Why I Became a Debt Counsellor
By Bernidene Thieroff - NCRDC764
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of running my own business. But even more than that, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people — to be a light in someone’s dark moment. Today, as a registered debt counsellor, I know this path was never just my own idea — it’s part of the beautiful story that God has written for my life.
There were seasons in my journey marked by heartache and disappointment. Like many others, I faced moments where dreams seemed out of reach. When I couldn’t complete my studies, it felt like a dead end. But God had another plan — one I couldn’t yet see. He opened a new door: the opportunity to become a registered debt counsellor. In that moment, He brought together two dreams I held in my heart — owning a business and serving others — and I knew He was weaving purpose into my path.
Looking back, I can see His fingerprints all over this journey. Years before I even knew what debt counselling was, I received a prophetic word: that I would be used to help others in need — to be a vessel of hope. That word has come to life through the work we do at The CS Group.
Here, we don’t just manage numbers. We speak life into situations that feel hopeless. We walk alongside clients who feel like they’ve reached the end, and we remind them that there’s still a future. We help carry the weight when finances feel overwhelming. It’s not just about debt — it’s about dignity, healing, and restoration.
This dream also lives on in honour of someone very special — my late mother, Jenny De Wet. She was, and still is, my greatest inspiration. A true Proverbs 31 woman, she showed me what it means to work with integrity, to lead with love, and to honour God in all things. I grew up watching her build our family and her business with strength and grace. Because of her, I wanted to become a woman who walks in faith, builds with purpose, and leads with a heart that reflects Christ.
Being a business owner hasn’t always been easy. There have been tough days — and even tougher decisions. But through it all, God has been faithful. We’ve seen miracles, favour, and breakthrough — things that make no sense to the world, but make perfect sense in His kingdom. Where others might say it was luck, I know it was God.
I truly believe that debt is one of the great forms of slavery in today’s world. But we were not created to live in bondage. We were made to live in freedom — and that’s what we’re here to offer: hope, help, and a way forward.
At The CS Group, we’re not just running a business. We’re answering a calling — to help others step into financial freedom, emotional healing, and renewed hope.
