Language Policy

FOSCHINI RETAIL GROUP (PTY) LTD’S (“FOSCHINI”) LANGUAGE POLICY IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL CREDIT ACT (“NCA”) - NCRCP36 

INTRODUCTION
 

There are approximately 25 different languages spoken in South Africa, of which 12 have been granted official status in terms of Section 6 of the Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996), on the grounds that their usage includes about 98% of the total population. The 12 official languages are isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Siswati (referred to as the Nguni language group); Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana (referred to as the Sotho language group); Tshivenda, Xitsonga, English and Afrikaans and sign language. 

This policy sets out Foschini’s compliance with the language policy requirements of the NCA. 

1. Trading divisions 

Foschini trades in the following brand names: 

@home, American Swiss, Archive, Coricraft, Dial-a-Bed, Exact, Fabiani, Foschini, Galaxy & Co, Granny Goose, G-Star Raw, Hi, JD Sports, Jet, Jet Home, Markham, The FIX, Relay Jeans, RFO, Sneaker Factory, Sportscene, Sterns, The Bed Store, Totalsports and Volpes. 

These brands trade in over 4000 branches and are geographically represented throughout South Africa. In every region of South Africa, Foschini customers have access to store staff that can speak the language in that particular region. 

Both our head office and credit division are situated in Cape Town. The credit division has a call centre which is predominately staffed by persons emanating from the Western Cape, speaking English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa and isiZulu. 

2. Geographical concentration 

We have determined that the geographical concentration of our stores is as follows: Gauteng (29%), Western Cape (17%) and KwaZulu-Natal (14%) and the remaining 40% are spread throughout South Africa. The languages spoken in these regions, and by our customers in these regions, include isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English.

3. Right to receive document in official language 

Section 63(1) of the NCA, states that customers have the right to receive any credit document that is required in terms of the Act in an official language that the consumer reads or understands, to the extent that it is reasonable having regard to usage, practicality, expense, regional circumstances and the balance of the need and preference of the population ordinarily served by the person required to deliver that document. 

To comply with the above-mentioned section, and to ensure we provide the best customer experience, our credit documents are currently available in five official languages which are represented throughout the country, namely English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Sesotho. 

4. Foschini’s language policy 

Our previous language policy, approved by the NCR, set out that we make the required documents available in four official languages namely English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and Sesotho and offer the customer the opportunity to choose in which of these languages s/he wishes to receive such documents. 

However, further analysis revealed that to effectively serve the broadest consumer market and maintain a consumer-centric approach, we have added an additional language to our translated documents—namely isiZulu. 

Section 63(3) of the NCA, allows us to either propose that the official languages are used throughout South Africa or different languages may be used in different parts of South Africa. We will be using these five official languages throughout South Africa: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Sesotho. 

Further, section 63(4) of the NCA, states that the NCR must review this proposal "having regard to usage, practicality, expense, regional circumstances and the balance of the needs and preferences of the population ordinarily served by the person making the proposal". 

We submit that, for reasons of practicality, expense, regional circumstances and the balance of the needs and preferences of the population ordinarily served by the person, that the proposal that we are making is the best possible proposal for our business at this time. 

As it is impractical for us to provide the required documents in all 12 official languages, for reasons of expense, practicality, logistics and systems support amongst others, we will be providing the documents in the above-mentioned five official languages at this time. 

5. Documents translated 

We offer customers a revolving credit called the TFG Money Account. 

The following documents have been translated into the five languages mentioned above and are available for customers: 

• Pre-Agreement Statement and Quotation 
• Credit Agreement 
• Terms and conditions 
• Insurance disclosure Key Insurance Disclosure 

JANE FISHER 

Group Director: TFG Financial Services Credit Management 

Reviewed by Legal and Compliance 

April 2025