How to cancel The Week and stop recurring charges in south africa
What is The Week in english for south africa
The Week is a weekly news digest designed for South African readers who want curated global and local stories without information overload. The service compresses the week's significant headlines across politics, business, technology, and culture into a manageable summary format. You access it through iOS or Android apps, or direct web subscriptions via the publisher's platform. Single issues are available for purchase through app stores if you want to sample the service before committing to a recurring subscription.
Why readers subscribe to The Week
Subscribers value the balanced editorial approach and time-saving summaries that eliminate news fatigue. The curated format appeals to busy professionals who need context without clutter. Nevertheless, cancellation complaints often centre on opaque cancellation procedures, unexpected recurring charges after attempted cancellation, and confusion about refund policies. Yafee specialises in cutting through these frustrations with precise, actionable guidance.
Common reasons for cancellation
Readers cancel The Week for several documented reasons: changing reading habits, budget constraints, overlapping news subscriptions, or dissatisfaction with content selection. Others discover unwanted recurring debits after believing they had cancelled. Understanding your cancellation rights under South African consumer law empowers you to exit cleanly and recover eligible refunds. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate precisely this scenario.
Your consumer rights and legal protection in south africa
South African law grants you specific cancellation and refund protections when you subscribe to digital services like The Week.
Consumer protection act cancellation rights explained
The Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (CPA) forms the backbone of your cancellation rights in South Africa. Under section 5(3) of the CPA, you have the right to cancel any distance contract (including digital subscriptions delivered remotely) within 14 calendar days of the contract's conclusion, without penalty or requiring you to provide a reason. A distance contract is one concluded without simultaneous physical presence between the consumer and the supplier-precisely how you purchase The Week.
This 14-day window gives you a full cooling-off period to change your mind. You must notify The Week publisher in writing within this timeframe. Keep all proof of purchase, confirmation emails, and dated cancellation notices as evidence. Your legal position is strong during this window; the publisher cannot impose early termination fees or retain payment for services you have not yet received.
Even after the 14-day period expires, you retain the right to cancel at any time. The CPA does not permit indefinite lock-in contracts. Once you exit, The Week's terms may allow refunds for unmailed or undelivered issues, depending on their stated policy. Yafee recommends documenting every cancellation step-emails, screenshots, reference numbers-to strengthen any escalation if the publisher refuses your request.
Your legal position: escalation and dispute resolution
If The Week refuses cancellation without valid contractual cause, or denies a refund you are entitled to, you have formal recourse. Contact the National Consumer Commission (NCC) or your provincial consumer protection authority. Both bodies investigate breaches of the CPA and can compel the publisher to comply. Preserve screenshots of subscription charges, emails from The Week's support team, bank statements showing unwanted recurring debits, and your cancellation notices. This documentary evidence is critical and dramatically improves your case strength.
Yafee advises that the NCC's website (www.ncc.org.za) provides complaint forms and guidance on escalation timelines. Most disputes are resolved within 30 working days if your evidence is complete.
The Week subscription plans and current pricing
Understanding The Week's pricing structure helps you decide whether cancellation is the right choice or whether a shorter plan might save you money.
Available subscription plans and ZAR pricing
| Plan |
Price (ZAR) |
Billing cycle |
Best for |
| 1 month subscription |
R229.99 |
Monthly auto-renew |
Trial or casual readers |
| 6 months subscription |
R1,049.99 |
Half-yearly auto-renew |
Regular readers |
| 12 months subscription |
R1,449.99 |
Annual auto-renew |
Committed subscribers |
| Single issue |
R79.99 |
One-time charge |
Occasional readers |
Pricing notes and regional variations
All prices shown are verified South African in-app listings as of early 2025. Regional VAT (value-added tax) at 15% and app store transaction fees may adjust your final charge. Your bank statement or app store receipt will show the exact amount debited. Yafee recommends checking your Apple App Store or Google Play receipt immediately before cancelling, as this confirms the precise amount you authorised and supports any refund claim.
How to cancel The Week on iOS (Apple devices)
Cancelling The Week on iPhone or iPad requires you to access your Apple ID subscription settings directly; you cannot cancel inside The Week app itself.
Step 1: open your apple ID settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top of the settings menu to access your Apple ID profile.
- Select Subscriptions from the list of options.
