Cornel Strydom
Registered debt counsellor · NCRDC1437
Debt review in South Africa
Debt review in South Africa: how it works
If your income no longer covers essential living costs and all your debt repayments, debt review may help. An NCR-registered debt counsellor assesses your situation and can propose a structured repayment plan based on what you can afford. This does not involve taking a new loan.
What is debt review?
Debt review is a process under the National Credit Act for people who cannot afford their credit repayments after necessary living expenses. A registered debt counsellor assesses your finances and helps prepare an appropriate repayment proposal. You still need to pay under the agreed arrangement and follow the formal process.
Meet the registered counsellors behind DRC
Cornel and Susan Strydom are listed by the National Credit Regulator under Debt Review Centre. You can check their names, registration numbers and Newton Park address in the regulator's register.
Susan Strydom
Registered debt counsellor · NCRDC1355
Based at 22 Burt Drive, Newton Park, Gqeberha. Contact DRC about an office visit or remote assessment.
What to expect from DRC
Legal debt-relief process
Debt review is provided for under Section 86 of the National Credit Act.
NCR-registered assessment
A registered debt counsellor checks your income, essential expenses and credit commitments before recommending a formal process.
Repayments based on affordability
If debt review is suitable, a repayment proposal is prepared around your verified disposable income and discussed with your credit providers.
Clear costs and next steps
You should receive an explanation of fees, responsibilities, timelines and what happens next before you proceed.
What debt review can do
Debt review is designed for over-indebted consumers who have income but cannot keep up with all their monthly credit commitments and essential living costs.
A registered debt counsellor can:
- Assess whether you are over-indebted.
- Help you build a realistic household budget.
- Negotiate with credit providers about reduced contractual payments.
- Prepare a proposal to restructure qualifying debts.
- Monitor the agreed payment process and guide you towards the applicable clearance requirements.
Who should check if they qualify?
It is worth requesting an assessment if:
- You are using credit to cover food, transport or other essentials.
- You are paying some accounts by falling behind on others.
- Your monthly debt repayments no longer fit your income.
- You are worried about arrears, collection pressure or possible legal action.
- You want a regulated route instead of borrowing more money.
How the DRC debt review process works
1
Request a free assessment
Share your income, essential monthly expenses and credit commitments so a counsellor can understand your position.
2
Check affordability and over-indebtedness
A registered debt counsellor reviews whether debt review is suitable and explains other options if it is not.
3
Start the formal application
If you choose to proceed and qualify, the formal process begins and the required notices are sent to credit providers and credit bureaux.
4
Prepare a repayment proposal
Your verified disposable income is used to prepare a realistic proposal for qualifying credit agreements.
5
Complete the required legal process
The repayment arrangement is formalised through the applicable court or National Consumer Tribunal process.
6
Maintain payments and work towards clearance
You make the agreed payment, keep in contact with your counsellor and work towards the legal requirements for a clearance certificate.
Debt review, debt counselling and consolidation
Debt review and debt counselling commonly refer to the same formal service in South Africa. This page explains the application and repayment process. Our debt counselling guide explains working with a counsellor, including assessment, costs and ongoing support. Debt consolidation is usually a new loan used to settle other debts.
If you are already struggling to afford existing credit, taking another loan may increase the pressure. Start with an assessment before deciding which route fits your situation.
Keep a record of the formal process
Ask your counsellor to explain the documents you sign and the notices issued on your behalf. Your records should help you understand the current stage, the proposal and where your payments are going.
- Your application, commonly called Form 16, and the notices sent to creditors, including Forms 17.1 and 17.2 where applicable.
- Verified account balances and a repayment proposal showing payments, interest assumptions, fees and the proposed term.
- Any court or tribunal order and the payment distribution information for your arrangement.
- Statements, proof of payments and any agreed changes while the plan is running.
A proposal is not the same as an accepted arrangement. Ask which terms have been agreed and which legal steps remain. If your income changes, contact your counsellor before adjusting payments yourself.
