“We all want to change the industry… but maybe I don’t need to change the whole industry – just spark the mind that might.” – Temwa Nyirenda, TIA 2024 Winner.
In the season finale of TIA Talks, host Jason Mizen sat down with three powerful voices who personify the legacy, spirit, and future of The Insurance Apprentice (TIA):
- Khaya Mashologu, winner of TIA 2025
- Temwa Nyirenda, winner of TIA 2024
- Rianet Whitehead, the visionary creator and executive producer behind the show
Together, they unpacked what it really means to win – and why TIA continues to be more than just a competition.
A platform that transforms, not just tests
Khaya’s journey through TIA 2025 wasn’t just about challenges and boardroom strategy. It was about vulnerability, growth, and purpose. From being raised by a subsistence farmer in a small town to winning one of the most prestigious titles in insurance, Khaya describes the show as a “game changer” – both personally and professionally.
He recalls a turning point after narrowly avoiding elimination:
“You don’t understand, until you get here, what it does to you… It gives you a real chance to do something with yourself.”
The “redemption jacket” – a Matric blazer passed down from his grandfather – became symbolic of his renewed focus and resilience.
The brotherhood of competitors
One of the most touching takeaways from the episode was the genuine camaraderie between Khaya and Temwa. Though fierce competitors from different seasons, they formed a brotherhood rooted in mutual respect and shared experience.
Temwa remembers watching Khaya’s tearful moment in the show and telling him:
“There’s something profound about seeing Superman cry.”
This openness – the emotional rawness and introspection – is what gives TIA its deeper edge. It’s not just a test of knowledge or presentation skills. It’s a crucible that reveals character.
Mentorship, visibility, and representation
For Rianet Whitehead, TIA has always been about more than insurance. It’s a mission: to create visibility, challenge perceptions, and elevate the industry’s image through authentic representation.
“We want people to know that insurance is cool – that we care, that we grow, that we serve.”
And serve they did.
Temwa’s post-TIA journey was filled with school visits, outreach initiatives, and leadership moments that demonstrated what it truly means to be an ambassador. One standout memory involved him energising a group of students to present with confidence – in their own language.
“It’s not just about winning. The competition never ends when the cameras stop rolling,” he shared.
The power of industry support
Both Khaya and Temwa highlighted the incredible support from their respective companies – Old Mutual and Santam – and how that backing amplified the impact of their TIA journeys.
From celebratory office banners and social media takeovers to executive mentorship and continued career growth, the backing wasn’t just symbolic – it was strategic. As Temwa noted, “It’s going to be a blessing for my entire career.”
Santam, in particular, received praise for its full-circle support – sponsoring both the first elimination round and the finale of TIA 2025. It’s no surprise then that both Khaya and Temwa serve as glowing examples of what happens when companies invest in people.
Leadership lessons that stick
Through laughter, tears, and behind-the-scenes revelations, one message rang loud and clear in this episode: TIA is a masterclass in real-world leadership.
Temwa summed it up best with a lesson from the very first task:
“Meet people where they are – not where you want them to be.”
From situational leadership and empathy to humility and emotional intelligence, the lessons contestants walk away with extend far beyond the boardroom. As Rianet said, “There’s a lot of business and life lessons that come through the critique… people walk away changed.”
A legacy in motion
As the episode drew to a close, there was a profound sense of continuity. TIA is not a once-off moment – it’s a movement. One that builds leaders, connects people, and reshapes an industry.
Khaya, Temwa, and Rianet reminded us that winning TIA isn’t about perfection — it’s about purpose. It’s about standing in the gap for future talent, being visible, and using your platform to serve.
“You don’t need to change the whole industry. Just spark the mind that might.”
And that’s exactly what TIA – and its winners – continue to do.
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