Keely Goodall31 May 2024 | 8:20

After 30 years of democracy, consumer equality is still far off – Wendy Knowler

Numerous practices in consumer marketplaces take advantage of vulnerable people.

After 30 years of democracy, consumer equality is still far off – Wendy Knowler

Customers shopping at Shoprite. Image: Abigail Javier/EWN

Relebogile Mabotja speaks with Wendy Knowler, a Consumer Journalist.

Listen below.

Wendy Knowler has been tackling consumer abuses since the dawn of democracy.

While things have improved in the last 30 years, the situation is far from perfect.

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New legislation has given consumers more legal protection, but the digital space has made them more vulnerable.

In particular, Knowler says telesales scripts take advantage of vulnerable people in several ways.

For example, people who have not had access to quality education, are not digitally literate, or do not speak English as a first language, can all be unfairly caught out.

“Masses got emancipation from political treachery 30 years ago, but we still have a long way to go with economic stuff.”
– Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

She adds telesales agents often act unfarily, even when not breaking the law.

“It is time the power imbalance shifts to the consumer side.”
– Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.