With a population as varied as South Africa’s, the insurance industry faces a growing demand for solutions that reflect real-world diversity.
This week’s episode of The Insurance Apprentice, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, challenges contestants to step into the shoes of different South African clients and deliver insurance strategies that are anything but one-size-fits-all.
Episode 6 task summary
From informal sector entrepreneurs to individuals approaching retirement, clients across the spectrum have distinct needs and risks. To tackle this complexity, contestants spin the OMI Wheel of Diversity to land on a specific customer segment and marketing angle. From there, they must design a tailor-made insurance product that ticks all the right boxes: affordability, accessibility, seamless service, and strong protection.
Their challenge spans the full insurance value chain – from product design and pricing to claims handling and customer engagement – ensuring that each solution is both relevant and realistic for the chosen segment. The goal? To create a product that not only protects assets but actively helps the client manage risk and build wealth, all while maintaining a positive and intuitive customer experience.
The challenge
With a unique segment in hand, contestants must deliver a compelling, end-to-end insurance solution. This includes defining:
• The product’s core cover and optional add-ons
• Pricing strategies that ensure affordability
• Communication approaches tailored to the segment’s language and lifestyle
• Tech integrations to streamline service and support
• A persuasive product presentation that reflects the realities of the client’s world
Each team member is responsible for presenting a specific part of the solution, and collaboration is key.
Guiding the process and evaluating the outcomes are: Simon Colman (Head Judge and CEO of The Liability Company), Nox Dlamini (Co-Judge) and Carolyn Thompson (Sponsor Judge and Executive: Product Underwriting Pricing Retail at Old Mutual Insure).
The panel will assess the feasibility, relevance, and creativity of each team’s offering—and their ability to truly connect with the client on a human level.
What’s at stake?
As the pressure mounts, it’s not just about having a good idea – it’s about execution, empathy, and adaptability. Who will design a solution that resonates? Who will fall short in understanding their market?
Tune in to find out which contestants rise to the challenge and who gets left behind.
Catch the action – every Thursday on SABC 3
With Pabi Moloi as host and judges Simon Colman and Nox Dlamini at the helm, #TIA2025 – proudly headlined by Sasria SOC Ltd – continues to push the boundaries of innovation, challenging contestants to lead with purpose and think beyond convention.
Don’t miss a moment. Catch #TIA2025 every Thursday at 19:00 on SABC 3, with a repeat at 2 pm the next day, or watch the full episode on Facebook or the TIA website the following day. You can also download the SABC+ app and watch it as it happens!)
Viewer competitions – Watch and WIN!
Engage via WhatsApp during each episode for a chance to win big:
• Vote for your favourite contestant – Win R50 000 (thank you Sasria)
• Answer 1 question per episode – Win R5 000 (thank you Auto & General)
With high-stakes challenges, game-changing insights, and awesome prizes up for grabs, including over R500 000 in prizes for the winner, this season promises to inform, inspire, and ignite new conversations around what it truly means to lead in insurance.
Innovation ignites here. Witness the journey.
• To watch the episode on YouTube, click HERE
• To watch it on the website click HERE
• To watch it on Facebook, click HERE
