loans that can’t fit into the system (they are being worked in), (2) balloon repayment on vehicles and (3) frivolous counter proposals. There was talk of reporting such counter proposals directly to BASA who have some oversight over the DCRS system.
Attendees, including attorneys, credit providers, service providers and Debt Counsellors all have enjoyed these regional meetings during the first quarter of the year. Obviously, exactly what was covered in Gauteng was slightly different from KZN and what was covered in the Eastern Cape may have differed slightly compared to the Western Cape but we hope this gives you a feel for what these meetings are like. A new round of regional meetings will be held in a few months for those who wish to attend.
For those wanting to learn more about DCASA they can head over to their website: