Meerkat

About Us

Meerkat was founded in 2016 and is a new generation financial wellness company committed to making a real difference in the financial lives of our customers

We are on a mission to help South Africans do more with their money. We have developed simple solutions with savings at the heart of all. We help consumers gradually reduce their reliance on debt and improve their financial health.

Meerkat is a BEE Level 2, black owned EME. All staff members participate in the ownership of the business. We have a national footprint and we’re the preferred debt counselling partner for Alexander Forbes.

Our founder David O’Brien is a registered debt counsellor (NCRDC2613) and Meerkat is a registered financial services provider (FSP46535)

Since opening our doors in September 2016, Meerkat have changed thousands of lives by reducing debt repayments, protecting assets and providing more affordable credit life cover.

Our solutions are simple, cost-effective and tailor made. Each solution looks to generate savings for our clients. These small savings if nurtured, can make a difference when life presents the next emergency.

This positive savings balance can reduce the dependence on debt for consumption, which in turn can free up further budgetary capacity to move the consumer on the virtuous path of saving.

We believe that a lack of access to financial products and financial education has been one of the main barriers. South Africa has a first world sophisticated financial services market, which has produced global innovations such as critical illness insurance. However, for the average South African living in a rural area, these products are inaccessible - both geographically and financially.

Our business aims to address these issues and provide financial services to those previously deemed the bottom of the pyramid. We use vernacular communications and digital platforms that not only reduce the cost to serve but can reach as deep into the rural areas as cell phone providers.

We have seen in our work in debt counselling, that debt does not discriminate, you can be struggling with debts if you are middle class or blue collar. We believe the same is true for savings. Savings are not just for the affluent. CK Prahalad was right - there is indeed a savings market at the bottom of the pyramid in South Africa.

Awards & recognition

Winner, African Insurance Innovation at The Digital Insurer Global Livefest 2018

A Sage/Cape Talk,Small Business Awards Finalist

Selected by Catalyst Fund as part of their inclusive Fintech Startups Portfolio 2020.

Stories:

Aletta is a domestic worker in Cape Town. She was struggling each month to make her debt repayments and put food on the table for her kids. She came to Meerkat in need of help. We reviewed her budget and found that she was over-indebted. We negotiated reduction in payments with all her creditors and provided her with a more affordable reduced repayment. Many of the interest rates were also reduced. With the affordability Aletta had left we were able to set aside a small % into our simple savings plan. Not only was Aletta well on her to becoming debt-free but the savings she was accumulating provided a cushion for any of life’s emergencies.

Claudia started saving in the Meerkat savings plan. She was unfortunately advised that she needed to have a rather costly medical procedure. With no medical insurance she was unable to cover the cost. Then she remembered her Meerkat savings account. Within minutes her savings were paid into her account with no penalty for withdrawing and she was able to go ahead with the much-needed procedure.

Contact Details

Meerkat tel: 021 003 4535

Meerkat email: info@meerkat.co.za

Meerkat website: www.meerkat.co.za

Meerkat address: 203, Pine Park, 1 Logan Way, Pinelands , Cape Town.

Social Media:

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Meerkat Blog

Customer testimonials

Here are some of our customer testimonials:

“I don’t know what I would have done without the Meerkat team, thank you for always looking out for me”
“Thank you, Meerkat, you are a God send.
“Thank you so much, do you know how great it feels to be free from debt-problems, I can’t wait to me debt-free”
“Thank you, Meerkat. I now have financial relief and can save some money”
“Thank you, Meerkat, you have helped me so much. I now have peace of mind and am left with more money each month. I can pay for my children’s transport and buy electricity. Thank you so much may our God richly bless you. “

News

Meerkat aims to improve the financial health of South Africans