Debt Review Awards 2026: Winners, Peer Reviews and Gala Highlights

The Debt Review Awards 2026 put peer recognition and industry connections at the centre of a gala streamed from Durbanville, Cape Town, on Friday, October 16. More than 250 people attended in person, while an estimated 10,000 industry viewers watched from homes and office gatherings around the country.

The awards covered several parts of the debt review field, from legal services and credit providers to debt counsellors and supporting businesses. The results offer a snapshot of who received recognition in this year’s associated awards and peer reviews. They don’t, on their own, explain the criteria or provide a complete picture of every organisation’s performance.

A gathering across the industry

Attendees came from across the sector, including NCR and NCT representatives, debt counsellors, credit providers, payment distribution agencies (PDAs), credit bureaus and service providers. The supporting businesses represented fields such as legal services, telecommunications, insurance and software.

The event’s spring-chic dress code brought a lighter note to the professional gathering. One guest even arrived in a kilt. People unable to attend in person joined online, with some workplaces hosting viewing parties so colleagues could follow the programme together.

Refreshments and snacks were available before and after the gala, supported by sponsor donations. That hospitality, alongside the online audience, helped make the event more than a presentation of award results: it gave people working in connected roles a shared occasion to meet and take part.

Speakers and associated awards

Speakers included NCR CEO Mr Otsile Maseng, NCT Chairman Trevor Bailey, CASA Legal & Compliance Officer Leandri De Lange, and Mr Tiaan Hattingh of iPDA, representing PDASA. Their participation reflected the range of organisations and professional roles involved in the debt review process.

Several associated awards were announced during the gala. The honours recognized technology adoption, emerging talent and contributions to the process and the wider industry:

• Slipstream Technology Adoption: DC Experts
• DCCP Rising Star: Justin Govender (Debt Fit)
• DCCP Best Newcomer: Celeste Kelly (Mer Cel Debt Counselling)
• The Nousheen Pore Award: Kendra Neilson
• The ONE | Significant Contribution to the Debt Review Process: Tiaan Hatting
• The ONE | Significant Contribution to the Debt Review Industry: Saishen Krishnan

These categories recognize different kinds of contribution, from adopting technology to supporting the work and development of the sector. The announcement names the recipients, though it doesn’t give further detail about how each award was assessed.

Peer review results across six areas

The peer review period ran from November 2025 through September 2026. Industry members and NCR registrants assessed peers on the opposite side of the industry, and the results were announced at the gala under the oversight of Moore SA.

In the legal category, ODBB Attorneys was recognized as Attorneys for Credit Providers, while De Lange Attorneys (MiLaw) received the Attorneys for Debt Counsellors award.

Credit provider results included a Most Improved certificate for Capitec Bank. The category winners were Colecta (Unifi) for Short Term, Consumer Friend for Retail & Recoveries, Old Mutual (OMF) for Large Non Bank, Standard Bank for Vehicle Finance, ABSA for Bank (unsecured), and Standard Bank for Bank (Secured).

Debt counsellor awards were divided by practice size or reach. Tielman Flischman (NCRDC633) of Flischman Debt Counsellors received the Boutique award; Gaynor Els (NCRDC1346) of Debt Smart Debt Counselling Services won Small; Gauteng Debt Counselling was named in Medium; and PayPlan Solutions received Medium Plus. DCGsa won Large, DC Experts won National, and DebtBusters won National Plus.

The categories span different kinds of organisations and sizes, so the results are best read within each category. The full list, including the Top 5, highest-rated entries and sponsored awards, is available at debtreviewawards.co.za.

More event coverage

Further coverage was planned for debtfreedigi.co.za in the days after the gala, with a feature in that month’s Debtfree Magazine expected near the end of the month. The magazine feature was set to include photographs from the event and a cover surprise.

The awards brought together people from across debt review and highlighted both peer-reviewed results and individual contributions. For readers following the sector, the category lists provide a useful record of this year’s recognition, while the wider event shows how many different roles connect in the debt review process.