Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors have been recognised as one of the Top 10 Debt Counsellors in South Africa for 2025 in the category for Boutique Debt Counsellors.
Debt Counsellors are evaluated by die Debt Counselling Industry by criteria such as collection ratios, client retention, proposal quality, query resolution, communication and staff knowledge, adherence to timelines, consumer education, balancing the needs and rights of the consumer and the credit provider, as well as court and NCT activity.
“It is important for Johan Wepener Debt Counsellors to provide a comprehensive and quality service to our clients. We are proud to be recognised by the industry for the quality of service we provide. We try to be regarded as debt counsellors that are in good standing with credit providers, our clients, and in the industry in general.”
The following give a further perspective on the criteria and how we try to serve our clients and the industry.
- Collection ratios: Our aim with debt counselling is to get a client out of debt review as soon as possible. To achieve that, the client must pay the required monthly amount. If we negotiated repayments with creditors that are too high for clients to afford, they will default, resulting in a low collection ratio. We try to balance the amount we offer to creditors with the ability of the client to pay that amount.
- Client retention: Debt counselling is not easy for clients; many things can go wrong (e.g., unforeseen incidents that influence their ability to make a payment). Clients rely on us to communicate these matters with the credit providers. Firstly, we try to be available and reachable when clients need us, secondly, respond the same day or within two days, thirdly, inform creditors of these changed circumstances in an open and trustworthy way. By being available for clients and put their case to creditors, ensure we retain them.
- Proposal quality: A proposal is a repayment offer to creditors that becomes a revised credit contract and eventually is formalised in a court order. We try to make sure our proposals are realistic and feasible. We also try to give as much information as possible to ensure creditors can make informed decisions when proposals are considered.
- Query resolution: Creditors have queries about various aspects of the debt counselling process. It mostly involves payment related matters. We try to ensure that queries are resolved as soon as possible, but also to ensure our response to queries resolve the issue. It is easy to respond to a query, but we try to understand what the real issue is, so creditors do not have to follow up on unresolved issues.
- Communication and staff knowledge: Both Dale and Andre are qualified debt counsellors. They, therefore, have the knowledge to address issues in an efficient manner. We all have a work ethic to respond timely to queries. We never ignore an enquiry.
- Adherence to timelines: The debt counselling industry are bound by strict timelines. Notifications, proposals and court applications must be brought in the required time.
- Consumer education: When a client applies for debt review the process is explained in detail. We make sure a client understands what is expected of them, and what they can expect from the process. We regularly add new information on our website and use social media for education purposes and to keep clients informed.
- Balancing the needs and rights of the consumer and credit provider: Both the client and credit provider have rights and needs under the National Credit Act. In addition, we try to treat both fairly and openly. Our aim is to help the client to repay debt as soon as possible, but also to ensure credit providers get their money.
- Court and NCT activity: We try to ensure that all matters are taken to court or NCT within the prescribed time frame. We try to ensure applications are processed correctly to prevent postponement of court applications. We appoint attorneys that have previously been involved in debt counselling who know the process and requirements of the different courts.