Know the costs before you apply
DRC's calculator and initial assessment are free. A formal debt review application is a separate step with fees. Ask for a written quote before you decide to proceed.
- Application, administration and restructuring charges.
- Ongoing aftercare, payment distribution and legal costs.
- VAT, payment dates and the amounts reaching each creditor.
- Any optional product, its separate price and your agreement to it.
A smaller monthly instalment can mean paying for longer. Compare the full payment schedule and total cost, including fees.
Understand the fees and questions to askWhat to have ready
For the first conversation, have a rough picture of your income, living costs and debts. A formal assessment may require supporting documents.
- Recent proof of income and bank statements.
- Statements showing balances and instalments for your credit accounts.
- A household budget covering necessary living expenses.
- Any arrears letters, legal notices or court documents.
- Identity and marital-status documents when needed for the formal process.
You can use the calculator without giving us your ID. An enquiry is not permission for a credit check or a formal debt review application.
Use the free assessment checklistA simple affordability example
Suppose your household takes home R20,000 a month and needs R12,000 for living costs. That leaves R8,000 before debt payments. If your current instalments total R9,500, the budget is R1,500 short.
- Take-home income
- R20,000
- Essential living costs
- R12,000
- Available before debt payments
- R8,000
- Current debt instalments
- R9,500
- Monthly shortfall
- R1,500
This shows a budget gap. It does not mean a creditor will accept R8,000, establish legal over-indebtedness or include formal debt counselling fees. A counsellor must check the accounts and prepare any appropriate proposal.
Check your own figures in the calculatorHear Judith's experience
Judith describes how buying and furnishing a home left more of her salary going towards debt. In this video on DRC's channel, she shares her experience of asking for help.
Published in 2020. This is a personal account, not a promise of the same result for someone else.
"…helpful, patient, and always takes the time to explain everything clearly."
"She was helpful, kind and considerate."
Selected excerpts from public reviews. Read other feedback on Google.
Answers before you decide
Who qualifies for debt review?
Income, affordability, responsibilities and situations that need individual advice.
Debt review fees
What each charge covers and what to ask before accepting a quote.
Credit while under debt review
Borrowing restrictions, emergencies and applying after clearance.
Completing or leaving debt review
Why your current legal stage matters and how clearance differs from cancellation.
Compare your debt options
How a repayment arrangement differs from taking another loan.
How long does debt review take?
Understand what affects the repayment term and how to follow your progress.
Debt review FAQs
What is debt review?
Debt review is a debt-relief process for over-indebted South African consumers. A debt counsellor registered with the National Credit Regulator assesses the consumer’s finances and, where appropriate, helps restructure qualifying credit repayments through the formal process.
Who qualifies for debt review?
A person generally needs an income and must be unable, or likely to become unable, to meet all credit obligations on time after reasonable living expenses. Qualification is confirmed through a proper assessment, not an online promise.
Is the first assessment free?
DRC offers a free initial assessment. Formal debt counselling fees may apply if you proceed. The fees, responsibilities and payment process should be explained before you commit.
Can I get new credit while under debt review?
No. A consumer under debt review cannot obtain further credit until the process is completed and the applicable clearance requirements are met.
Does interest stop under debt review?
No. Interest does not automatically stop. The repayment proposal deals with payments and terms through the formal debt review process.
Does debt review stop legal action?
Legal protection can apply when debt review is started before enforcement has progressed too far and the required process and payments are maintained. A debt counsellor must check the position of each account before giving advice.
How long does debt review take?
There is no single fixed term. The time depends on income, essential expenses, debt balances, the agreed repayment terms and whether payments are maintained.
Is debt review the same as debt consolidation?
No. Debt consolidation is normally a new loan. Debt review restructures qualifying existing credit through a regulated process and does not require a new loan.
How do I start?
Begin with a free assessment. You can check whether debt review may fit your situation or use the calculator for an initial estimate before speaking to a counsellor.
Get a clear answer before debt pressure gets worse
Start with a free assessment of your income, essential expenses and debt commitments. You will get a practical explanation of whether debt review may fit your situation and what the next step involves.