Paulvia Shiburi, the owner of PS Debt Management, has found a niche in the tough business world through her company that helps people take control of their finances and break free from debt.
After falling into debt at a young age, she realised how many people lacked the right information about money and decided to start her business in 2018.
It now offers services like debt counselling, budgeting advice and financial education.
As the country celebrates Women’s Month, Shiburi highlights that women also face huge financial challenges.
The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition recently heard that millions of South Africans could not live without credit and were falling further behind on their debt repayments, resulting in over-indebtedness.
The National Credit Regulator also showed that out of the 23 million credit-active consumers in the country, over 42% were considered impaired, meaning that they have been in arrears for three or four months or have judgments against them.
Some of the reasons provided were reckless lending by credit providers, a lack of knowledge and responsibility.
“I want people to understand that being in debt is not the end of their journey. With the right guidance, planning and support, anyone can improve their financial situation and regain control of their lives,” Shiburi said.
As a woman in the finance industry, Shiburi said she had to work hard to prove herself.
“One of the biggest challenges was showing that I’m capable, both professionally and emotionally,” she said.
She is also passionate about helping other women take charge of their money.
“A mistake many women make is not setting financial goals. I always say a man is not a financial plan. Women need to be in control of their own finances. When you have clear goals, it becomes easier to make smart decisions with your money,” she said.
She also encouraged women to work on improving their credit scores by paying on time and never skipping payments.
“Having a good credit score gives you more options and freedom,” she added.
For women who run businesses and are struggling with business debt, Shiburi advises them to focus on cash flow, look for financial support and increase sales.
“Not all debt is bad. Some debt, like a student loan, can help you grow. What matters is how you manage it,” she said.
Her message this Women’s Month is that people should not wait until they have everything figured out.
“Start now. Use what you have and build from there. You don’t need to have all the answers right away, what matters is starting the journey. Growth and confidence come along the way,” she said.
Shiburi believes that too many women delay taking action because they feel unprepared or overwhelmed by their financial situation. She encourages them to take the first step, no matter how small, and trust that progress will follow.
