How to cancel Second Nature in south africa and stop unwanted charges
What Second Nature is and why cancellation matters
Second Nature is a subscription-based health and wellness programme that delivers personalised nutrition coaching and habit-tracking tools via mobile app. The service focuses on sustainable weight loss and behavioural change through ongoing digital coaching, resources and personalised support available only to active subscribers.
You may be considering cancellation for several legitimate reasons: the programme hasn't delivered the results you expected, the subscription cost no longer fits your budget, you've achieved your health goals, or you've found a different approach that works better for you. Whatever your reason, you hold clear consumer rights under South African law, and Yafee is here to guide you through cancellation step-by-step with precision and clarity.
When cancellation is the right decision
Cancelling makes sense if you've given the programme a fair trial of at least 2 to 4 weeks and you're not seeing progress that justifies the ongoing cost. It's also sensible if you joined via a 14-day trial and discovered the subscription fees are steeper than you anticipated once the trial period ends.
Don't let subscription inertia keep you paying for a service that no longer serves your needs. You should only maintain a subscription with Second Nature if it genuinely delivers value to your life and health goals.
Your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel
Second Nature operates on an auto-renewal model, meaning your subscription renews at regular billing intervals (typically monthly) unless you actively cancel beforehand. This is why taking action today matters: every day you delay is another day closer to your next billing cycle. The sooner you cancel, the sooner you stop the charges and regain control of your finances.
Your consumer rights under south african law
South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (No. 68 of 2008) protects you when you cancel subscriptions and demand refunds. Understanding these rights gives you leverage if Second Nature refuses your cancellation request or withholds a refund you're entitled to claim.
The 14-day cooling-off period explained
If you subscribed to Second Nature directly (not via an employer, insurer or healthcare pathway), you have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you entered the agreement. During this window, you can cancel for any reason and request a full refund without penalty. This right exists in law because subscription services often lock you in before you've tested whether the service truly meets your needs.
Your legal position: Within 14 days of sign-up, your refund is non-negotiable under the Consumer Protection Act. Document your cancellation request by screenshot (capture the date and time) in case you need to escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
Right to cancel after the cooling-off period
Once the 14-day cooling-off period expires, the Consumer Protection Act still protects your right to cancel. However, Second Nature's cancellation policy lawfully states that no refunds are issued for partially used billing periods after the trial ends. This is lawful provided the terms were clear at sign-up and transparently communicated to you before you subscribed.
The key principle: you always retain the right to cancel at any time. The question is whether you're entitled to a refund based on when you cancel relative to your next billing date. Yafee advises you to check when your next billing date falls and cancel before then to avoid being charged for a period you won't use.
Escalation with the national consumer commission
If Second Nature refuses to process your cancellation or withholds a refund you believe you're entitled to under law, you can lodge a formal complaint with the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The NCC investigates unfair business practices, breaches of the Consumer Protection Act, and can compel companies to refund customers and cease unlawful conduct.
Visit www.ncc.org.za to file a complaint if Second Nature fails to honour your cancellation request or if you believe your consumer rights have been breached. The NCC will investigate at no cost to you and can award compensation if Second Nature acted unfairly.
How to cancel Second Nature: the step-by-step procedure
There are two primary methods to cancel Second Nature: via the mobile app (fastest and most straightforward) or by contacting support in writing if the app method fails or if you joined via a partner healthcare pathway.
Cancelling directly through the mobile app
This is the standard and fastest cancellation method. Follow these steps to cancel immediately and stop future charges:
- Open the Second Nature app and log in to your account
- Navigate to your account settings or profile section (typically found in the menu or bottom navigation bar)
- Look for "Subscription", "Billing", "Manage subscription" or similar option
- Select "Cancel subscription" or "End membership"
- The app may present you with a retention offer or discount to stay; you can decline this and proceed with cancellation
- Confirm the cancellation by selecting "Yes, cancel" or "Confirm cancellation" when prompted
- Screenshot the cancellation confirmation message showing the date and time your subscription was cancelled
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message from Second Nature within 24 hours
Save this confirmation email and screenshot. They prove you cancelled before your next billing date and protect you if Second Nature later disputes the cancellation or attempts to charge you again.
Cancelling by post if the app method fails
If the app cancellation option is unavailable, broken, or if you joined through a partner healthcare pathway, you must cancel in writing by post. This creates a documented paper trail and ensures Second Nature cannot claim they never received your cancellation request.
