South African human rights group, the Black Sash is running a consumer protection campaign – “Keep The Festive Season Festive! Know Your Credit Status, Know Your Rights!” this December. The campaign is to help vulnerable South Africans struggling to cope in the current economic climate of high interest rates and inflation, rising food, fuel and utility costs and harder-to-get credit.

In partnership with the Credit Bureau Association, the Black Sash is providing free rights education, advice and credit reports during the first two weeks of December to communities where they have regional offices: Cape Town, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg.

The organisation has set up mobile advice and service units to provide easy access to vulnerable consumers who would like a free copy of their credit report or who need help with debt and credit related problems.

The campaign was launched in Cape Town on 4 December 2008 at a national conference to advocate for legislation and policy that promotes consumer protection. The Black Sash has also released the second edition of its highly regarded book, <I>Debt and Credit: A reference guide for paralegals.</I>

Black Sash National Director, Marcella Naidoo, speaking at the launch, said: “We want to make an extra special effort to help vulnerable consumers this festive season .. as this year has been a particularly tough one with rocketing interest rates and inflation, rising food, fuel and utility costs and harder-to-get credit.”

Useful links:

Rights education fact sheet – You and Credit

Rights education fact sheet – You and the Credit Bureau

Download the 2nd edition of Debt and Credit: A reference guide for paralegals, revised December 2008