Step 2: find and select The Week subscription
- Look for The Week in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap on The Week to open its subscription details page.
- Review the renewal date and next billing amount displayed on this screen.
Step 3: cancel your subscription
- Tap the Cancel Subscription button (this wording may vary slightly depending on your iOS version).
- Apple will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer renewal discounts; ignore these if you are certain you want to exit.
- Tap Confirm or Yes to complete the cancellation.
Step 4: verify cancellation and retain proof
- Return to the Subscriptions menu and confirm The Week no longer appears under active subscriptions.
- Take a screenshot of this confirmation for your records.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Apple; forward this to your personal records folder.
- Note the date and time of cancellation.
How to cancel The Week on android (Google play)
Cancelling via Google Play follows a similar structure but uses different menu pathways within the Android ecosystem.
Step 1: access google play subscription settings
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select Subscriptions from the menu.
Step 2: locate The Week in your subscription list
- Browse your active subscriptions and find The Week.
- Tap on The Week to view its current status, renewal date, and next billing amount.
Step 3: cancel the subscription
- Tap the Cancel Subscription button on The Week's detail page.
- Google Play will present a cancellation confirmation dialogue and may offer retention offers; proceed past these if you are committed to cancelling.
- Tap Cancel Subscription again to confirm.
Step 4: confirm and document cancellation
- Verify that The Week no longer appears in your active subscriptions list.
- Screenshot this confirmation screen for your records.
- Check your registered Gmail account for a cancellation confirmation email from Google Play.
- Note the cancellation date and time.
How to cancel The Week via web subscription (direct billing)
If you subscribed directly through The Week's website rather than via an app store, you must cancel through the publisher's online account portal.
Step 1: log in to your Week account
- Visit The Week's official website in your browser.
- Click Log In or My Account, usually located in the top right corner.
- Enter your registered email address and password.
- Tap Sign In or Continue.
Step 2: navigate to subscription settings
- Once logged in, locate your account or subscription menu (often labelled Manage Subscription, My Plans, or Billing).
- Tap this option to view your active subscription details.
- Review your renewal date, plan type, and current charges.
Step 3: initiate cancellation
- Locate a Cancel Subscription or End Subscription button on this page.
- Tap it to begin the cancellation process.
- The publisher may present a cancellation survey or retention offer; complete the survey only if you wish to provide feedback, then proceed past any retention screens.
Step 4: confirm cancellation and retain documentation
- Confirm the final cancellation step when prompted.
- Wait for a confirmation message on screen; a sample message reads: "Your subscription has been cancelled. You will retain access until [date]."
- Screenshot this confirmation page.
- Check your registered email for a cancellation confirmation from The Week publisher; save this email.
- Record the cancellation date and confirmation reference number if provided.
Understanding The week's refund policy after cancellation
Refund eligibility depends on your cancellation timing and The Week's stated terms of service.
When refunds apply and when they do not
If you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period (measured from the conclusion of your contract), you are entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Protection Act, provided you have not yet received the full service. If you cancel after day 14, refunds apply only if The Week has not yet delivered issues or content corresponding to your paid period. For example, if you pay for a monthly subscription on the 1st of the month and cancel on the 15th, The Week's policy may allow a pro-rata refund or none, depending on their terms.
Yafee advises checking The Week's published terms carefully. If their refund policy is vague or non-existent, the CPA's consumer-protective interpretation favours you: undelivered services must be refunded. Document the exact services you were promised versus those you received.
Processing refund requests
- If no refund appears automatically within 14 days of cancellation, contact The Week's support team in writing (email is acceptable).
- Include your account email, subscription plan, cancellation confirmation number, and the date you cancelled.
- State clearly: "I have cancelled my subscription and request a refund for [number] unmailed issues" or "I request a refund under the Consumer Protection Act for services not yet delivered."
- Retain this email and any responses as evidence.
- Allow 10 working days for processing. If no refund is received, escalate to the NCC.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling The Week
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow the correct pathway, but small errors can delay your exit or cost you a refund.
Mistake 1: cancelling inside the app instead of via subscription settings
Deleting The Week app or logging out does not cancel your subscription. The recurring charge will continue. You must access Apple ID, Google Play, or your web account to cancel the actual subscription. Many readers believe app deletion equals cancellation, only to discover charges weeks later. Yafee advises logging into your subscription provider-Apple, Google, or The Week directly-every time.
