INSETA placed Catherine Pitsi as an intern at Frank.net from September 2012 to July 2013. She found the company culture allowed her to grow in her career and as an individual. The lively and spirited ambience came from its diverse staff working together to achieve common goals. As an "ICT-head", she thrived in the high-activity environment supporting the company's evolving technology infrastructure systems. While sometimes challenging, she gained valuable experience providing assistance to internal and external clients. Overall, her internship was a life-changing experience that helped develop her skills and confidence in her abilities.

1. A u g u s t 2 0 1 3
ISSUE 6: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SKILLED TOMORROW
INSETA serious
about supporting
the disabled

2. INSETA EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES PORTAL
ENDLESS POSSIBILITY
ATYOU FINGER TIPS
WWW.INSETANETWORK.CO.ZA
UPLOAD YOUR CV NOW
If you’ve worked in the insurance industry and are
currently unemployed or completed a learnership or
internship in the industry but unemployed.

3. CONTENTS
COVER STORY
National Disability Awards Winner
DIVISIONAL INSIGHTS
Insurance Industry Players Identify Talented Black Learners To Pursue Actuarial Science.
INSIDERS CHOICE
Education and subsidised learning will spearhead the intermediary’s drive to transform
the industry
INSIDER NEWS
INSETA Network launches Employment Opportunities Portal
NEW BEGINNINGS
INSETA facilitates an internship at Frank.net

4. INSETA provided Chaeli with a bursary to pursue her
studies at university following her win in 2012.
Despite being a wheelchair user, the INSETA National
Disability Award winner and bursary holder has
moved onto residence at the university with her
caregiver at the beginning of the year and is enjoying
a rich student life. She passed her mid-year university
subjects comfortably while successfully adapting to
varsity life and even tackling the world’s biggest cycle
race. Chaeli admits it was “quite an adjustment from
high school. Being responsible for performance and
organising my time to get all my work done on time
was definitely something to get used to.”
As was adjusting to large classes. But far from
expecting to be singled out, she is thrilled about
being able to blend in.“It’s really nice to be one of
the many.A friend told me that societies are where
the fun happens and where the memories are made.
She was right.”
Chaeli also joined UCT student newspaper Varsity
and UCT Cycling, through which she trained for and
completed the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in
a buggy behind her cycling partner and friend Grant
Kruger.“Then there’s the whole new experience of
living in campus residence. Res life is very interesting,
very different to home life. I’m in a double room with
my assistant, Nthabi.There is an amazing camaraderie
between all the ladies in the res. Everyone is so
willing to help anyone else.”
She feels that she can excel at the University of Cape
Town.“There is such diversity of people, attitudes
and study plans, that it doesn’t matter who you are
or where you come from.You can be whoever you
want to be, and that freedom is incredible.”
Chaeli’s mother, Zelda, is proud of Chaeli’s ability
to “knuckle down and do what she has to do.The
Disability Unit at UCT advised her in January to
enroll for an extended programme (doing her degree
NATIONAL DISABILITY
AWARDS WINNER
CHALLENGING PERCEPTIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Chaeli Mycroft is the first University of Cape Town student with a disability needing a personal
assistant to live with her so that she is able to live in residence. She has adapted well to the
discipline of university and residence life, attaining first-semester marks in excess of 60% in all
four of her social science subjects.

5. in four years instead of three).They were quite
dubious when she said she would be doing the usual
four subjects. She is therefore particularly amped at
having succeeded in all her first semester courses.”
Zelda thanked INSETA for its generous bursary
support and for creating opportunities for Chaeli
to continue her work as an ability activist.“She has
been very active on campus and her living in res is
definitely changing perceptions of what is possible.
We are very appreciative of the way in which you
are partnering Chaeli in order for her to enjoy a full
student life.”
INSETA CEO Sandra Dunn says this partnership
goes further towards removing the barriers facing
people with disabilities.“Persons with a disability can
add valuable skills and experience to the workplace,
but too many companies still don’t have an adequate
ratio. People like Chaeli are invaluable in helping to
raise awareness of the potential for the workforce.
She sets a shining example of what can be achieved,
and INSETA is honoured to stand behind her,”
she said.
INSETA has provided bursaries to learners to
study in public universities and FET Colleges
for study areas that are scarce and critical skills
in the insurance sector.These include Actuarial
Science; Financial Planning; B Com Insurance and
Risk Management; and NCV Business and Financial
Management.The bursaries are managed by the public
FET or University and are based on a combination of
factors including merit and equity.
Chaeli in her buggy attached to Argus Cycle Tour team mate Grant Kruger’s bicycle
Chaeli Mycroft receiving her cheque from INSETA at the National Disability Awards ceremony

