Sherpa Debt Counselling

19/08/2026

CAN THE BANK JUST COME AND TAKE MY CAR?

If you are behind on your vehicle payments, you may be worried about repossession. Do not assume that anyone who arrives at your door has an automatic right to take your vehicle.

Before handing over the keys, ask:

▶Are you a sheriff or a private repossession agent?
▶ Has summons been issued or has judgement been granted?
▶ Is there a court order or warrant authorising the repossession?
▶ Am I being asked to voluntarily surrender my vehicle?

Do NOT sign a voluntary surrender agreement without understanding the consequences.

If you receive a Section 129 notice, summons or other legal document from your bank, do NOT ignore it. You may have options depending on your circumstances.

Remember, being in arrears does not mean you should act out of fear or pressure.

Know what stage your account is at. Understand your rights. Consider your options.

Worried about vehicle repossession? Contact me for guidance.

Yolanda - Sherpa Debt Counselling
BLC BProc LLB
NCRDC3462

29/07/2026

Ons is verby halfpad deur die jaar!

Dis die ideale tyd vir ’n hersiening van jou jaarlikse begroting:
🔹 Hou jy by jou begroting?
🔹 Het jou uitgawes verander?
🔹 Is jy nader aan jou finansiële doelwitte?

As jy sukkel — moenie stres nie. Sherpa is hier om jou te help.
Bespreek vandag nog jou gratis begrotingsbeplanning sessie.

02/07/2026

4 Algemene Mites Oor Skuldberading – En Die Waarheid Wat Jy Moet Weet

Skuldberading het reeds duisende Suid-Afrikaners gehelp om weer beheer oor hul finansies te neem, maar daar is steeds baie wanopvattings wat mense verhinder om die hulp te kry wat hulle nodig het.

Kom ons skei feite van fiksie.

🚩 Mite 1: "Skuldberading is ’n bedrogspul."
✅Die Waarheid: Skuldhersiening is ’n wettige proses wat deur die Nasionale Kredietwet gereguleer word.

'n Geregistreerde skuldberader assesseer jou finansiële situasie, onderhandel met al jou krediteure om jou maandelikse paaiemente meer bekostigbaar te maak en beskerm jou teen regsaksie.

Bevestig deur die NCR se webtuiste dat jou skuldberader geregistreer is.

🚩Mite 2: "Jy bly vir ewig onder Skuldberading."
✅Die Waarheid: Jy bly slegs onder skuldhersiening totdat die skuld wat ingesluit is in die hofbevel terugbetaal is (uitgesluit jou huisverband).

Die tydperk hang af van die totale skuld, die rente en geld beskikbaar vir terugbetaling. Die termyn word verleng en die rente verminder om ‘n bekostigbare terugbetalingsplan te bewerkstellig.

Duisende Suid-Afrikaners het sedert 2007 reeds skuldhersiening suksesvol voltooi.

🚩Mite 3: "Dit vernietig jou kredietrekord"
✅Die Waarheid: Nadat skuldberading suksesvol voltooi is, word die skuldhersieningsaantekening verwyder van jou kredietrekord.

Sodra verwyder, verskyn daar geen geskiedenis van skuldberading op jou kredietrekord nie.
Jou maandelikse betalings verskyn wel op jou kredietrekord en verbeter jou krediettelling.
Verbruikers herbou dus hul kredietprofiel en kwalifiseer weer vir krediet, sodra hulle die proses suksesvol voltooi het.

🚩Mite 4: "Jy kan nie Skuldberading bekostig nie"
✅Die Waarheid: Skuldberadingsfooie word voorgestel deur die Nasionale Kredietreguleerder.

Skuldberadingsfooie word nie vooruit betaal nie. Die skuldberader se fooie word in gevolge wetgewing gedek deur jou eerste twee maandelikse terugbetalings.

Die verbruiker benodig dus geen fondse om onder skuldberading te gaan nie.

Moet dus nie toelaat dat mites jou keer om jou opsies te ondersoek nie.

Skuldberading help jou om 'n realistiese plan te hê, sodat jy jou skuld kan terugbetaal, terwyl jy jou eiendom, voertuie en finansiële toekoms beskerm.

Kontak Yolanda by Sherpa Skuldberading vir ’n gratis, vertroulike assessering.
Geen oordeel nie. Net leiding.

17/06/2026

How do you know when debt is becoming unmanageable?

Financial pressure often starts with small warning signs that are easy to ignore:

✓ Struggling to keep up with repayments
✓ Using credit for everyday essentials
✓ Cancelling insurance or medical aid to make ends meet
✓ Constant financial stress and worry

The reality is that financial pressure rarely improves without a plan.

The earlier you take action, the more options you may have available to regain control of your finances.

At Sherpa Debt Counselling, we help South Africans navigate financial challenges with practical guidance, financial coaching, debt counselling solutions and a clear path forward.

📩 Message Sherpa today for guidance on your credit report, budget planning and a financial assessment, to enable you to make informed decisions about your financial future.

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

DO NOT BE SCAMMED OR MISLED BY "DEBT REVIEW" OR "PAYMENT REDUCTION" SCAMS.

With millions of consumers under financial pressure, scammers and unethical companies are increasingly targeting people looking for debt relief.

What do consumers need to know:

• The NCR will never give companies your personal information
• Debt review is a voluntary legal process and you must apply by completing and signing a debt review application form (Form 16)
• DC Fees are regulated. Why would you choose a faceless stranger when you can work with an experienced, transparent debt counsellor in person, at the same cost.

A large number of complaints involve consumers being placed under debt review without their knowledge or consent.