Mistake 2: failing to document your cancellation
Screenshots and email confirmations are your evidence if a dispute arises. The Week's publisher might claim they never received a cancellation request, or your bank might question a charge you believed you had stopped. Preserve confirmation numbers, dated screenshots, and emails. Store these in a folder labelled "The Week Cancellation" on your device or in cloud storage.
Mistake 3: not checking your bank statement after cancellation
Verify that no charge appears on your next billing cycle date. If a charge does appear after you cancelled, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback, then escalate to The Week's support. Early action protects you and creates a record of the publisher's non-compliance.
Mistake 4: cancelling during a promotional period without noting the terms
Some promotional subscriptions have specific cancellation windows or penalty clauses. If you subscribed via a discounted offer, check whether cancellation triggers a charge or locks you in. The Week's support team can clarify this before you cancel. Yafee recommends asking in writing and preserving the response.
What happens after you cancel The Week
Understanding the post-cancellation timeline and your access rights removes uncertainty and helps you plan for alternative news sources.
Access and service timeline
Once you cancel, your access to The Week continues until the end of your current billing cycle. For example, if you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing cycle runs monthly, you retain access until the last day of that month. On the final day, your access terminates automatically. You will not be charged on the renewal date. This grace period allows you to continue reading until your paid period expires.
After the cancellation date: what to expect
- Confirm that no charge appears on your bank statement or credit card on the renewal date. This is your verification that cancellation succeeded.
- If you received The Week via email digest, verify that no emails arrive after your access termination date.
- Delete your login credentials from your browser's password manager if you use one, to avoid accidentally resubscribing.
- If you subscribed via an app, you may leave the app installed, but it will no longer function as a news reader once your access expires.
Pricing comparison: should you cancel or downgrade
Before cancelling outright, compare the cost of switching to a shorter billing cycle-you might save money and preserve access.
| Scenario |
Cost over 12 months |
Monthly average |
Recommendation |
| Cancel now (no further charges) |
R0 |
R0 |
Best if reading habits have changed |
| Stay on 1-month plan |
R2,759.88 |
R229.99 |
Most flexible if unsure |
| Switch to 6-month plan |
R2,099.98 |
R174.99 |
Saves 24% vs monthly |
| Stay on 12-month plan |
R1,449.99 |
R120.83 |
Cheapest but least flexible |
Decision framework
If you are certain you will not read The Week regularly, cancellation makes financial sense. If you are unsure, downgrade to a 1-month plan (R229.99) and reassess after 30 days. This avoids a large lump sum if you change your mind. Yafee's analysis suggests that readers who are wavering should trial the month-to-month plan before exiting entirely.
If you encounter technical barriers during cancellation, The Week's support team can assist-but only if you contact them correctly.
Official contact address for The Week
The Week publisher's physical address for official correspondence is:
The Week (Weekend Magazine Publisher)
Randburg
South Africa
This is the registered business address for The Week publication. Use this address for formal cancellation notices and dispute escalation letters. Yafee advises sending cancellation requests by registered mail to this address if you believe email support has failed, as this creates a dated record of delivery.
Email support pathway
The Week typically provides customer support via an in-app help centre or website contact form. If your subscription was via Apple or Google Play, contact that platform's support first; they may process cancellation more quickly than the publisher. Preserve email addresses and support ticket numbers for all correspondence. Yafee recommends always requesting confirmation in writing, even if a support agent offers verbal assistance.
Final steps and your next actions
Cancelling The Week requires only a few minutes of action if you follow the correct pathway for your subscription method. Yafee has guided thousands of South African consumers through this process and understands the frustration that unclear cancellation instructions create. Your rights under the Consumer Protection Act are firm: you can cancel within 14 days without penalty, and you can cancel at any time thereafter. The key to a smooth exit is documentation and verification.
Start by identifying where you subscribed (Apple, Google Play, or direct web). Navigate to your subscription settings using the step-by-step guides above. Cancel, take screenshots, and check your bank statement 5 days after the renewal date to confirm the charge has stopped. If any unexpected charge appears, contact your bank and escalate to the National Consumer Commission. Yafee remains your guide to reclaiming control of your subscriptions and your budget-we have helped thousands of consumers cancel unnecessary services and recover refunds under South African consumer law. Take action today.