“Mentorship is the art of creating and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow”
The Insurance Institute of Gauteng hosts the Roots and Wings Mentorship programme every year – we are in our tenth year already. The programme pairs motivated mentees with respected leaders in the insurance industry who mentor them formally for nine months. The primary intention of this wonderful programme is to facilitate the transfer of experience and knowledge to the future leaders of the industry, and provide them with a platform for personal growth and development.
The mentees are identified by their companies but the mentors volunteer their time and contribution. It is truly an act of service. The most recent launch of the IIG Roots and Wings 2025 programme welcomed 39 mentors and 39 mentees. And the pairing announcements a week later were greeted with cheers and celebrations. The energy and enthusiasm shown by everyone is contagious. That’s why the programme just keeps growing!
The mentor and mentee training and pairing is facilitated by Linda Coetzee and Associates who are passionate about the IIG education programmes and lend wisdom and innovation to this mentorship programme. In collaboration with IIG, the process starts every January with LCA interviewing the applicants and selecting those that meet the criteria. Then capturing the mentors to ensure we have one mentor for every mentee and is committed to Two things: a monthly meeting with their mentee and attending the programme events.
And then the journey begins. Watching each journey unfold in its own unique way is so fascinating. Hearing the stories at the review sessions is inspiring. Seeing the growth and transformation in the mentees is truly magical. And the final presentations at the end of the nine months when each mentee pays tribute to their mentee is the most heart-warming day in the IIG calendar – every year!
The programme facilitators provide a safe space for every participant to seek counsel or guidance. Everyone learns from each other and new alliances are formed, friendships are made, and opportunities are provided. No-one comes out of this programme without having received a gift of some sort.
As the IIG we are extremely proud of the success stories and progress we have witnessed in our mentees, and are humbled by the contribution from our mentors and sponsors who have allowed this programme to grow from strength to strength.
Look out for the pairing announcements and the event photos on social media. You will be surprised at who is part of this programme, some for the fifth or sixth year as a mentor. It is a real “feel good” initiative.
Linda Coetzee | CEO – Linda Coetzee and Associates
