On the 19th of November 2024 the Insurance Institute of Gauteng showcased some of the young talent in the insurance industry across our African continent. Africa is rich with young people who have chosen insurance as their career, and eight of them were chosen to be part of the Roots and Wings International (RWI) mentorship programme this year.
Eight outstanding mentors from South Africa were paired with eight eager mentees from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar and Uganda for a nine-month online journey. Linda and Jenna from Linda Coetzee and Associates gave careful consideration to the pairings, and it seems they were spot on! The tributes by the mentees this morning filled our screens with pride and joy, and we were simply blown away by the growth, transformation and confidence displayed by the mentees. And every single one of them is studying again, despite many of them having already earned a Masters degree!
Take a bow, mentors. You have shared your wisdom and knowledge in a compassionate, professional manner and we appreciate your valuable time and attention. This 2024 programme was blessed with some of our great industry leaders who showed up with enthusiasm and a spirit of generosity. And find a stage, mentees. Because you are all destined for great things, including public speaking! We appreciate the respect you showed with your preparation for the audience this morning and we appreciate your innovative ways of working around the African connectivity challenges.
Thank you, Insurance Institute of Gauteng! And thank you Emerald Risk Transfer for your loyal sponsorship. Your support allows us to share cultures, cross boundaries and #LINKUP in meaningful ways. Thank you, Jenna Coetzee, for your unwavering support of the RWI mentees and your passion for this programme.
Here are our esteemed mentors and mentees for 2024:
| MENTORS | Company | MENTEES | Company | Country |
| Celina Ceprnich | Nautical Underwriting Managers | Placxedes Mukonzo | Mukoma | Zimbabwe |
| Adele Beetge | King Price | Francis Kumah | IRISK Reinsurance Brokers | Ghana |
| Chris Potter | Emerald Risk Transfer | Issufo Victor | Emeritus | Mozambique |
| Jacqueline Naidoo | Discovery Insure | Jessica Monyamane | BIC | Botswana |
| Lisa du Plessis | Sapphire | Ian Simbine | Emeritus | Mozambique |
| Paballo Makupu | Munich Re | Jennifer Njoga | Gemini Insurance | Kenya |
| Thuso Mafumo | ABSA Insurance Company | Natacha Ratsimihafindramanana | Compagnie Malagasy Dássurranceset De Reassurances | Madagascar |
| Tracy McLaughlin | GIB | China Viola | ICEA | Uganda |
#RootsandWingsInternational (RWI)
Article written by Linda Coetzee of Linda Coetzee & Associates
