National Debt Counsellors You Can Trust!

For a true and honest reflection of our service levels and how we have assisted many consumers, have a listen to this podcast by Debt Review with Dummies having an interview with one of our clients, and Nadia, our head debt counsellor.

Sandton Debt Counselling’s head debt counsellor, Nadia de Weerdt, represents the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa (DCASA) in the Western Cape region. We are NCR registered and have also been a top ten nominee for three years and now in 2024, we finally made it to the top five companies in our tier, at the South African debt review awards. This, paired with our excellent reviews on Hellopeter.com proves that when you become part of the SDC family, you will receive the best service in the industry.

"No. In fact, the core purpose of Debt Review is to help protect your home and your vehicle from repossession.

This is often the first question we hear, and rightly so. These are not just possessions. They are essential to your daily routine, your work, and your family life. The fear of losing them is real, and we understand that.

That is exactly why Debt Review exists.

If your creditors are starting to take legal steps, like threatening to repossess your assets, entering Debt Review can shield you. It offers immediate legal protection, stopping creditors from moving forward with repossession as long as you act in time.

But timing matters. If legal action has already gone too far, like a summons being issued, it may be too late to stop the process. If you have gotten any legal letters or just feel like things are spinning out of control, do not wait.
We are here to help you hold onto what matters most."

"When you enter Debt Review, a flag is added to your credit profile. This means you legally cannot apply for new credit or use current credit cards while under review.

This is not punishment, it is protection. We are getting you out of the debt trap and by temporary blocking access to credit, we can, together, focus on the current debt problem.

And here’s the best part, it’s not forever.

Once you’ve completed the process, you’ll receive a Clearance Certificate. This is sent to all credit bureaus, who must remove the Debt Review flag from your record.

That gives you a clean slate to rebuild your credit and move forward.

It’s a temporary pause with long-term benefits.

Think of it as a reset button for your financial life, not the end, but the start of a new chapter."

"We understand that if you’re considering Debt Counselling, money is already tight, and affordability is likely one of your biggest concerns. That is exactly why the fees are carefully regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR) to protect you.

There are no upfront costs. We don’t even charge the usual R50 upfront assessment fee. Instead, the fees are covered by your first one or two affordable monthly payments.

The main fee for restructuring your debt is equal to your first reduced monthly payment. But it is capped at R8,000 (excl. VAT) for a single person, no matter how much you owe.

So even though your debt might feel overwhelming, the cost of help stays fair.

And since this fee structure applies to all registered debt counsellors, you can be sure you are not being overcharged.”

"Yes. Once your application is accepted, creditors will have to stop contacting you directly. They have to communicate with us.

The National Credit Act provides you with immediate legal protection from the stress of endless calls and demands. From that point on, they must communicate with your debt counsellor, not you.

If a creditor does call, you don't have to engage. Simply tell them you are under debt review and provide them with our details. You can also forward them the legal notice we issue on your behalf (known as a Form 17.2), which officially informs them of your status.

And if anyone ignores the rules? Let us know immediately. We will handle it.

We are here to be your shield. Our job is to protect you—that’s the law."

"Yes, but as it's a formal legal process, it must be done correctly. Always speak to us first. There are two main ways to exit:

1. Completing Your Plan

You receive a Clearance Certificate once:

• All your debts are fully paid, OR
• Your short-term debts are settled, and only your up-to-date home loan remains.

This certificate clears the Debt Review flag from your name completely.

2. Withdrawing from the Process

The path here depends entirely on timing:

• Before we notify your creditors (by issuing a Form 17.2), you can still withdraw your application.
• After creditors are notified, only a Magistrate's Court can declare you 'no longer over-indebted'. This is a standard legal step we would guide you through.

Once the court order is granted, we can then clear your name. The most important step is to always to talk to us first."