COVER Magazine

Redesigning Leadership: Gen Z, Diversity, and Emotional Maturity

Tony interviews Hemlata Karooa, Head of Client Management and Business Development at Ellgeo Re, about evolving leadership to unlock Gen Z performance in insurance and reinsurance. Hemlata shares how early responsibility at home and exposure to both unfair and supportive leaders shaped her belief that leadership is accountability, fairness, and empowerment, not title or pressure. She argues industry transformation (AI, automation, analytics) is outpacing the human side, driving disengagement and talent loss, citing research that direct leaders heavily shape job experience. Hemlata says Gen Z is misunderstood: they value purpose, transparency, feedback, and emotional safety, and reject burnout and micromanagement. She calls for shifting from control to trust, micromanagement to ownership, secrecy to clarity, and authority to example; expanding diversity into real inclusion and intergenerational collaboration; addressing ego-driven and toxic leadership; and building merit-based promotion systems, including Ellgeo Re’s career competency framework. She closes by urging young professionals to learn and bridge generations, and CEOs to lead with trust, empathy, and emotional maturity.

Navigating the African Insurance Landscape: Insights on Industry Trends, Leadership, and Brokerage Futures

Tony interviews Ayouba Seydou, OLEA's Director Group placement and Reinsurance, about Africa’s insurance market from 2025 into 2026. Ayouba says 2025 saw strong foreign investment across Africa, increased regulatory changes in reinsurance such as higher local retentions, controls on cessions leaving Africa, and local content rules, alongside many election cycles. He frames these shifts as opportunities for brokers to advise clients by leveraging on-the-ground proximity to regulators, educating both regulators and international partners, and helping clients treat new rules as competitive advantages. He highlights reinsurance’s importance given low local capacity and lender demand for rated security, noting Africa Re and Allianz Re as rated options. The discussion also covers professionalism through technical training, soft skills, and mentoring, and OLEA's “territories, technology, talent” approach and pan-African focus.

Johan Minnie, CEO at Consult by Momentum - Mindshift Series

In this episode of the Mind Shift podcast, host Tony from Cover magazine interviews Johan Minnie, the newly appointed CEO Designate of Consult. Johan shares his professional journey, the reasons for taking up his new role, and his vision for the future of financial planning in South Africa. He talks about the growth potential of Consult in the South African market, the importance of providing professional financial advice, and his personal background. Johan also discusses his approach to leadership, balancing stress, and the importance of making business enjoyable. Don't miss this insightful conversation about the next steps for Consult and the evolving financial planning environment.
 

Redefining Leadership in Insurance: A Conversation with Tarina Vlok Managing Director and co-founder of Elite

Leadership Insights from Elite Risk Managing Director and co-founder Tarina Vlok | COVER Leadership Edition 2026
 
Join Tony from COVER as he engages in an enlightening conversation with Tarina Vlok, CEO of Elite Risk. In this special Leadership Edition episode, Tarina shares her thoughts on what makes an effective leader in the insurance industry. She emphasizes the importance of people-focused leadership, empathy, integrity, and trust-building. Tarina also addresses the challenges and priorities for future leaders, the role of technology and AI, and discusses the industry's impact on socio-economic issues in South Africa. Don't miss this insightful discussion about leadership, resilience, and the future of the insurance industry.

The Advisor's Role in Financial Planning: Claims, Coverage, and Client Needs with Nic Smit

In this interview, Tony speaks with Nick Smit, a product development actuary at Bidvest Life, about the upcoming FPI convention and its theme 'Bring It Home.' They discuss the challenges in the advisor-client relationship, especially the skepticism towards life insurance and affordability issues. Nick elaborates on the complexities of insurance products and how Bidvest Life addresses these challenges through innovative product features like the commutation option and life income benefits. The conversation also highlights the significance of fast claims processing, the role of advisors in managing claims, and the importance of personal relationships in the financial planning industry.

Decoding Financial Literacy with Ellen Gower-Mzolo: The CFO's Perspective on Industry Challenges

In this interview, Tony from COVER speaks with Ellen Gower, the CFO of Fulcrum, about the critical importance of financial literacy for individuals and businesses. Ellen defines financial literacy as understanding how numbers work in various facets of life and emphasizes its significance in decision-making, budgeting, and investment. She calls for better financial education in South Africa's schools and discusses how financial literacy leads to better personal and business outcomes. They explore misconceptions about financial literacy, the benefits of challenging oneself to improve financial understanding, and how Fulcrum simplifies financial processes for the insurance industry. Ellen highlights Fulcrum's commitment to education, mentorship, and leveraging new technologies like AI to drive industry innovation and efficiency.

Unpacking the Two Part System: Challenges, Global Comparisons, and Future Implications

In this episode, Tony from Cover interviews Mike Adsetts, Global Chief Investment Officer at Momentum Investments, about the implementation and effects of the two-part system one year post-launch. Mike discusses the operational success, the behavior patterns of fund members, and the system's impact on lower to mid-income earners who are often most distressed financially. They also explore global comparisons, fund management strategies, and the potential long-term benefits and challenges of the two-part system within the context of economic growth and employment creation. Tune in for a deep dive into the intricacies of retirement fund management and policy impacts.

Balancing Risk and Reward: Thabo Twalo's Approach to Underwriting

Join Tony from Cover as he interviews Thabo Twalo, Chief Underwriting Officer for Sanlam Broker Solutions, about the intricacies of risk management in the commercial underwriting process. Thabo discusses the four primary aspects of risk management: risk selection, risk sharing, risk management expectations, and risk capacity allocation. He delves into the implementation of these strategies, focusing on surveys, housekeeping, and technological requirements like tracking devices. Thabo also emphasizes the importance of broker training and client participation in managing risks effectively and shares insights on industry skill shortages and the evolving role of brokers in the insurance market.

How Vitality is Rewriting the Rules of Life Insurance - Riaan van Reenen - Discovery Life

In this insightful interview, Tony from Cover speaks with Riaan van Reenen, CEO of Discovery Life, about the crucial role of life expectancy in life insurance. They discuss global life expectancy trends, the impact of lifestyle choices on health and longevity, and how Discovery Life's Vitality program incentivizes healthy living. The discussion extends to the benefits for policyholders, the insurance company, and society, emphasizing the importance of personalized health journeys powered by AI. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of health, insurance, and innovation.

Staying Relevant in a Rapidly Changing World - Herman Scheepers, CEO of Renasa Insurance

Join Tony from Cover as he interviews Herman Scheepers, CEO of Renasa Insurance, about the critical challenges leaders face in a rapidly changing world. Amidst economic uncertainties and technological advancements, Herman discusses the importance of staying relevant, integrating new technologies, and addressing cybersecurity threats. He delves into strategies for motivating staff, recognizing their contributions, and upskilling to keep pace with innovation. Learn how Renasa benefits from being part of the TIH group, leveraging broader talent pools and sharing ideas to navigate the evolving insurance landscape effectively.