customer rights

I was so disappointed to learn that my application for a personal loan is declined due to a load that was handed over 10 years back. I was unemployed and gave that information to the company that I was handed over to. I've been banking with capitec bank for years and I fail to understand why they can't make a deal with me to recover that debt, a debt that by law should have been written off by now, not that, that was the intention. I need to know what steps should I take regarding this matter