6. INSURANCE INDUSTRY
PLAYERS IDENTIFY TALENTED
BLACK LEARNERS TO PURSUE
ACTUARIAL SCIENCE.
DIVISIONAL INSIGHTS
Key players in the insurance industry partner to identify
talented black learners to pursue actuarial science, INSETA
and MMI Holdings addresses shortage of black actuarial
professionals, The acute shortage of black actuaries is
receiving high-level attention thanks to an industry initiative
to identify and help mentor the budding actuarial talent.
The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority
(INSETA) recently co-funded the inaugural INSETA and
MMI Holdings Actuarial Career Fair for top-performing
Mathematics and Science learners at Melrose Arch in
Johannesburg in July.
Ms. Sandra Dunn, INSETA CEO, said the Fair was a perfect
fit. “INSETA was established to promote skills development
in the insurance industry. Since Actuarial Science is a scarce
and critical skill in the insurance industry, we have a vested
interest in facilitating the development and graduation of
more qualified black actuaries to help fulfill in this critical
need.”
“In this, we share a vision with the Association of South
African Black Actuarial Professionals (ASABA) in its efforts
to address the lack of representation of black actuarial
professionals in the financial services industry, and will
continue to work together to further this cause,” she said.
The one-day Actuarial Fair was hosted by ASABA in an
effort to increase awareness of the actuarial profession
among learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
The event was organised by the ASABA Schools Committee
to encourage potential school learners to consider a career
in Actuarial Science.
Since an actuarial career path requires a high aptitude for
Mathematics and Science, only Grade 11 and 12 learners
with a Mathematics pass rate of above 80% were selected
for this event.
In all, 66 pupils from Gauteng schools including: Dr WV
Vilakazi High School, Bhukulani High School, Lenasia High
School, PACE High School, LEAP School from Linbro Park,
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and Steve
Tswete Secondary School, attended the event.
Melosi Baloyi (ASABA Schools Committee Chairperson and ASABA Executive
Committee member), Sajiv Issuree (ASABA Executive Committee member),
1st prize winner Njabulo Ndaba from PACE High School, 3rd prize winner Ncube
Zenzele from Steve Tswete Sec School, 2nd priz e winner Ntokozo Magagula from
PACE High School, Werner Marx (ASABA Schools Committee member)
Nigel from platinum sponsor MMI passionately gives answers to curious leaners.

7. Actuarial Career
Fair provided quality
information
Learners and their teachers were also introduced to the
South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP),
and given bursary information on Actuarial Science studies at
university. Other Actuarial companies and actuarial bursary
suppliers also had the opportunity to exhibit at the fair.
Learners and teachers had the opportunity to interact with
a number of actuaries and actuarial trainees, enabling them
to obtain as much information on the profession as possible.
Attendees visited exhibits by MMI Holdings, INSETA, (Absa
Bank) and the Actuarial Society of South Africa. Attendees
could enter a mathematical quiz to win four iPads with which
to enhance their study and internet connectivity needs.
Anumberofhigh-profileindustryspeakersgavepresentations
focusing on career advice for aspirant actuaries. Speakers
such as Prof. Steven Jurisich, from WITS University, MMI
media relations executive, Mr. Dan Moyane and Munich Re
CEO, Mr. Junior Ngulube, gave insight on subject choice, the
viability of careers within the industry and management’s
view of candidate actuaries’ career paths
South African London paralympian and Deloitte actuarial
employee Mr Pieter Du Preez drew on his own life
experiences in an uplifting presentation, detailing his struggle
in overcoming a disability, so as to obtain a degree and to
represent his country at the recent 2012 Olympics.
Mr Moyane said he was looking forward to partnering with
the organisors for future events. He urged that the number
of attendees be expanded to several hundreds in an effort to
address skills inequalities.
Sajiv Issuree (MC and ASABA Exco member) hands a gift to MMI Executive and
speaker Dan Moyane.
Sajiv Issuree hands a gift to speakers Pieter and wife Illse Du Preez. Pieter is a
South African London Paralympic finalist.
Learners from The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLA) pose for some photos outside the venue.

