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The 2026 Annual Debt Review Awards

The annual Debt Review Awards recognizes excellence in the field of debt review.

Debt Counsellors, credit providers, attorneys, the media and Payment Distribution Agents are all recognized at this prestigious industry awards event. The results of an industry peer review process are announced at a modest black tie gala held in a different city each year.

Nominees as well as local Debt Counsellors, credit providers and attorneys are invited to attend.

This year the Awards will be held on Friday afternoon, 16th of October 2026.

The event will be livestreamed from the venue in Cape Town. All in the industry, as well as those involved in the debt review process, are invited to watch on YouTube.

Peer Reviews

Each year people who are registered with the National Credit Regulator (like Debt Counsellors) and people who work at debt review departments at credit providers (such as senior managers) are invited to participate in industry peer reviews.

This gives them the chance to briefly evaluate others who they work with regularly. They do not evaluate people who work on the same side of the industry (so credit providers would not evaluate other credit providers) but they get to evaluate people who they regularly interact with (so Debt Counsellors would complete peer reviews about credit providers etc.).

Across the year, many small peer reviews are sent out to help spread the load. As these are completed, a complete picture begins to reveal itself. Each review adds to the next, and the top candidates in each category are slowly revealed.

Not Getting Invited To Participate?

The Awards organisers primarily make use of the NCR database of registrants for most of the year when calling for reviews. Please check that your contact information is correct listed.

The 2026 Criteria

Over the years, a set of criteria has been created and refined with the help of industry leaders, organisations and associations.

The criteria considered covers legislated requirements (the stuff that legally has to be done) as well as best practice (things like good communication, well trained staff etc.).

The idea is that the legislated stuff is the bare minimum and the extra criteria help credit providers and Debt Counsellors stand out, going beyond the minimum.

Each year the organizers engage with the industry about the criteria and categories at a Debt Counsellor and Credit Provider Meet Up. This event, held on the day before the Awards, enables criteria to constantly be refined and improved as the industry changes over time.

Also, a survey is sent to all participants after each year’s Awards gala to call for suggestions and refinements. Thank you to all who have offered great suggestions over the years.

For a more detailed discussion on criteria for different categories visit www.debtreviewawards.co.za