Preventing Reckless and Predatory Lending, Particularly to the most Vulnerable in Society: An Innovative and Strongly Consumer Centric Approach from South Africa

This session will analyse the South African National Credit Act, enacted to combat reckless and predatory lending. Overall, a highly progressive regime, aimed squarely at protecting the most vulnerable financial consumers, of which there are many (due to low levels of income, education and literacy). The South African legislation is, in many respects, ground-breaking, and has been widely acknowledged as, among other things, having protected the South African financial system from the ravages of the global financial crisis. The South African legislation is, therefore, of significance not only for consumer protection, but for overall financial system stability as well. Included will be some comparative analysis with the Australian regime.