8. Justus van Pletzen, CEO of the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA).
and transformation are best addressed through extensive
and on-going investment in human capital. “Transformation
is a challenge,” says Arnold van der Linde, President of
the FIA. “But it is a challenge that we can only address if
we attract new blood to the industry while championing
education, skills development and professionalism at
every opportunity.” The shortage of suitably qualified
insurance professionals is one of the main obstacles that
must be overcome in order for the industry to transform
as envisioned in the Code. In this regard the FIA is working
closely with INSETA to improve the ‘supply’ of qualified
people to the industry.
“There are many opportunities for financial services firms
to provide on-the-job training for suitable candidates,”
says Van der Linde. “We have actively encouraged our
members to open their workplaces to INSETA-subsidised
learnerships, and thereby support the transformation and
up skilling agenda.”
Financial services providers and brokerages have an
opportunity to include transformation in the process and
operational reviews that are already underway as part of
the pending Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) regulation.
“TCF regulation will go a long way towards achieving the
Code’s desire for improved financial access for all,” says Van
Pletzen. “And considering the country’s history one cannot
have fair treatment of consumers without a transformation
component.”
He warns, however, that stakeholders must consider
underlying industry trends when implementing the Code:
“The number of risk and financial advisers plying their
trade in South Africa is in decline for a number of reasons,
including an ageing workforce and the rising compliance
burden.” “Transformation objectives will be best met
by attracting new entrants to the industry and ensuring
that these entrants become employers and owners of
intermediary businesses as the old guard steps down.”
One of the challenges with South Africa’s Broad-Based
Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act 53 of 2003) is
that it is viewed as legislation for large companies. Many
small business owners believe that the Act applies only
to organisations that employ 50 or more people or that
have turnovers in the hundreds of millions of rand. They
also dismiss transformation policies and initiatives with the
line: B-BBEE and similar legislation do not apply because
my company does not conduct business with government.
The Financial Sector Code (Code) – launched on 17 July
2013 and effective from 1 January 2012 – addresses any
misconceptions by clearly stating that natural or juristic
persons conducting a business, trade or profession in the
South African financial sector, including financial services
intermediation and brokerages, have a role to play.
The Code commits all participants in the industry to
promote a transformed, vibrant and globally competitive
financial sector that reflects the demographics of the
country and contributes to the establishment of an
equitable society by providing accessible financial services
to all communities and by directing investment into
targeted sectors of the economy.
“Skills development and transformation are critical issues
that must be addressed by the South African financial
services sector,” says Justus van Pletzen, CEO of the
Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa
(FIA). “Our participation in the Short Term Insurance
sector’s Human Capital Development (HCD) project is
just one example of our commitment to achieving the
objectives set out in the Code.”HCD is a joint initiative by
the FIA, South African Insurance Association, Insurance
Institute of South Africa and South African Underwriting
Managers’ Association – with support from the Insurance
Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) and
the Financial Services Board. The project is based on the
premise that industry challenges such as skills development
INTERMEDIARY BODIES
Education and subsidised learning will spearhead
the intermediary’s drive to
transform the industry

