The non-life insurance industry in South Africa has successfully completed the second year of the Retiree Repurposing Programme, an initiative that brings together experienced retired professionals and young insurance managers to facilitate skills transfer and industry knowledge sharing.

This programme is a collaborative effort between the South African Insurance Association (SAIA), the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA), the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) and the Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA). Funded by INSETA, the initiative provides a structured 12-month mentorship experience designed to address the persistent shortage of critical skill gaps in the industry by ensuring that valuable  technical, leadership and management skills are passed down to the next generation of professionals.

The non-life insurance industry continues to face significant skill gaps in key areas such as marine, engineering, agricultural crop insurance, reinsurance and general technical insurance business lines. The Retiree Repurposing Programme aims to bridge these gaps by connecting young professionals with seasoned industry veterans who can provide mentorship, technical expertise, and leadership guidance.

The 2024 programme paired eight  retired insurance professionals with  18 mentees working across six  core areas of the non-life insurance industry. By participating in this initiative, mentees gained hands-on experience, industry-specific knowledge, and access to leadership insights essential for accelerated career development.

Ms Pamela Ramagaga, the SAIA General Manager: Insurance Risks, emphasised the importance of such initiatives in sustaining industry growth with a transformation element, by intentionally investing in the developing of future leaders. “A critical challenge in the insurance industry is ensuring that the extensive knowledge of retired experts is not lost. At the same time, we have emerging professionals eager to advance in their careers but who require this mentorship programme for breakthrough in their respective careers. Through this intentional structured coaching and industry approach, the programme provides a scalable model or framework to bridge the development of future leadership while preserving institutional knowledge and expertise.

By fostering mentorship and collaboration, we are strengthening the industry’s foundation and creating opportunities for sustainable growth. The insights and experience shared by our retirees do not only help mentees build their confidence but also equips them with the skills necessary to tackle complex industry challenges. The long-term impact of this initiative will be evident in the leadership pipeline the industry is building today. We look forward to expanding the programme to reach even more professionals in 2025, the registration is open for the next cohort intake, and we have already received a significant number of applications for both mentors and mentees across the various lines of business.”

SAIA, together with its partners, is encouraged by the impact of the programme’s second  year and looks forward to expanding its reach. With funding for the 2025-2026 programme cohort, pending final confirmation from INSETA, discussions are underway to potentially double the number of participants for this next cohort.

The programme project manager, Mr Gerhard Genis, highlighted the advantages mentees experienced during the programme. He noted that participants benefited from direct knowledge sharing, enhanced professional development, increased confidence, and exposure to senior industry figures. “One of the greatest benefits of this initiative is that it allows mentees to gain real-world insights from experienced professionals who have spent decades in the field. The programme not only accelerates their learning but also helps them navigate complex industry challenges with greater confidence. Through this mentorship, we are fostering the next generation of industry leaders, ensuring that vital expertise is retained and passed on effectively.”

Speaking at the 2025 graduation event, Mr Sizwe Mashinini, a mentee, shared his experience: “Before joining the programme, I was navigating my career without a clear direction. I had technical knowledge but needed guidance on how to apply it strategically. Through mentorship, I not only refined my skills, but I also gained the confidence to take on more responsibilities. This structured support and industry programme has been instrumental in shaping my career path.”

Throughout the programme, mentors and mentees focused on key aspects of their respective fields, identifying crucial areas where additional expertise was required. “The mentorship experience provided me with real-world applications for my knowledge, helping me bridge the gap between theory and practice. It has given me a fresh perspective on how to approach industry challenges and career growth,” Mashinini added.

Ms Ylaney Ramlall, another 2024 mentee, reflected on how the programme shaped her professional journey: “This experience has been transformative. Mentorship has not only given me deeper technical insights but has also helped me develop my confidence and resilience in navigating industry challenges. Learning from an experienced professional has enabled me to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The Retiree Repurposing Programme has empowered me to make meaningful contributions to my field while refining my career path.”

Registration for the 2025 Retiree Repurposing Programme are open. Interested candidates can apply through SAIA for this opportunity to gain invaluable industry insights and mentorship.

Registration Link: https://my.togetherplatform.com/loginorganizationId=YyOe2sycxoGp2YnfBUTm&isRegistration=true&programId=gpotw3hOisGjxOugepgF