Mid-Year Progress Report: Insurance Institute of Gauteng Roots and Wings Mentorship Journey

As the CEO of Merlin Gold, it is both my privilege and my responsibility to lead the charge in fostering a culture of mentorship and development within our organization and the broader insurance sector. Today, I am thrilled to share our mid-year progress on the Roots and Wings mentorship program, particularly focusing on our dynamic mentor-mentee pair, Myself and Tlhologelo Legodi from Nedbank Insure.

Over the past five months, we have embarked on a transformative journey designed to develop not just skills and capabilities, but also emotional intelligence and resilience. From February to June 2025, we have focused on a series of crucial topics to empower Tlhologelo both personally and professionally.

February 2025 - Getting Started: Building Trust and Emotional Awareness

Our journey commenced with an essential focus on building a strong foundation of trust between myself and Tlhologelo. Understanding Tlhologelo’s emotional state, challenges, and career aspirations was paramount to establishing a rapport that would facilitate open dialogue and growth. This initial phase set the groundwork for further development, allowing Tlhologelo to embark on a collaborative journey of self-discovery.

March 2025 - Emotional Intelligence and Self-Management

With a strong foundation in place, our next focus was on enhancing Tlhologelo’s emotional intelligence (EQ). Developing EQ is vital in the fast-paced world of insurance, where stress and challenging client interactions are part of the daily landscape. We worked on strategies that enabled Tlhologelo to self-manage, enhancing not only his professional interactions but also his personal resilience. Tlhologelo began to navigate challenging situations with confidence, demonstrating significant progress in his ability to manage stress effectively.

April 2025 - Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution

Communication is essential in any profession, but in the insurance industry, the ability to communicate effectively during conflict cannot be underestimated. We dedicated April to strengthening Tlhologelo’s communication skills, particularly in handling difficult conversations and resolving conflicts. The results have been impressive; Tlhologelo has shown commendable growth in conveying his thoughts clearly and resolving disputes amicably, laying the groundwork for better relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

May 2025 - Time Management and Managing Workload

May brought its own set of challenges, notably in managing workload while maintaining emotional balance. Tlhologelo learned techniques to prioritize tasks, delegate where appropriate, and maintain his motivation even during peak periods. With newfound strategies for managing time and tasks, he has demonstrated an increased ability to cope with demanding workloads without sacrificing his emotional health.

June 2025 - Emotional Resilience in High-Stakes Claims Handling

Finally, we turned our focus to one of the most critical aspects of our industry: handling high-stakes or high-value claims. In June, Tlhologelo developed emotional resilience, learning to maintain composure and focus under pressure. This development is not only pivotal for his current role but lays a strong foundation for future leadership positions he may pursue.

Looking Ahead: July - October 2025 - Advanced Career Development and Leadership Skills

As we look forward to the next phase of our mentorship journey, we will transition into advanced career development and leadership skills. This focus will prepare Tlhologelo for potential leadership roles within the claims department, honing advanced professional skills to guide him as he shapes his future.

Through these five months, we have seen remarkable progress in Tlhologelo's growth. His commitment to this journey, paired with my dedicated mentorship, has created an incredible synergy that speaks to the essence of the Roots and Wings program.

At Merlin Gold, we understand that investing in the youth of South Africa and Africa as a whole is pivotal for our future within the insurance sector. Mentorship is not just a program; it's a commitment to empowering the next generation. We would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Insurance Institute of Gauteng and all sponsors who have made this initiative possible. Your support is invaluable, and together, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

As we move forward, let us remain committed to fostering mentorship and growth in our industry, continuing to invest in our youth, for it is through mentorship and support that we will see our sector thrive and evolve in a competitive landscape.

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey.

Phillo Khosa

CEO, Merlin Gold