From curiosity to career ambition Rustenburg pupils embrace insurance

The question was simple: “Who wants to work in insurance?” At first, only two Rustenburg learners raised their hands. By the end of the day, many more had joined them - a change sparked by a national awareness drive visiting their school.

By sharing real-life stories, hands-on activities, and insights into an industry that touches almost every part of daily life, the 2025 Insurance Awareness Initiative opened new doors for pupils from Tswaidi Secondary School, Itumeleng School and JM Ntsime High School.

For many, it was the first time they had considered insurance as a career path - and the first time they saw how their skills and ambitions could fit into it.

Hosted by the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) and partners on 30 July, the event aimed to inspire purposeful career choices among youth from underrepresented communities, drawing 210 learners this year - up from 150 in 2024.

IISA executive manager Tumisang Moduke said the initiative is part of a national drive to reframe insurance as a purposeful and “cool” career choice for graduates - one that combines impact, innovation and everyday relevance.

“We are intentional about driving insurance awareness at the grassroots level. We are investing in young minds today to secure the industry’s leadership tomorrow,” he stated.

One of the highlights of the day was the return of two Rustenburg learners from last year's initiative. They had joined the Youth Accelerator Programme (YAP) and returned as inspirational speakers, sharing their journey from the classroom to their careers.

Tshireletso Msikane, a returning learner from Itumeleng Secondary School, said: “My experience so far with the learnership programme is phenomenal. I never thought I’d be so eager to explore the insurance industry until I got selected. I’m looking forward to continuing and gaining more knowledge.”

The 12-month YAP programme is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the insurance industry.