Short-term loan
R500–R3 000, one repayment after about a month.
Borrowing R2 000: one repayment or several?
R2 000 is the most you can borrow on a first short-term loan. Before choosing, see what one repayment means for your month, and what spreading it costs.
Paid partner link. RandLeaf’s own applications aren’t open yet, so this goes to a partner’s application. The partner’s amounts, rates and fees can differ from the RandLeaf examples here. How this works.
- 1 month: R2 170.00 total
- First short-term maximum
- Instalments: 2–6 months
- 2% a month
The largest first short-term loan
R2 000 is the most a first-time customer can borrow on a RandLeaf short-term loan. It is repaid in one amount, R2 170.00, about a month after payout.
That single repayment is the thing to test. It lands in the same month as your rent, transport and groceries. If it would leave you short, the same R2 000 can be spread with an instalment loan, at a higher total cost.
R2 000 short-term loan, first loan
- You receive
- R2 000.00
- Interest at 2% a month
- R40.00
- Initiation fee, once
- R90.00
- Service fee, R40.00 × 1
- R40.00
- Cost of credit
- R170.00
- Total to repay
- R2 170.00
One repayment of R2 170.00 about a month after payout.
R2 000 repaid at once or in instalments
| Loan and term | Each repayment | Cost of credit | Total to repay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term loan, 1 month | R2 170.00 | R170.00 | R2 170.00 |
| Instalment loan, 2 months | R1 115.10 | R230.20 | R2 230.20 |
| Instalment loan, 3 months | R763.51 | R290.53 | R2 290.53 |
| Instalment loan, 4 months | R587.75 | R351.00 | R2 351.00 |
| Instalment loan, 5 months | R482.32, last R482.30 | R411.58 | R2 411.58 |
| Instalment loan, 6 months | R412.05 | R472.30 | R2 472.30 |
A middle path many people find workable is four months: R587.75 a month and R2 351.00 in total, R181.00 more than repaying in one go.
Apply online
Paid partner link. RandLeaf’s own applications aren’t open yet, so this goes to a partner’s application. The partner’s amounts, rates and fees can differ from the RandLeaf examples here. How this works.
R1 500, R2 000 or R2 500 for one month
If you are unsure of the exact amount, these three show how the one-month total moves. Ask for what the job needs, not the maximum.
| Amount | Who can apply | Cost of credit | Repay after a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 500 | First and returning customers | R140.00 | R1 640.00 |
| R2 000 | First and returning customers | R170.00 | R2 170.00 |
| R2 500 | Returning customers only (up to R3 000) | R200.00 | R2 700.00 |
Each extra R500 adds R30.00 to the cost of a one-month loan, on top of the R500 itself.
What changes on a later R2 000 loan
The rate and fees stay the same for returning customers. What changes is the limit: once you have repaid a RandLeaf loan, you can apply for up to R3 000 on a short-term loan. Every application is assessed again, and a previous loan does not guarantee approval.
The proposed RandLeaf Roots programme would reduce the initiation fee by R30 for customers who repaid a loan in the last 24 months. It is not active yet, so the example on the right is illustrative. About RandLeaf Roots.
Without loyalty benefit
Short-term loan, R2 000, 1 month
- You receive
- R2 000.00
- Interest at 2% a month
- R40.00
- Initiation fee, once
- R90.00
- Service fee, R40.00 × 1
- R40.00
- Total to repay
- R2 170.00
One repayment of R2 170.00 about a month after payout.
With loyalty benefit
Short-term loan, R2 000, 1 month
- You receive
- R2 000.00
- Interest at 2% a month
- R40.00
- Initiation fee before benefit
- R90.00
- RandLeaf Roots benefit
- −R30.00
- Initiation fee charged
- R60.00
- Service fee, R40.00 × 1
- R40.00
- Total to repay
- R2 140.00
One repayment of R2 140.00 about a month after payout.
Difference: R30.00 less to repay, because the initiation fee drops by R30.00. Interest and service fees are the same in both columns.
Start at R2 000 and adjust
The calculator starts at R2 000 for one month. Try R1 500, or switch to an instalment loan and compare the monthly amount with the total.
Estimate your repayments
See an estimate of your repayments before you continue. Your final offer depends on the lender’s assessment.
Estimate · not a quote
Example: R2 000 over 1 month, first loan
Total to repay
R2 170.00
One repayment of R2 170.00 about a month after payout.
See every cost
- You receive
- R2 000.00
- Interest at 2% a month
- R40.00
- Initiation fee, once
- R90.00
- Service fee, R40.00 × 1
- R40.00
This is an estimate, not a loan approval. All applications are subject to credit and affordability checks. Pricing version RL-PRICE-2026-10, reviewed 30 October 2026.
Paid partner link. RandLeaf’s own applications aren’t open yet, so this goes to a partner’s application. The partner’s amounts, rates and fees can differ from the RandLeaf examples here. How this works.
R2 000 loan questions
Is R2 000 the most I can borrow on a first loan?
On a short-term loan, yes. A first instalment loan goes up to R5 000 and a first personal loan up to R10 000. The amount you are offered depends on your affordability.
Can I borrow R2 000 and repay it over three months?
Yes, as an instalment loan. Over three months the repayment is R763.51 and the total R2 290.53.
Will a second R2 000 loan be cheaper?
The rate and fees are the same. Once RandLeaf Roots is active, eligible returning customers would pay R30 less initiation fee.
What if I can’t repay the full amount after a month?
Contact us before the repayment date. We don’t roll loans over, but we will look at the options that apply to you. Help with a repayment.
Could I be offered less than I ask for?
Yes. If the assessment shows a smaller amount is affordable, the quote will say so. You can also choose to accept less than you are offered.
Related pages
First loan
Limits, checks and timings for new customers.
Returning customers
What changes, and what doesn’t, when you apply again.
