Despite the relief measures granted by banks and other credit providers, many consumers now find that they have more debt than before the lockdown. Consumers that experienced a pay cut, a reduced income, or did not work for a period, may find it very difficult to repay their debt.
According to Johan Wepener of Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors (NCRDC114), the Covid-19 lockdown and consequent economic climate had a devastating effect on many consumers.
“Debt counselling has helped hundreds of thousands of consumers in South Africa to retain assets like houses and cars and to repay short term debt at a rate they could afford.”
“Anyone who cannot repay their debt should consider debt counselling. Debt counselling has helped hundreds of thousands of consumers in South Africa to retain assets like houses and cars and to repay short term debt at a rate they could afford.”
The debt counsellor negotiates reduced instalments and in most cases also reduced interest rates with credit providers to ensure not only affordable instalments, but also that debt is repaid in a reasonable time.
Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors was established in 2007 and has assisted many consumers over the past 14 years. “We are a ‘boutique’ (small) debt counselling business, offering a unique personalised service to consumers. We know all our clients by name and they know they can call me any time, also after hours. They know that when they call me, they will speak to me personally and not to a call centre agent.
“Each client has to be treated with respect and the debt counsellor must have empathy (not sympathy) with the client.”
“We realise than the decision to apply for debt counselling is not taken lightly. It is a personal and sometimes humiliating decision to make. Each client has to be treated with respect and the debt counsellor must have empathy (not sympathy) with the client,” says Johan.
This year, Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors was named among the Top 5 Boutique Debt Counsellors in the country for the third time in a row (2021). Nominations are made by credit providers and are based on criteria such as knowledge of the process, quality of proposals, turnaround time of queries, adherence to required time frames and, very importantly, the completion of the debt review process.
Completion of the debt review process means that the debt counsellor must assist consumers to repay their debt as soon as possible. A clearance certificate is issued, enabling the consumer to fully return to society and the economy as a productive participant.
Working with Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors is Dale Garthwaite, also a qualified debt counsellor. She has been involved in the business for the last seven years.
“Debt counsellors should negotiate with credit providers on behalf of the client in an honest and reasonable manner.”
Johan says a strong relationship with both clients and credit providers is crucial. “Debt counsellors should negotiate with credit providers on behalf of the client in an honest and reasonable manner, and should have the interest of both the client and credit provider at heart when making repayment proposals.”
Need more information?
Contact Johan Wepener on 082 558 8570.