In the fourth episode of TIA Talks Season 2, host Jason Mizen welcomes a powerhouse guest — Gugu Mkhize, CEO of the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) and guest judge on The Insurance Apprentice (TIA) 2025. Their conversation is equal parts insightful and inspiring, diving deep into the development of future talent in the insurance industry, and the transformative role of initiatives like TIA.
As the dust settles after the latest challenge on The Insurance Apprentice, the boardroom remains a place of high expectations — and even higher stakes. This week’s task, sponsored by INSETA, asked contestants to create an impactful campaign that could be adapted for INSETA’s nationwide “Insure Careers” programme. The goal: develop messaging that resonates with South African youth and inspires a future in insurance.
Purpose and Pressure in the Boardroom
Reflecting on the contestants’ efforts, Mkhize acknowledged the execution, even if the final output fell short of the original brief:
“Maybe not [happy and satisfied],” she admitted. “But they actually started and finished what we had asked them to do.”
“It was a 60% solution,” she added, “and we just need to work on the remaining 40%… They tried, but it was just not catching for a young person… We wanted them to tell us a message that a young person can listen to and catch it immediately.”
The conversation also peeled back the curtain on the judging process. As Mizen noted, TIA’s format allows little room for error:
“The judges make it very difficult… there are no gray areas. It’s either black or white, really.”
And while one contestant’s elimination surprised viewers and judges alike, Mkhize reminded listeners that the bigger picture lies beyond the boardroom drama.
Spotlighting Talent and Creating Opportunities
The INSETA challenge was not only a test of creativity, but also a real-world exercise in communicating the value of a career in insurance. According to Mkhize, initiatives like The Insurance Apprentice reflect real-world workplace dynamics:
“TIA gives a snippet of what happens in the real world of work. You’ve got multiple personalities. You are bound to be clashing… That doesn’t mean that the industry is not going to thrive.”
Despite the challenge’s hiccups, both host and guest emphasized the strong future ahead for these young professionals.
“These are young people who are passionate and want to grow into the industry,” Mkhize said. “I wouldn’t be surprised seeing them five, ten years from now holding very strategic roles.”
Mizen agreed:
“If I look back at all the seasons of TIA — it’s season 11 already — most of the top 10 are still in the industry and are industry leaders.”
From Education to Employability: INSETA’s Broader Impact
Mkhize also spoke about INSETA’s broader mission — to fund and support talent that drives sustainable transformation in the insurance sector. One of the most exciting elements of the episode was the announcement of a R175,000 bursary, awarded through the Insurance Sector Student Fund (ISSF). This fund not only supports tuition, but also covers accommodation, books, laptops, data, and holistic academic support.
“We understand there are some programmes that are very intense, like actuarial programmes. You need a 360 support, basically,” Mkhize explained.
Yet, Mkhize was quick to point out that education alone is not enough:
“We can train people until they’re blue in the face, but if they’re not going to get employment opportunities, it means there’s a misalignment… Employability is important.”
She called for greater collaboration between stakeholders — including professional bodies, unions, and insurers — to bridge the gap between training and real-world demand.
“More collaboration would actually assist us in driving impactful programmes… and also attracting people who are going to stay and build the industry.”
Call for Innovation and Youth-Driven Ideas
One of the most resonant messages from the episode was the urgent need for youth-centric messaging that reflects how insurance can offer meaningful, exciting careers.
To that end, Mizen announced a new email address —
📩 impact@theinsuranceapprentice.co.za — inviting viewers to send in their ideas for how the challenge could have been tackled differently.
“You never know what comes of it,” he said, emphasizing the collaborative spirit behind TIA.
A Shared Vision for the Industry’s Future
As the episode wrapped up, both guests echoed the same belief: that the future of insurance lies in investing in its people — through education, mentorship, and opportunity.
“These are contestants that were picked from hundreds. Just to be in the top 10, for me, is an achievement on its own,” Mkhize said.
“I’m hoping we can partner with them to promote careers in the insurance industry… and say, ‘I was in the top 10.’”
While the contestant surprise guest was absent due to illness, the episode’s message was clear: the next generation of insurance professionals is not only on the rise — they’re being equipped with the tools and vision to lead.