A Steady Turn of the Wheel

28 October 2025

by Nadia de Weerdt NCRDC3360, DCASA Western Cape Representative – Sandton Debt Counselling

 

When justice speaks, it doesn’t whisper -but when reform finally answers, it moves quietly, steadily, and eventually all at once.

In this piece, we look back at a few key moments in the industry over the last few years and how we went from red tape to real change as we reignited the spirit of collaboration in the Debt Review Industry.

 

The Catalyst – Reigniting the Engine

DCASA refused to let silence be the industry’s default setting. Since 2021, things started moving- behind the scenes, and slowly.
We hosted weekly conversations, often heated, always constructive, because the wheels of justice only turn when someone pushes.
We didn’t chase headlines; We built handrails.

The Expansion – Collaboration Begins

By April 2022, a few of us were pulling threads together. It took a lot of delicate coordination to get consensus. We connected with other voices to broaden participation, because meaningful reform doesn’t come from one committee. We were also battling rogue debit orders case by case, creditor by creditor- on the sidelines. As CIF had not commenced, it was uphill battle at times. DCASA kept the faith that with communication, many hurdles could be overcome.

We all believe in the same principle: that consumers, creditors, and counsellors all deserve a transparent framework. Behind the scenes, we had to gracefully balance several stakeholder interests.

 

The Turning Point – The TTA Revival

The door for real reform had been opened; and our focus has been making sure that door doesn’t close again. Visibility is not the same as delivery, as the real work was ongoing long before the headlines made their way into the public space or the pictures were snapped in celebration.

On 17 March 2023 DCASA had its first breakthrough with CIF confirming to resume with 3 subcommittees chosen as DCRS, DC FEE REVIEW, and a choice between Task Team Compliance and credit bureau proposal. Here, is where we started the battle to ask how we could logically work on compliance if the Task Team Agreement (TTA) needed a review. When everything needed a review. It was indeed a frustrating battle as many meetings were postponed and cancelled last minute for more urgent matters. The urgent matters seemed never ending- on all sides.

In parallel, the NCR’s August 2023 inspections and raids against rogue debt counsellors sent a clear signal that the regulator was no longer willing to tolerate non-compliance. For those of us already working to strengthen the TTA and rebuild trust with credit providers, it was a welcome reminder that ethical practice and reform must run side by side.

CIF finally resumed very early 2024. Creditor direct engagements were ramped up due to multiple battles including some releasing videos on social platforms that were less than palatable when referring to debt review. AGM for end of 2023 stated: DCASA have had positive responses and willingness from Credit providers such as FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec, Finchoice, and Imas to follow the TTA, through in-person meetings. It seemed that for practical purposes, we became the task team compliance watchers and straightened out individual cases- based on DCASA members submissions.

When we began pushing for a full review of the Task Team Agreement, it wasn’t glamorous. DCASA was persistent, practical, and unafraid to do the dirty work for the clean outcome. NCR informed us that DCASA was not allowed to bring any further sub committees within the committee. NCR would only be attending to 3 sub committees. Until one had been completed then we could open up a new sub-committee.

9 April 2024 NEC Meeting notes: We highlighted how jumbo loans interfered with DCRS and propositioned BASA along with other creditors to support the initiative to update the Task Team Agreement. Persistence paid off.

By June 2024, the industry finally had enough consensus to announce that the TTA review was officially approved as the 3^rd subcommittee -the first tangible movement in over a decade.
When the Credit Industry Forum reconvened and the National Credit Regulator acknowledged DCASA’s initiative, we knew the groundwork had paid off.

As NCR’s Timmy vd Grijp (who returned to the NCR in late 2024) remarked at the recent 2025 Debt Review Awards Gala:
‘At the instance of DCASA, it was brought forward that we update the Task Team Agreement with whatever happened in the last 15 years.’

Timmy van der Grijp is the kind of public servant this industry needs- a national treasure who does the work. Appointing the right operational leader matters; we’ve seen what steady hands can achieve. If we value reform, we should empower those who have earned it and who know how to act without delay. This country cannot afford more delays.

That acknowledgment Timmy gave, didn’t belong to one name -it belonged to a movement years in the making.

 

 The Fee Conversation

This year, we continued the long-buried discussion on debt counselling fees in a robust discussion at the creditor conference. The Terms of reference for DC Fee Review were provided to us in September 2023- It was first brought up publicly at the DC -CP panel hosted at Nutun offices in August 2023 where DCASA representatives shared their insights- which led to the start of discussions. We were all in agreement- that we needed to talk about the fees.

We believe the proposed staggering of DC fees (which seems aimed to combat rogue elements more than amenable counsellors) would put unwarranted pressure while gravely threatening operational sustainability- especially for the reasonably established practices. It would damage the acquiescent counsellors exponentially more than it would wound criminal elements.

When more than 80% of complaints are regarding “debt review without consent”- attempting to tackle the problem by staggering fees is a contentious point that needed highlighting. The general stance was that this solution proposed of fee staggering would only strangle capable counsellors and motivate rogues to act even more aggressively.

It wasn’t an easy topic, but it’s one that every legitimate counsellor, every PDA, and every creditor ultimately depends on for sustainability. More so than anyone in the industry, the average consumer in South Africa needs to be protected from misleading scams and vague advertising that takes advantage of an already strained financial situation.
When role-players are asking the hard questions again, that’s how you know the pulse is back. There’s a difference between consensus and complacency. Consensus is when we all agree on progress. Complacency is when we avoid discomfort to preserve politeness. The former rebuilds industries; the latter buries them.

Ultimately, DCASA’s main motivation has been and should always be aimed at protecting the consumers, educating them of their rights, balancing the creditors obligations and interests- while creating a sustainable environment for debt counsellors to perform their duties.

 

The Future

The next chapter of debt review reform has to be about clarity, credibility, and compassion -for consumers and for the professionals who serve them.
We’ve done the hard part -waking the machine up. Now we must push to make it ethical, sustainable, and humane.

That means making sure our industry never forgets that every spreadsheet row represents a family trying to breathe. This… should include a debt counsellor and their family too. We hold the line that must be preserved at all costs.

We have a value that adds to this economy- as Tiaan Hattingh from PDASA stated that at the inception of debt review, in that first month- they moved Nine Million Rand from consumers to creditors, while now, it is closer to Two Billion Rand every month. This can be attributed to skilled, professional Debt Counsellors who have gathered the necessary real-world experience to navigate the laws of Debt Review, and the necessary communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills this position requires. Some things cannot be taught; they must be lived.

DCASA is the institution that builds the bridge between legacy, progress, and future refinements. This kind of long-haul reform work burns through adrenaline, then hope, then pure stubborn willpower. DCASA continues towards progress.

And progress doesn’t happen when the loudest voice takes the mic.
It happens when steady hands keep turning the wheel -regardless of who’s watching or clapping. The wheels of justice don’t turn on applause -they turn on persistence.