The Debt Dude

05/09/2025

I’m a huge advocate for the debt management vehicle known as ‘Debt Review’…

Provided, it is applied by an NCR registered debt counsellor, and the client actually meets the criteria for this debt rearrangement mechanism.

However, it’s sad that banks are starting to send their clients messages like this, as a result of unscrupulous debt management companies, who are now deliberately misleading and trying to coerce consumers into applying for the formal debt restructuring process, even if they DO NOT NEED IT!!

Please ensure you ask relevant questions and under no circumstances do you sign any documents or give any consent via whatsapp, email or over the phone, if you are NOT 100% clear on the process and more importantly, HOW IT IS GOING TO IMPACT YOU!!

The ‘Debt Counselling’ process is NOT a RUSHED one, but where an NCR debt specialists takes his/her time in finding out about your circumstances, which is where you were, where you are now (struggling financially) and how you got to be in this position…

Once the NCR debt specialist has this information, he/she will then advise (NOT COERCE OR HARD SELL) you on what they believe is the best way forward for you, after having given you the pros and cons of the process.

They will then leave you with the decision to make, not HARD SELL YOU!!

20/08/2025

Beware of ‘Debt Review Removal’ companies…

Over the last couple of years I’ve seen many posts and especially ads on social media from companies promising that they can remove the debt review flag from a consumers profile/name.

This in and of itself is already a huge red flag for so many reasons…

Firstly, if done correctly and responsibly, and applied to consumers who meet the criteria for debt review, it is a wonderful debt management mechanism which helps hundreds of thousands of South African consumers, past and present, struggling to pay their debt, for whatever reason.

Yes, there are many cases of irresponsible debt counselling practises, but then again, there are just as many consumers who try and take advantage of the system, and I believe this is where some of the problems come into play.

If you have assets such as a house and car that you are struggling to pay, along with a huge amount of unsecured debt (basically everything else other than a bond or vehicle finance, but from an NCR registered credit provider) then you meet the criteria to have your debt formally restructured through the debt review process.

This can only be prescribed by an NCR registered ‘Debt Counsellor’ with a valid NCRDC number.

The debt counsellor will have had a debt counselling session with you, whereby he or she finds you to be over-indebted and after you have been thoroughly explained and informed as to how the process works and will impact you, the work begins.

There are only four main scenarios where the debt review flag can be removed from a consumer's credit profile, and it is as follows:

1. The consumer completes their natural term

Depending on the term, whether 12, 24, 36 or 60 months, the consumer makes monthly instalments towards their debt and once their term has ended, the debt counsellor issues what is called a clearance certificate.

The clearance certificate along with all the accounts paid up letters are sent off the the consumer, as well as to the NCR.

The NCR then verifies that the consumer is now completely debt free and then instructs the credit bureaus to update the consumers profile by removing the debt review flag from their credit profile.

This process takes 21 business days, after which the consumer can apply for and responsibly make use of credit again.

2. The consumer comes into a lump some of money and settles their debt before their determined term

It is common for consumers to come into lump sums of money, via an inheritance, or the sale of a property for example.

They can then contact their debt counsellor and request settlement letters as they have decided to pay up their debt prematurely, based on their expected term, which is obviously a good thing!!

This is always a great idea as the consumer ends up saving money in the long run, due to bypassing some of the remaining interest on their respective accounts.

Again, once the debt is settled earlier than expected, the same process applies whereby the debt counsellor issues the consumer with a clearance certificate and the NCR is notified, who then in turn instructs the credit bureaus to update the consumers credit profile, and after 21 business days, the consumer can apply for credit again.

3. Your debt counsellor is no longer actively operating / in business

If you have successfully paid off all of your debt and have all of your documentation to prove that you are now debt free, such as all of your ‘paid up’ letters, but cannot get hold of your current debt counsellor for some or other reason.

It is within your rights to approach another debt counsellor to assist you with this.

Johan has helped many clients over the years who were in this exact situation, and he will gladly assist you in getting your clearance, provided all your documentation is in order as stated above.

The fee for a clearance certificate is regulated and very affordable, if you need this service.

You can simply reach out to us, and we will gladly help you if you find yourself in this precarious position.

4. The consumers financial circumstances drastically change for the better, and they are now no longer over indebted

I often explain to my clients when they are starting the process that in the beginning stages, that is the worst their financial situation will be, and hopefully, it only gets better from there.

For example, as time goes by, they will get increases, bonuses, and promotions. Some will even apply for new jobs and start earning higher salaries.

This positive change in financial circumstances can lead to the consumer being in a position, where they are now, no longer over-indebted.

