September 2020 IDM Special Edition

The next international speaker was from the UK, Mr Sean
Fest (of Credit Management) who shared how things are
working there. He explained how their regulation and
Regulators work and how, surprisingly many consumers
have been using the time during lockdown to settle up
their debts, while slashing their monthly expenses. He
did warn however that a wave of consumers will soon
be entering debt review over there as the banks’ grace
periods and government assistance comes to an end.
From across the border in Namibia, Mr Salmao lipinge spoke about how
debt review is finally starting to get recognized there. It has not been
an easy journey but consumers there really need a lot of assistance. He
praised the local Regulator for their active role in helping consumers and
mentioned many fine developments which are helping consumers deal
with the results of the pandemic.
Mr Russell Dickerson of the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa
spoke to the guests and encouraged everyone to be positive people who
were making the best use of online resources. He promised that after
the long drought (of lockdown) the summer rains of new applications for
help were finally on their way.