- Write a brief cancellation letter including:
- Your full name exactly as it appears on your account
- Your email address associated with the Second Nature account
- Your account or subscription ID (visible in app settings or billing emails)
- The date you joined Second Nature
- A clear statement: "I hereby cancel my Second Nature subscription effective immediately"
- Today's date
- Your signature
- Post your cancellation letter via registered post (with proof of delivery) to Second Nature's registered postal address:
- Second Nature Healthy Habits Ltd
Postal Address: Second Nature, Unit 7, Downley Business Centre, 1 Downley Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3QB, United Kingdom
- Alternatively, contact Second Nature via their website or app to request a UK contact address, or check if they accept cancellations via email to their support team
- Retain the proof of delivery receipt from the post office
- Allow 5 to 7 working days for Second Nature to process the cancellation after receipt
- Check your email and app to confirm the subscription status changes to "Cancelled"
Yafee recommends using registered post because it creates undeniable evidence of when you sent the cancellation letter. If Second Nature claims they never received it, you have postal proof to dispute the claim and escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
Refund eligibility and what to expect
Your refund entitlement depends on when you cancel relative to the 14-day cooling-off period and your next billing date.
Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 days of sign-up, you are entitled to a full refund of all charges paid. Second Nature must refund you within 14 working days of receiving your cancellation request. The Consumer Protection Act mandates this refund; Second Nature cannot refuse or delay it.
Refunds after the 14-day period
After the 14-day cooling-off period expires, Second Nature's policy lawfully permits them to retain payment for the current billing cycle you're in. However, you will not be charged for any future billing cycles once your cancellation is processed. If you cancel mid-month, you lose the pro-rata refund for the unused portion of that month, but no additional charges will apply.
Check the exact date your next billing cycle begins. If you cancel three days before that date, you avoid the next charge entirely. If you cancel three days after, you've been charged for a full month you won't use. Timing your cancellation matters significantly.
When Second Nature delays or refuses a refund
If Second Nature refuses to process your refund within 14 working days of your cancellation request, or if they claim you're ineligible when you meet the legal criteria, you have grounds to escalate. Write to Second Nature in writing requesting the refund and citing the Consumer Protection Act. If they continue to refuse within a further 7 days, file a complaint with the National Consumer Commission with your supporting documents (cancellation confirmation, billing receipts, and correspondence with Second Nature).
Pricing, subscription costs and billing cycle
Understanding Second Nature's pricing structure helps you calculate what you'll owe if you cancel mid-cycle and what you'll save by cancelling before your next billing date.
| Subscription tier |
Monthly cost (ZAR) |
Billing cycle |
Cancellation refund policy |
| Monthly subscription |
R 399-599 (typical) |
30 days |
Full refund within 14 days of sign-up; no refund after |
| Quarterly subscription |
R 1,200-1,800 |
90 days |
Full refund within 14 days of sign-up; no refund after |
| Annual subscription |
R 4,000-5,500 |
365 days |
Full refund within 14 days of sign-up; no refund after |
| 14-day trial |
R 0 (free trial) |
14 days |
Full refund if cancelled during trial or within 14 days of trial end |
If you subscribed to a quarterly or annual plan, cancelling before your next billing date saves you significantly. For example, if you're on an annual plan at R 4,500 and you cancel before the renewal date, you avoid another full year of charges.
What happens after you cancel
Cancelling Second Nature is not the end of your journey; it's a transition point where you regain control of your subscription and your finances.
Immediate access loss and data retention
Once Second Nature processes your cancellation, you lose access to the app, coaching tools, habit-tracking features and all digital resources within 24 to 48 hours. Any personal data you uploaded (meal logs, progress photos, goals) remains with Second Nature in accordance with their privacy policy. You cannot recover this data once access is revoked, so download any personal records you wish to keep before cancellation is finalised.
No further charges after cancellation confirmation
After cancellation is processed and confirmed, Second Nature will not charge you again unless you voluntarily resubscribe. If you are charged after cancellation, this is a breach of the Consumer Protection Act. Report it immediately to your bank and lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission, citing the date you cancelled and your cancellation confirmation.
Follow-up emails and re-engagement offers
Second Nature may send you follow-up emails offering discounts or re-engagement incentives to return. These are marketing messages and do not reinstate your subscription. You can unsubscribe from their mailing list by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any email, or contact their support team to request removal from their marketing list.
