Loans disclosure: we compare, lenders decide
Mzansi Hub is not a lender or a credit provider. We compare loan offers independently, our links to lenders are affiliate links, and only the lender decides whether to grant you credit. Borrowing costs money, so read this before you apply.
Is Mzansi Hub a lender?
No. We do not lend money, take loan applications, assess affordability or make credit decisions. We describe the offers of three lenders using the details from their offer cards and explain how to compare them.
When you click Check the offer, you leave our site and go to the lender’s own application journey. From that point the application, the quote and the agreement are between you and the lender.
Are the links to lenders affiliate links?
Yes. If you follow a link from our lender pages and the lender later pays for a customer it receives through that link, Mzansi Hub may earn a commission. It does not change what you are offered or what the loan costs you. Lender links carry the rel=sponsored attribute, and the wider picture is explained on our advertising disclosure page.
Who decides whether I get a loan?
The lender does, after its own assessment. An offer shown on our page, whether it describes a loan range, a term or an interest rate, is the provider’s description of what it offers. It is not an approval, and the rate or amount you are given depends on the lender’s assessment and is shown in your quote.
Where a lender makes claims about speed or approvals, we word them as the provider’s own statements.
What does borrowing really cost?
Every loan costs money. Beyond the amount you borrow, there can be interest, initiation and service fees and charges if you pay late. Short terms can make the monthly figures look small while the cost over the whole loan is large for the amount borrowed.
Before you accept anything, ask for the full quote in writing and make sure you can see the total you will repay and the date each payment is due. If you cannot afford the repayment, do not borrow.
How do I check that a lender is registered?
In South Africa, credit providers must be registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR). A lender may tell you that it is registered, and you should still verify the registration yourself on the NCR’s website before you share personal details or sign.
Our guide on checking that a lender is NCR registered walks you through it step by step.
Should I ever pay a fee before I receive a loan?
Be very cautious. As a principle, a reputable credit provider does not ask you to pay an advance fee into a personal account before it lends to you. If anyone asks for money upfront to release a loan, stop and check with the NCR before you pay anything.
Never share your PIN, one-time passwords or online banking logins with a lender, an agent or anyone calling you.
How can I borrow responsibly?
Responsible borrowing starts with a clear look at your budget. Borrow only what you can repay on time, compare more than one offer, read the agreement fully and keep a copy.
If repayments become difficult, speak to your lender early rather than late, and read our guide on what to do if you cannot repay a loan. Our loan pages and guides give general information, not financial advice.
- Compare more than one offer and look at the total cost
- Check NCR registration yourself
- Read the whole agreement before you sign
- Never pay a fee upfront to release a loan
- Borrow only what you can repay
Frequently asked questions
Does Mzansi Hub approve loans?
No. Only the lender decides whether to grant credit. We describe offers and help you compare them.
Do I pay Mzansi Hub anything if I take a loan?
No. You pay nothing to us. Any commission we earn is paid by the lender or the network and is not added to your loan.
Where can I check if a lender is registered?
Use the National Credit Regulator’s website to check the registration yourself before you apply.