About These Lenders

Capfin

Capfin is a large personal loan provider in South Africa. The company was started in 2010. It is owned by Pepkor, a big retail company. Capfin works with PEP and Ackermans stores across the country. This means you can apply for a loan at over 2,700 stores.

Capfin offers larger loan sizes than most short-term lenders. Confirm current loan amounts, terms and costs on capfin.co.za. The company is registered with the National Credit Regulator. Their NCR number is NCRCP11812.

Wonga

Wonga started in London in 2007. The company came to South Africa in 2012. Wonga offers small, short-term loans online. They focus on quick approval and fast payment. The company went through problems in the UK and stopped operating there in 2018.

In South Africa, Wonga still operates today. They offer small, short-term loans online — confirm current amounts, terms and costs on wonga.co.za. The company is fully online. There are no branches to visit. Wonga is registered with the National Credit Regulator.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Capfin	Wonga
Minimum Loan	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Maximum Loan (New Customers)	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Maximum Loan (Existing Customers)	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Repayment Terms	6 to 24 months	3 to 6 months
Interest Rate (Maximum)	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Initiation Fee	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Monthly Service Fee	See capfin.co.za	See wonga.co.za
Application Method	Online, SMS, In-store (PEP/Ackermans)	Online only
Approval Time	4-24 hours	Minutes to hours
Money Paid Out	Within 48 hours	Same day to 24 hours
Credit Life Insurance	Yes (included)	Check with lender

✅ Loan Amounts and Repayment Terms

Choose Capfin If You Need:

• A bigger loan amount (check the current maximum on capfin.co.za)
• Longer time to pay back (up to 24 months)
• Lower monthly payments spread over more months
• Help with big expenses like home repairs or education

Choose Wonga If You Need:

• A smaller, short-term loan (check current amounts on wonga.co.za)
• Money very quickly (within hours)
• To pay back quickly (3 to 6 months)
• Help with small emergency costs

⚠️ Interest Rates and Total Costs

Both lenders charge interest and fees within the limits of the National Credit Act. Confirm the current rates, fees and total cost on each lender’s own site before you apply.

This page does not quote interest rates, fees or repayment examples. Use the loan calculator and cost breakdown on capfin.co.za or wonga.co.za to see the exact cost of a loan before you apply.

How to Apply

Capfin Application Methods

Online:

1. Go to www.capfin.co.za
2. Use the loan calculator to choose your amount
3. Click “Apply Now”
4. Fill in your details (takes 5-10 minutes)
5. Upload your documents or let Capfin get them from your bank
6. Wait for approval (4-24 hours)
7. Money arrives in your bank within 48 hours if approved

SMS Application:

1. Send your ID number to 33005
2. Get a reply with instructions
3. A consultant will call you to complete the application

In-Store Application:

1. Visit any PEP or Ackermans store
2. Ask for help with a Capfin loan
3. Bring your ID and payslips
4. Staff will scan your documents
5. You often get an answer before leaving the store

Wonga Application Process

Online Only:

1. Go to www.wonga.co.za
2. Use the sliders to choose loan amount and days needed
3. See the total cost immediately
4. Click “Apply” and create an account
5. Fill in your personal details
6. Connect your bank account using Stitch (secure system)
7. Get instant decision (often within minutes)
8. Money arrives same day or next day if approved

✅ Requirements for Both Lenders

You Must Have:

• South African ID (green book or smart card)
• Age 18 years or older
• Permanent job with regular salary
• Bank account in your name
• Working cell phone number registered in your name
• Minimum monthly income (usually R2,500 or more)

Documents You Need:

• Copy of your South African ID
• Latest 3 months bank statements
• Latest payslip (or proof of income)
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)

They Will Check:

• Your credit record at the credit bureau
• Your bank statements to see income and expenses
• Whether you can afford the monthly payment
• Your payment history with other lenders

🚨 CRITICAL SCAM WARNINGS

Loan scams are very common in South Africa in 2025. Scammers pretend to be from Capfin, Wonga, or other lenders. They steal your money and personal information.