It is during this stage where the consumer can opt to try and have the debt review flag removed.

In this scenario, an attorney will need to be used, whereby the attorney will appeal to a magistrate's court to have the ‘debt review’ court order rescinded and provide sufficient evidence that the consumer is no longer over indebted, and can comfortably afford the required monthly repayments.
Please bear in mind that the NCR works on guidelines…

So what this means (as explained to me by a debt specialist attorney who actually deals with these types of scenarios) is that there are no guarantees, however, if a strong case is made where there is sufficient evidence, and the consumers is wanting to act in good faith, the rescinding of the debt review court order is granted and the consumer then prematurely exits debt review.

This service naturally does come at a cost and can vary between attorneys.
I do advise that you make use of a debt specialist (especially one who is familiar with the debt review process) attorney, as this can save you a lot of time, delays and more importantly, money…

Please bear in mind that this is simply a high-level explanation of how the process actually works, but it gives you the gist of the only scenarios where you can have the debt review flag removed off your credit profile/name.

I have been approached by many consumers who were defrauded by companies promising to remove the debt review flag, only for them to never hear from that company again and to sadly part ways with their hard-earned money.

So please be very cautious of any company who has any other information contrary to the above and especially if they are charging you excessive fees to render that service.

We are always here to help, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us and one of our trusted debt specialists will get back to you.

24/07/2025

21/05/2025

Perspective...

20/05/2025

I’ve decided to lay Exonerate to rest and rebrand myself as The Debt Dude.

This new name better reflects who I am and what I stand for. I aspire to be the go-to guy when it comes to all things debt, debt management, and financial health.

This page will be dedicated to promoting the financial well-being of South African consumers. I’ll also be expanding my horizons into broader financial areas—such as business debt and learning how to leverage debt effectively.

Since 2015, I’ve been helping people regain their financial independence—and that mission remains unchanged.

Now, I’m taking it a step further by also focusing on the other side of the spectrum…

The journey towards financial freedom.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. 🙏🏻

I look forward to bringing you tremendous value and making a real difference in your life—whether you're struggling with debt, trying to pick up a new skill that can make you more money, or unsure how or where to invest your hard-earned money.

Having experienced significant financial loss with my family growing up, I’ve developed a deep passion for helping those who are struggling—because I know exactly what it feels like to lose everything... more than once.

Now, I’m simply merging that passion with my love for finance. This page is for those who are currently struggling financially, and for those—like me—who are striving toward the ultimate goal:

Financial freedom. 🙌🏻

15/04/2025

Please be aware of the following when you see companies that promise to be able to remove you from 'Debt Review'...

17/03/2025

Reap people... Real problems... Real solutions...
Your trusted and respected debt specialists!!

20/02/2025

It has come to my attention that certain debt management companies are now calling consumers and informing them that they can reduce their interest and monthly repayments on their accounts.

Once the consumer agrees to this, they find out that they have been placed under debt review, even though they are not over-indebted.

These companies are not being transparent and are coercing consumers with the angle that they can save them money.

Although this is a principle applied for over-indebted consumers in the legal debt review process under the National Credit Act, this is only for consumers who meet the criteria and agree to go ahead with the process.

This is false, misleading and bad practise.

Please be alert if you receive any form of communication from companies claiming to reduce your interest and debt repayments. This cannot be done under the NCA without legally restructuring your debt.

29/01/2025

This morning one of my clients called me and said he felt the need to make another video for me to post to our community, as he felt there is such a lack of authenticity, genuine customers service, and not to mention so many misconceptions in and around the process of 'Debt Review'.

Here you can hear an honest view of what it's like working with us and the process of the much misunderstood debt rearrangement mechanism called 'Debt Review'.

07/01/2025

Debt Counsellors fulfill a few roles but one of the most important role is giving an after care service which includes:

- Ensuring a clients payments are successfully and accurately distributed to all relevant stakeholders each month
- Dealing with legal matters pertaining to a clients accounts
- Ensuring our clients are not being harassed by creditors or attorneys
- Providing statements and ensuring that clients have a snapshot of the progress they are making
- Attending to any and all queries pertaining to their debt

Just to name a few...

Sadly, many clients get the greatest service, until after they have made their first payment.

Then it's sadly all downhill from there.

They often struggle to get hold of the person they spoke too, not having their calls, emails or even whatsapp messages replied too.

If you are not happy with your current Debt Counsellor, please know that at any moment, you can exercise your consumer rights to change over and legally transfer to a different Debt Counsellor that can give you the service that you not only deserve, but are actually paying for.