Did you choose a career in insurance or did you fall into the industry like so many others? Briefly share your story.

I never chose the career, it chose me! The plan was to study at university but my funding fell through and nobody wanted to sign surety for me. I was on matric holiday with three of my friends. One friend’s dad was a broker and he brought along his partner who was Klippies Steenkamp. When everybody was telling their future plans at the fire, I was the only one who had no future. They gave me an opportunity, and today, I can proudly say that I was raised by one of the best to ever do it.

Why did you choose to enter The Insurance Apprentice?

Competing against the best and measuring myself and my growth. This is not something that comes naturally to me, so I learn from it every time and I grow as person. And also, I want to represent what a broker in the industry should look like.

In your mind, what qualities should an ambassador of The Insurance Apprentice have?

In my mind, the ambassador should possess the image of what insurance really is in South Africa. A person that is well spoken and knowledgeable but also humble. Someone that does not pretend to know all the answers but is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Someone that is loyal and trustworthy.

Who has been the biggest influencer on your career and why?

My biggest influencer was my director Klippies Steenkamp. He had a lot of technical insurance knowledge but he helped me understand the most important aspect of insurance and that’s people. Whether it is your client or your colleagues. He helped me with how to treat other humans and make a difference in their lives.

In a tweet of 140 characters explain why insurance ROCKS!!!

Insurance is like faith, when you realize you need it, it might be too late.

What would be your dream Apprentice task and why?

My dream task would be to design a task for the judges and then have the contestants judge them. Only kidding… my dream task would be to design a cyber solution for service providers.

What song would you choose for your Insurance Apprentice victory dance?

R Kelly, Sign of a victory

A message to all the TIA sponsors?

Thank you for investing in the young talent in our industry. Thank you for investing in changing the perception of our industry.

How important is winning for you?

 

I am a competitor, so winning is very important to me, but I don’t want to lose myself in the process. I am okay with not winning, as long as I did everything I could, and I know I made my people proud.

Advice to yourself about what you should remember and focus on as you are going into the competition.

That this is an entertainment show. To have thick skin and handle and leave everything in the moment, while learning as much as I possibly can. Building relationships and having fun.