How the Advance Fee Scam Works:

1. You get a call, SMS, or WhatsApp message
2. Person says they’re from Capfin or Wonga
3. They offer you a big loan with low interest
4. They say you’re approved already
5. They ask you to pay an “admin fee” or “processing fee” first
6. You pay the fee (maybe R500 to R3,000)
7. They disappear – no loan, no contact, money gone

Red Flags – How to Spot a Scam:

• They ask for money before giving you the loan
• They promise approval with no credit check
• Interest rates are too low (less than 10%)
• They contact you first – you didn’t apply
• They use WhatsApp or unregistered phone numbers
• They pressure you to pay quickly
• Documents have spelling mistakes or wrong logos
• They ask you to send money to a personal bank account
• Website address is wrong (e.g., wonga.com instead of wonga.co.za)

Real vs Fake Lenders:

Real Lenders Do This	Scammers Do This
Never ask for upfront fees	Always ask for money first
Check your credit record	Say “no credit check needed”
Take 4-24 hours to approve	Say you’re already approved
Use official websites and numbers	Use WhatsApp and mobile numbers
Have NCR registration number	Can’t show NCR registration

Official Contact Details – Use These ONLY:

Capfin Official Contacts:

• Website: www.capfin.co.za
• Phone: 087 354 0000
• SMS: 33005 (send your ID number)
• Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-18:00, Saturday-Sunday 08:00-13:00
• NCR Registration: NCRCP11812

Wonga Official Contacts:

• Website: www.wonga.co.za (NOT .com)
• Check their website for current contact number
• They are registered with the NCR

If You’re Scammed – Do This Immediately:

1. Call your bank immediately – ask them to stop the payment if possible
2. Report to police – get a case number
3. Report to SAFPS – call 083 123 7226 or visit www.yima.org.za
4. Report to NCR – call 0860 627 627 or email complaints@ncr.org.za
5. Tell the real lender – contact Capfin or Wonga to warn them

Which Lender Should You Choose?

Choose Capfin If:

• You need a larger loan than Wonga offers (compare current limits on each site)
• You want to pay back over 12 to 24 months
• You prefer speaking to someone in person
• You live near a PEP or Ackermans store
• You want lower monthly payments (spread over more time)
• You need help uploading documents

Choose Wonga If:

• You need a smaller, short-term amount
• You need money very quickly (same day)
• You can pay back within 3 to 6 months
• You’re comfortable applying online
• You want to pay less total interest (shorter term)
• You’re already a Wonga customer (limits shown in your Wonga account)

Consider Other Options If:

• Your credit score is very good – try banks like Capitec or FNB for lower rates
• You have a savings account – use your own money first (saves interest)
• You need money for bills – contact your service provider for payment plans
• You’re already in debt – speak to a debt counsellor first (call NCR at 0860 627 627)

✅ Your Consumer Rights

The National Credit Act protects you when you borrow money. Here are your rights:

You Have the Right To:

• Clear information – lender must explain everything in simple language
• Affordability check – they must check if you can afford the loan
• Cooling-off period – you can cancel within 5 business days with no penalty
• Early settlement – you can pay off your loan early and save interest
• No harassment – lenders cannot threaten or harass you for payment
• Fair treatment – they cannot discriminate against you

Where to Complain:

National Credit Regulator (NCR):

• Phone: 0860 627 627
• Email: complaints@ncr.org.za
• Website: www.ncr.org.za
• They handle complaints about credit providers

Banking Ombudsman:

• Phone: 0860 800 900
• Website: www.obssa.co.za
• They help with bank-related complaints

SAFPS (Scam Reporting):

• Hotline: 083 123 7226
• Website: www.yima.org.za
• Report all scams here

⚠️ Smart Borrowing Tips

1. Borrow only what you need – don’t take extra money just because they offer it
2. Use the calculator – see the total cost before applying
3. Check if you can afford it – monthly payment must fit in your budget
4. Choose shorter terms if possible – you pay less total interest
5. Read everything before signing – don’t sign if you don’t understand
6. Keep all documents – save copies of your loan agreement
7. Pay on time – late payments cost extra and damage your credit score
8. Pay off early if you can – you’ll save money on interest

Both Capfin and Wonga are registered lenders that follow South African laws. They are safe to use if you follow the official application channels. However, both charge high interest rates – this is normal for short-term loans in South Africa.

Choose Capfin if you need a bigger loan and want more time to pay it back. Their in-store service is helpful if you need personal support.

Choose Wonga if you need a small amount very quickly and can pay it back within a few months.

Most important: Watch out for scams! Never pay money upfront to get a loan. Only apply through official websites or stores. If someone contacts you first offering a loan, it’s probably a scam.

Remember, borrowing money costs money. Only take a loan if you really need it and can afford to pay it back. Your future self will thank you.