Colin Lunsky, of Durban-based HTI Insurance Brokers, edged out Hollard's Palesa Mochane and Discovery's Mitesh Lakha to win the reality show-style competition, which is presented by FAnews. Hollard is a Gold sponsor of the competition.
Here's the final video of the series, of the winner announcement event in Sandton:
Head judge Simon Colman told the audience that all of the eight finalists had done themselves and their employers proud throughout. In particular, the top three had done well, he said, adding that “the scores were down to fractions”.
FAnews editor Rianet Whitehead said that The Insurance Apprentice is intended to showcase to the world that the insurance industry “is not about call centres, funeral policies and pyramid schemes – we hope”.
“We are empowering the leaders of tomorrow. We need them in this industry,” she said.
Whitehead thanked all of the event, episode and prize sponsors, saying: “If there was a better word to use tonight than ‘thank you’, I would use it for the sponsors in particular.”
During individual Q&A sessions with the apprentices, Mochane said that “I grew so much personally” and “being in the final three is amazing”. She had entered The Insurance Apprentice doubting herself, but it had given her the opportunity to develop as an individual.
Master of ceremonies Nico Panagio then announced the apprentices’ final positions: Mochane was in third place, Lakha in second and Lunsky was the winner.
Lunsky, who among several prizes received R15 000 in cash from Hollard, immediately announced that he was donating another of his prizes – a R75 000 Inseta study bursary – to Florida Park High School so that a deserving pupil can have a golden opportunity.
“I really didn’t think I was going to win,” said Lunsky, who paid tribute to his fellow apprentices, Lakha in particular. “I think [The Insurance Apprentice] is an incredible initiative for the youth of this industry.”
We are proud of Palesa for making it to the top 3, as she truly embodies what it means to live the Hollard Way!
