The office of the Credit Ombud’s annual results show that youth accounted for 39 percent of 5 878 disputes opened in the office during 2013. Youth includes all consumers between the ages of 18 and 35 who knocked on the office’s doors for assistance with their complaints.
This is according to Credit Ombud Manie van Schalkwyk, who says on the one hand it is encouraging to see that the youth are taking control of their credit problems and seeking help, but on the other, it is somewhat troubling to find that such a high number are already facing credit related challenges at such a young age.
The month of June is traditionally Youth Month in South Africa and highlights all youth related issues. This year marks the 38th anniversary since the historical 1976 uprising, with this year’s theme being ‘Youth Moving South Africa Forward’.
