I am honored to share my mentee journey with you, it’s a journey that has been life changing, eye opening and empowering. I joined Discovery insure back in 2019 with no insurance back round but ambition! I started as an intern with no experience, and I treated each day as a learning curve fast forward to 2021 now permanent staff and one of my team leaders at the time Kelebogile Dube had just graduated from the programme class of 2020. I was so intrigued I asked her so many questions and she answered all of them and from that day I knew one day I was going to be a part of this programme as a mentee, back then I was knew I wasn’t ready but worked my way up to prepare for this in the future.
When I first embarked on this path, I was filled with ambition and curiosity but also a sense of uncertainty. Like many of us, I had goals and dreams, yet I lacked the roadmap to achieve them. It was at this juncture that I was fortunate enough for to be accepted as a mentee class of 2024 a guide whose wisdom, experience, and unwavering support would become instrumental in shaping my professional and personal development.
From the outset, the IIG had a the first meet and greet with both mentees and mentors and I unfortunately could not join as I was not feeling well on the day , we had a pairing session a week later and most of the mentees had already met and kind of had expectations with regards to whom they would like to paired with , I just went in with nothing but hope to get paired with someone that was going to match my goals and be able to assist with elevating me to the level I was aspiring to get to. i remember as they called my name to come up and meet the lovely Wilmine Prinsloo my mentor, as I was looking around the floor my emotions filled with anxiousness to see her face and first impression was wow what a colorful personality as she was smiling walking up to me. From the first meet up to this day with not only imparted knowledge but also instilled in me a sense of purpose and direction. Through her guidance, I learned to navigate challenges with resilience, to embrace opportunities with confidence, and to view setbacks as steppingstones rather than obstacles. Their insights challenged my perspectives, broadened my horizons, and encouraged me to continuously strive for excellence.
One of the most profound lessons I learned on this journey is the importance of continuous learning and growth. Every interaction, every piece of advice, and every shared experience has contributed to my evolution as an individual. I discovered strengths within myself that I never knew existed and developed skills that have empowered me to take on new responsibilities and challenges.
But this journey has not been without its challenges. There were moments of doubt, setbacks to overcome, and obstacles that seemed insurmountable. Yet, through it all, my mentor stood by my side, offering encouragement, guidance, and practical solutions. Their belief in my potential fueled my determination to persevere, to learn from adversity, and to emerge stronger and more resilient than before.
Today, as I reflect on my journey as a mentee, I am filled with gratitude—for my mentor Wilmine who believed in me when I doubted myself, for the lessons learned through both triumphs and tribulations, and for the unwavering support of my colleagues and peers who have walked alongside me on this path.
As I look to the future, I am inspired not only to continue my own growth and development but also to pay forward the invaluable lessons and support I have received. Mentorship is a journey of reciprocity—a continuous exchange of knowledge, experience, and encouragement that enriches both the mentor and the mentee.
In closing, I urge each of you to embrace the power of mentorship—to seek guidance, to offer support, and to believe in the transformative potential that lies within each of us.
Together, let us forge a community where mentorship thrives, where individuals are empowered to reach their fullest potential, and where the journey of growth and success knows no bounds. Its only been 6 months and the journey has not yet ended thank you to my employer for trusting me with this programme and to the IIG for seeing potential in me.
Article Written by Mahlomola Sekgotlaboraga | IIG – Roots & Wings Mentee – Discovery Insure