Common cancellation mistakes to avoid
Cancelling a subscription is straightforward, but small oversights can delay your refund or leave you exposed to further charges. Here's what to watch for.
Cancelling too late in your billing cycle
If your next billing date is in two days and you cancel today, you'll be charged for the next cycle. Check your billing date before you cancel. The best time to cancel is immediately after a charge posts, giving you the full month before the next one. Yafee recommends setting a phone reminder for the day before your next billing date if you're on the fence about keeping your subscription.
Failing to keep cancellation proof
Screenshots of app cancellations and confirmation emails are your only proof that you cancelled. If you delete these after a week, and Second Nature later claims they never received a cancellation, you have no evidence. Keep your cancellation confirmation and any emails from Second Nature for at least three months after cancellation.
Confusing app cancellation with account deletion
Cancelling your subscription is not the same as deleting your account. You can cancel the subscription and retain your account (and your data) indefinitely. If you want to delete your account entirely, you must request this separately through Second Nature's support or account settings. Clarify what you want before you proceed.
Not checking your bank statement after cancellation
Even after cancellation is confirmed, technical errors can occur and Second Nature may charge you by mistake. Review your bank statement for 30 days after cancellation to ensure no unexpected charges appear. If they do, contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge and provide your cancellation confirmation as evidence.
Attempting to cancel through customer service chat without documentation
Live chat cancellations create no paper trail. If you cancel via chat and the agent assures you it's done, but no confirmation email arrives, you have no proof. Always use the in-app cancellation method or send a written cancellation request via post or email to create documented evidence.
Comparison: keep or cancel
Before you finalise cancellation, weigh the pros and cons of keeping your Second Nature subscription against the cost and effort of finding an alternative.
| Factor |
Keep your subscription |
Cancel and explore alternatives |
| Cost |
Ongoing monthly or annual charges (R 399-5,500) |
Zero cost; redirect money to other health tools |
| Results timeline |
Continued coaching; may see results in 8-12 weeks |
Faster decision; avoid sunk-cost bias |
| Habit tracking |
Integrated app with personalised feedback |
Free alternatives: MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, Habit Tracker |
| Coaching support |
Ongoing access to Second Nature coaches |
One-off consultation with private nutritionist (lower cost) |
| Commitment |
Requires consistent engagement to justify cost |
No commitment; try multiple platforms |
If you've used Second Nature for less than 4 weeks, you're likely still in the habit-formation phase. Continuing for 8 to 12 weeks may show results. However, if you've given it a full 12 weeks and seen no progress, or if the cost is unsustainable, cancelling is the logical choice. Yafee supports your decision to cancel if the service no longer meets your needs or budget.
How yafee can help you cancel Second Nature
Cancelling a subscription should be simple, but companies sometimes make it deliberately difficult to lock you in. That's where Yafee comes in. Yafee specialises in helping consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, enforce their consumer rights, and recover refunds when companies refuse to honour them.
Yafee's cancellation guides are grounded in consumer protection law. We reference the specific legislation (Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 in South Africa) that protects you, explain your rights in plain language, and walk you through each step to cancel without confusion or delay. If Second Nature refuses to cancel or withholds a refund, Yafee provides the evidence and legal framework you need to escalate to the National Consumer Commission.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer wanted, recover refunds they were entitled to claim, and regain financial control. Whether you're cancelling Second Nature, a gym membership, a streaming service or any other recurring charge, Yafee is your trusted guide through the process.
Contact details for cancellation by post
If you need to cancel Second Nature in writing, use this address:
Second Nature Healthy Habits Ltd
Unit 7, Downley Business Centre
1 Downley Road
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3QB
United Kingdom
Send your cancellation letter via registered post to create proof of delivery. Retain the postal receipt and await confirmation within 7 working days. If you receive no confirmation or are charged after the processing period, escalate to the National Consumer Commission at www.ncc.org.za with your evidence.
Cancelling Second Nature restores your financial autonomy and removes a recurring charge you no longer need. Follow the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, keep your cancellation confirmation, and verify that no further charges appear on your bank statement. If Second Nature fails to honour your cancellation or withholds a refund you're entitled to, the Consumer Protection Act and the National Consumer Commission are your safeguards. Yafee remains here to clarify your rights and support your cancellation every step of the way.