The Remi blog

Running a front desk in South Africa.

What things actually cost, what the law allows, and what the research says — written for South African service businesses, with the sources shown.

Can a South African practice charge for a no-show? What the law actually says

The Consumer Protection Act allows a reasonable cancellation charge, and HPCSA guidance permits it under specific conditions. Here are the conditions, the one situation where you may never charge, and why the fee is usually the wrong thing to focus on.

What does a receptionist actually cost in South Africa in 2026?

The advertised salary is the floor, not the total. Here is what the reported market data says a receptionist earns in South Africa, how much the role changes that number, and what employment costs on top.

WhatsApping your patients under POPIA — what's actually allowed

An appointment reminder is not direct marketing, and POPIA says so in its own definitions. Here is where the line sits, what section 69 requires when you cross it, and the second rulebook — WhatsApp's own — that most businesses forget about entirely.