Unfortunately, however, for the first time, there are no Hollardites in the final group of the reality show-style competition, the brainchild of FAnews. (We had one finalist in 2015, two in 2016 and three in 2017.)
That’s not to say that Hollardites didn’t feature in the elimination rounds this time around. Four – Lenna Jood, Samantha Dreyer, Vusi Mavunda and Sasha Smith – all made it into the top 30, out of 204 original applications. That’s a helluva accomplishment in anyone’s eyes! Well done to the four of you, you’re all winners in our eyes!
This in itself is a tremendous achievement, as competition is becoming stiffer every year, and it illustrates the depth of young professional talent at Hollard. While it’s obviously disappointing not to have any Hollardites in the final group, we’re very proud of our four who nearly made it – they acquitted themselves well, and they held the Hollard name high throughout.
"The panel members had a tough call but this process eased the way forward in determining who the final contestants would be. Having chosen the final eight, we are confident in our decision and we look forward to filming the fourth series of The Insurance Apprentice early next year," says Rianet Whitehead, editor of FAnews and organiser of The Insurance Apprentice.
Filming takes place from 7 to 12 January 2018, with the participants undergoing a series of challenges – one of which is provided by Hollard, as a Gold sponsor of The Insurance Apprentice. The series will be broadcast in early 2018 via the FAnews and The Insurance Apprentice websites, as well as on YouTube and Facebook.
Next week, the eight will spend two days undergoing mentor training and camera training so that when it comes to the competition itself, they can play at their best – and look their best.
We would like to congratulate the final eight participants and wish them all of the best for the series. And to all the Hollardites who entered, we’re very proud of you for even putting your hand up to participate in what is known to be an experience not for the faint-hearted.
We’ve got a feeling in our Purple bones that next year’s Insurance Apprentice winner is destined to have Purple blood running through their veins.
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