🚩 RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR:

❌ You receive an unsolicited cold call offering lower instalments and interest
❌ They claim to “work with” the NCR, government or the banks
❌ They already know your debt balances or personal financial details
❌ They pressure you to decide immediately and to sign forms or documents.
❌ They promise a fixed repayment reduction before any assessment
❌ They advertise “debt elimination” or “wiping your debt”
❌They are vague when questioned if the offering is consolidation or debt review and use words like debt 'reconsolidation'
❌ They ask for money upfront or direct payments to personal/company accounts
❌ They avoid giving a NCR registration number

✅ HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

✔️ Obtain the Debt Counsellor’s NCR registration number and verify on the NCR website
✔️ Be cautious of Facebook and social media “debt relief” adverts that sound too good to be true
✔️ Regularly check your credit profile for unauthorised activity
✔️ The golden rule: NEVER sign any documents or forms without reading the entire document and fully understanding the content. Ask the necessary questions before signing and take time if you need to do further research or consider your options.

If you did not apply for debt review or suspect fraud, contact the NCR.

Let’s keep unethical operators from bringing the industry into disrepute.

If you have any questions about debt review, drop it in the comments.

18/05/2026

Many people confuse debt consolidation with debt review.

Here is the difference:

Debt Consolidation
• Combine debts into one NEW loan with one Credit Provider
• Interest rate may be higher than on some separate accounts and extended term
• Usually requires a good credit score and you must be able to afford new instalment

Debt Review
• Payment is collected in one instalment and distributed to each of your Credit Providers
• Debt Counsellor negotiates reduced instalments and reduced interest rates with Creditors
• A legal process under the National Credit Act. You are protected against legal action.

Understanding your options is the first step toward financial stability. If you require assistance to decide what is the best option for you, contact us at Sherpa

29/04/2026

From Overwhelmed to In Control.

Meet one of our clients, a retired schoolteacher who found herself under financial pressure after years of trying to keep up with rising costs.

Her Situation:
Total Debt: R188,174.58
Total Monthly Repayments: R9,918.41
Interest Rate (Personal Loan): 27.50%

Despite her best efforts…
❌ The repayments were no longer affordable
❌ The interest kept her stuck in a cycle

How We Helped:
Through structured debt counselling and negotiation, we:
✔ Restructured her repayment plan
✔ Negotiated reduced interest rates with credit providers
✔ Created a sustainable monthly budget

The Outcome:
New Total Monthly Repayment: R4,849.53
(Including all fees & credit life insurance)
📉 Interest Rate Reduced to: 4.60%

💡 What This Means:
✔ Affordable monthly repayments
✔ Protection of her assets
✔ A clear, structured path to becoming debt-free

❤️ The Bigger Picture. This is not just about numbers.
It’s about:
✔ Peace of mind
✔ Dignity in retirement
✔ Taking back control

🧗‍♀️ Your Journey Matters Too
If your debt feels overwhelming, you are not alone and there is a way forward.

📩 Send us a message for confidential guidance.
No judgment. Just a plan.

02/04/2026

Can you exit Debt Review?

Debt Review is designed to protect you and guide you out of debt, not trap you.
But many people feel confused about when and how they can exit.

Let’s break it down simply:

1. You can exit when all your debt is paid off (excluding your bond)

Once all your debt is settled:

✔ Your Debt Counsellor on record issues a Clearance Certificate
✔ Credit bureaus remove the Debt Review flag
✔ You can access credit again
There is no additional cost, this is already included in your aftercare fees.

Importantly: There is no negative history that reflects that you have been under Debt Review.

2. Your situation improves AFTER your debt counsellor declares you over indebted but BEFORE a debt review court order has been obtained by your debt counsellor

If your financial situation changes early in the process and you are no longer over-indebted:

✔ You can apply to court to be declared no longer over-indebted
✔ Once approved, at the court's discretion, the Debt Review flag is removed

⚠️ This requires a formal court application by an attorney
💰 This option involves substantial added legal costs

Once a court has officially declared you overindebted and a debt review court order is granted, you CANNOT exit Debt Review before ALL your debt is paid off (excluding Bond).

This is where many people get misled. Beware of Debt Review Removal Scams.

These are scams that:

❌ Leave you exposed to legal action
❌ Damage your financial recovery
❌ Cost you thousands unnecessarily

Always ensure that you ONLY deal with:

1. a qualified Debt Counsellor, registered at the National Credit Regulator https://www.ncr.org.za/register_of_registrants/registered_dc.php
and/or
2. An attorney enrolled at the Legal Practise Counsel
https://lpc.org.za/members-of-the-public/list-of-legal-practitioners/

Debt Review is not a trap, it’s a structured path to financial freedom.

The goal is not to exit early.
The goal is to exit strong, stable and debt-free.

If you’re unsure about your situation or feel stuck:

📩 Contact us for confidential guidance

No judgment. Just clear, honest advice.

26/03/2026

Your DTI is an important Financial Health Indicator.

How did you measure:

🟢 0% – 30%
Healthy
You are managing debt well

🟡 31% – 40%
Caution
Debt is starting to take pressure

🔴 41% – 50%
High Risk
You may struggle if anything changes

⚫ 50%+
Critical
Debt is likely unsustainable

In South Africa a typical household has a DTI of around 62%.

Although DTI is a good indicator of your financial health, it does not consider your living expenses.

That is why someone can have:
✔ “acceptable” DTI
❌ But still be financially stressed

👉 This is where your Debt Stress Score becomes powerful. Download our Budget Clarity Checklist to see how you measure. https://sherpadebtcounselling.lovable.app/basecamp