9. INSETA Network
launches Employment
Opportunities Portal
News
I N S I D E R
The INSETA National Skills Development Broker Network (INSETA
Network) recently launched their Employment Opportunities Portal aimed
at interns who have not been permanently placed with employers as well as
other unemployed workers in the insurance industry.
Candidates do not need to be members of the INSETA
Network and there is no cost for them to upload their
profiles.
The portal’s web address is www.insetanetwork.co.za and
can be accessed via the home page.
The INSETA Network is just over a year old and has about
2 000 members already. Its purpose is to support small and
micro independent brokers by making access to INSETA’s
skills development programmes easier.
Dunn says that she is very excited about the portal and looks
forward to report positive results in the near future. “I’m
sure that the Portal will have a solid take-up since we know
that it will positively impact our small brokers and make a
difference to many unemployed workers in the industry.”
“We would like to assist both the employers looking for
suitable candidates and people searching for jobs in the
industry,” says Sandra Dun, INSETA CEO.
“Through the portal we hope to assist small brokers with
their recruitment process and contribute to a lot more
unemployed workers in the industry finding employment
faster. We have dozens of interns on our records who once
they have completed their internships and learnerships, have
not been able to find suitable employment yet,” explains
Dunn.
“There are also hundreds of more experienced workers
in the industry such as FAIS accredited professionals and
support staff, who are currently unemployed. At the same
time, there are many small brokers who find it difficult to
obtain information about potential employees that are
available to fill vacancies. Our portal will no doubt help to
connect people looking for jobs in the industry and small
businesses wanting to recruit suitable staff.”
Through the portal, INSETA hopes to reduce the cost for
small independent brokers to obtain information about
suitable candidates in the industry looking for work. The
INSETA Network does not charge its members for any
candidates listed on the portal that are successfully placed
and neither does it charge a membership fee.
The portal is only available for unemployed candidates
seeking employment in the insurance industry and only the
members of the INSETA Network can view the candidates’
profiles that are uploaded onto the portal.
“The portal will not accept profiles from candidates that are
already employed in the industry, but who wish to change
their jobs,” stresses Dunn.

10. The Insurance Sector Education and
Training Authority (INSETA), assisted
in placing Ms Catherine Pitsi, as a
Business Solutions intern at Frank.
net, between September 2012 and July
2013. Ms Pitsi recalls her experience
as an intern at Frank.net for us.
I had not anticipated it, but my first day at
Frank.net in September 2012 was to be
the beginning of a life-changing experience
for me.
The company’s culture allows one to
grow in one’s career, and also to grow as
an individual.The company’s spirited and
lively ambience comes from its staff.There
is a fusion of personalities with diverse
backgrounds: from the sales agents to
the Chief Executive Officer, all working
together to achieve a common goal.This
kind of energetic atmosphere is important
for an ‘ICT- head’ like me, who thrives in
a high-activity environment when working
with technology infrastructure systems.
I was fortunate to work in a department
that constantly observed ever-evolving
trends.At Frank.net, I found a place
where I was continuously stretched
beyond my limitations.The thrills and joys
that came with working and supporting
the Information Communication
and Technology (ICT) systems were
phenomenal.
At times, it may have been challenging,
but providing valuable assistance to my
colleagues made all my efforts worthwhile.
I learnt the ins-and-outs of the ICT
systems from my team mates and most
importantly, my manager, who was also
my mentor. My manager let me investigate
and solve problems and make decisions
by myself and this allowed me to progress
and mature as an individual.As a result I
have become more patient and my time-
management skills have improved. I cannot
imagine learning as much at another
company as I have at Frank.net.This is all
thanks to my colleagues who imparted
their knowledge freely to me. Since I
started working for Frank.net, different
aspects of my life – not only work-related
- have transformed for the better.
I am humbled and honoured that as an
intern, my manager, and other managers in
the company, entrusted key matters to me
and subsequently gave me the opportunity
to apply all that I have learnt.The belief
that my managers and colleagues had in
me, motivated me to persist in my work,
and I gave everything I had to support the
staff at the company.
The opportunities that Frank.net gives to
its employees are unique, as individuals
are given the chance to enrich their lives
by growing in their careers.At Frank.net
the possibilities are limitless. If I had the
chance to take up an internship at Frank.
net again I would so without hesitation.
I am eternally grateful to my colleagues
who supported me and helped mould me
into the woman I am today.
Aluta Continua
NEWBEGINNINGS
INSETA facilitates an
internship at Frank.net
Ms Cathrine Pitsi

11. GROWING SOUTH AFRICA
BY DEVELOPING YOU

12. W W W. I N S E TA . O R G . Z A
Physical Address
Oakhurst, North Wing, Ground Floor
11 St.Andrews Road Parktown
2193
Johannesburg
Postal Address
P.O. Box 32035
Braamfontein
2017
Johannesburg
Telephone: 011 544 2000
Fax: 011 484 0862
Call Center: 0861 130 013
Email: insetacallcentre@inseta.org.za
Website: www.inseta.org.za