It's more than just a
COMPETITION
The Insurance Apprentice is a reality-style competition that brings the insurance industry to life like never before. Over one intense week, young professionals under 35 are filmed tackling tough technical, business, and social challenges — all designed to test their skills, spark innovation, and showcase the leaders of tomorrow.
Launched in 2015, TIA has produced ten powerful seasons, capturing the imagination of both the industry and the public. What started as a simple idea — to make a difference in an industry we love and expand the FAnews legacy — has grown into a movement.
Why do we do it?
- Because who doesn’t love a reality show with drama, pressure, and big personalities?
- Because our industry needs bold young professionals who can lead us into the future.
- Because we’re changing perceptions — proving insurance is not just call centres and funeral policies, but a world of skills, opportunities, and purpose.
- Because education matters — and through every challenge, contestants and viewers learn about business, leadership, responsibility, and the bigger picture.
The bigger picture
TIA isn’t just about competition. It’s about celebrating talent, inspiring growth, and showing South Africa how exciting and vital our industry really is. And now, with TIA on TV, our story and our passion will reach an even wider audience.
FAnews — a family legacy and proudly South African publication — is the foundation of this journey. Co-owners Rianet Whitehead and Michelle Schreuder-Rankin turned passion into purpose by combining education and entertainment, with the shared belief that together, we can build a stronger, more inspiring insurance industry.
Join the movement. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn — and subscribe to TheInsApp YouTube channel.
Meet the judge
Nox Dlamini
Nox won Season 4 of The Insurance Apprentice. One challenge during the competition became the blueprint for her first business, reinforcing a principle that now defines her career: “Once you see a problem clearly, neutrality is no longer an option. Step in and build.”
Since then, she has carved out a distinctive path at the intersection of business, insurance, risk, and humanity – building solutions that address the protection gap for SMEs and vulnerable communities.
With qualifications in Strategy, Insurance & Risk Management from Wits University and the Gordon Institute of Business Science, Nox is the founder and former Managing Director of XonRisk and now co-founder of BYOR Insurance & Risk Specialists.
Who is Nox Dlamini?
"I am a strategist with a sharp eye for excellence and a firm respect for those who courageously step into the arena to challenge themselves. Also, I'm just a girl!"
We asked Nox some questions about herself. Hover or tap on the question to reveal her answer.
Judge Radar
Meet the judge
Simon Colman
Simon Colman is the CEO of The Liability Company, underwriting on behalf of Old Mutual Insure and OMART Insure. A liability specialist with over 30 years in the industry, he combines deep technical expertise with a passion for digital innovation, helping brokers navigate increasingly complex risk landscapes.
On television, he is better known as Judge Dread on The Insurance Apprentice — where sharp insight, straight talk, and zero tolerance for mediocrity have become his trademark.
Simon is a Fellow of the IISA and holds an HCII as well as a Diploma in Digital Business from MIT and Columbia Business School (USA). Away from insurance, he is a mentalist and performer; a skill set that comes in surprisingly handy when assessing risk, reading negotiations, and occasionally predicting which contestant is about to make a very expensive mistake.
Who is Simon Colman?
"A liability guy who believes talent beats ego, ideas beat noise, and integrity beats everything."
We asked Simon some questions about himself. Hover or tap on the question to reveal his answer.