Sasria SOC Ltd, in partnership with the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA) has launched two skills development programmes aimed at addressing the twin crises of youth unemployment and the critical shortage of skilled talent, while driving genuine transformation in the short-term insurance industry.
The official launch introduced The NextGen Insurance Specialist Programme and the Loss Adjustor Programme, which together will empower 54 young South Africans with recognised qualifications and vital practical experience.
With South Africa’s youth unemployment rate at 46.1 percent for those aged 15 to 34, and an even higher 62.4 percent for those aged 15 to 24, the insurance sector recognises a vital opportunity to act. The lack of skilled loss adjusters and emerging brokers from previous disadvantaged background poses both a threat to industry growth and a barrier to economic inclusion.
Muzi Dladla, Executive Manager (Stakeholder Management) of Sasria, stated, “This is not charity, this is a strategic necessity. The insurance industry cannot grow without diverse talent, and South Africa’s young people cannot break out of poverty without access to real skills and real opportunities. We are demonstrating that both goals can be achieved simultaneously.”
The NextGen Insurance Specialist Programme will support 24 emerging entrepreneurs over 12 months, providing accredited NQF level 5 insurance certification and on-the-job training across leading brokerages nationwide. This initiative directly fosters transformation within the sector, broadening Sasria’s distribution network into townships and rural areas while cultivating sustainable pipelines of entrepreneurs.
The Loss Adjuster Programme aims to assist 30 learners, including 10 unemployed individuals with no insurance experience, 10 with insurance backgrounds but currently unemployed, and 10 who are employed in smaller firms without formal qualifications. This diverse cohort earns NQF level 5 accreditation and gains practical experience with loss adjuster firms across Johannesburg, directly addressing the industry’s most pressing skills gap.
Thokozile Mahlangu, Chief Executive of IISA, said, “We are committed to investing in and nurturing the next generation of talented young professionals who will elevate this industry. Our sector requires individuals who grasp both the technical aspects of loss adjusting and the business of brokerage. More crucially, our young people need to recognise that genuine pathways exist into these careers.”
The programmes highlight a broader philosophy: sustainable transformation requires interconnected networks. Beyond Sasria and IISA, the initiatives include the Financial Intermediaries Association (FIA) and Institute of Loss Adjusters, leading brokerages, and loss adjuster firms nationwide, fostering a genuine ecosystem rather than a single isolated effort.
“This is about reshaping the face of our industry. Sasria is not just an insurer, but we are a strategic partner committed to building an inclusive, competitive, and future-ready insurance ecosystem that reflects the diversity and potential of South Africa,” further said Dladla.
Both organisations emphasised that this initiative signifies a sustained commitment rather than mere box-ticking. The structured process, from recruitment through accreditation to job placement, ensures learners graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience valued by employers.
“Young South Africans have heard enough promises. They want action, intention, and clarity about how institutions will help change the course of despair. That is what Sasria and IISA are delivering here. The programmes are expected to deliver measurable outcomes within the first year, with plans for expansion based on learner success and industry adoption rates,” concluded Mahlangu.
About SASRIA
Sasria SOC Ltd is South Africa’s only state-owned special risk insurer, providing unique cover against extraordinary events such as civil unrest, strikes, riots, public disorder, and terrorism. Established in 1979, Sasria was created to address risks that traditional insurers typically exclude, and has since become a vital component of the country’s financial and risk management ecosystem. By protecting individuals, businesses, and public institutions from losses caused by politically or socially motivated events, Sasria plays a crucial role in maintaining economic stability and enabling recovery in times of crisis. Beyond its role as an insurer, Sasria is a strategic partner to government, reinsurers, and financial institutions, working to strengthen national resilience through research, innovation, and collaboration. Its participation in global platforms like the International Forum of Terrorism Risk (Re)Insurance Pools (IFTRIP) reflects its commitment to international knowledge-sharing and its leadership in shaping risk financing solutions tailored to emerging market contexts. As South Africa hosts IFTRIP for the first time, Sasria stands at the forefront of positioning the country as a key voice in the global risk and resilience conversation.
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