Over the last few months, it has begun to sink in that every event, every meeting and every presentation is my last as a member of the Insurance Institute of Gauteng (IIG) council and in every one of these occasions one thought has constantly occupied my mind, the insurance industry and the IIG within it are indeed the best kept secrets.
113 years of the IIG later and even longer for the insurance industry and people still stumble into it by accident.
After 6 years on the council and more than 2 decades in the insurance industry I know firsthand how many people have been transformed by the IIG (myself included) and how many people have overcome tragedy because of the insurance industry (myself included).
When you see, on a daily basis, the impact, on lives across the spectrum, it is difficult to reconcile with the fact that most people end up here by accident. And even more people have only a vague idea of what it is we do. Yet this is my experience too. I too stumbled into the industry and equally, I stumbled into the IIG. My first memory of the IIG was the swanky IIG Annual Dinner which was the most prized ticket in my circle of friends.
Being chosen to attend the event was the ultimate vote of confidence from my managers in my then young career. I recall one year I broke my wrist while trying to pull off some moves on the dancefloor but that is a story for another day.
There were the sports days, spinathons, charity auctions and winter bashes.
The IIG felt omnipresent. Yet, little did I know that this represented a mere fraction of what the IIG does. Somehow, even though it was right in front of me, it was still a best kept secret.
I had no idea of the many educational and mentorship programmes that the IIG ran for people at all levels in their insurance careers (even though I had presented in one). I did not make the connection to the multiple thought leadership events the IIG hosted, even though I had presented in some. The multiple charity events did not seem to leave an immediate impression on me.
Once in however, I quickly realised the enormity of the role of the IIG in the insurance industry and I was eager to make a mark.
Alas, COVID hit and for a while it looked like it would spell the end for the IIG. How could an organisation built on a foundation of physical connection survive in a world that was transitioning to online and work from home? Besides, the organisations that supported the work of the IIG were also facing financial uncertainty as clients’ businesses closed and people stopped driving. It was a tenuous period for the IIG, and I recall many long evenings where we debated our value proposition. Would the secret die with our cohort of councillors?
But under the stewardship of Darryl Grater, Daniel Stevens & Carla Jordan, who leaned on the experience of councillors like Daphne Peters and others, the IIG weathered the storm. I also believe that they were relying on the solid foundation laid by the presidents and councils that came before them.
By the time my term as president began in 2022, the world was ready to emerge out of the doldrums that were the Lockdowns. Suddenly the value proposition of the IIG became clear. The insurance industry was ready to reengage, reconnect and grow. We called on the industry to #ShowUp and boy did the industry step up! We received great support from the industry for our various initiatives and that support has grown in the years that followed. I have never been more proud to be part of this great industry that hardly gets the recognition it deserves. The best kept secret!
I am also proud to have witnessed history in my time on the council. My presidency was flanked by the first two Black Female presidents of the IIG, Tshepiso Chocho and Simphiwe Magangane. Two powerful women that I admire greatly and two women whose ascension to presidency was a marker of an industry that has embraced transformation without spurning meritocracy.
I have also seen the IIG have one of its most successful years in 2024 under the leadership of Bukhosi Khumalo and Wilmine Prinsloo. As I step aside, I have the utmost confidence that that #YourIIG is in capable hands. Ready to go from strength to strength and perhaps even break out of shackles of being the best kept secret.
Reflecting on the entirety of my experience in the IIG, I have now seen what lies behind the curtain (this great secret). I have witnessed lives changing, watched careers take off and I been a part of many amazing connections. All because of #YourIIG
For their roles in my journey, I have to acknowledge my employer, Santam, they demonstrated an unshakable commitment to growing the industry and contributing to society at large. My previous employer Munch Re who encouraged me to give back by serving the industry.
Finally, my family who have had to make the biggest sacrifice while I poured myself into the IIG. My wife who has had to be mommy and sometimes daddy to our three rascals.
As I leave the council, I vow that if this thing is going to remain a secret it won’t be because I remained silent about its many wonderful initiatives. Even from the outside I will always champion the cause of the IIG, and I will always be an advocate for the work that the IIG does.
Yours in service, Lungile Thabo Twalo (TT)
