At the same time, regulatory developments in the e-hailing space are raising barriers to entry, increasing compliance requirements, and potentially altering the economics for operators. Add to this the impact of global events on fuel prices, and the pressure on margins becomes clear. For insurers and underwriting managers, this creates a delicate balancing act: supporting growth while maintaining sustainability.

“Our approach is rooted in collaboration. If you don’t innovate, you’ll be left behind,” Mgodeli states. Rather than dictating terms, RTU positions itself as a partner across the value chain, working with brokers, fleet operators, and clients to design solutions that are practical, scalable, and aligned with real-world conditions.

This partnership model reflects a broader shift in the industry. Insurance is no longer a standalone product; it is part of a wider ecosystem that includes financing, procurement, and operational management.

Brokers, in particular, are playing an increasingly strategic role. “The broker is evolving,” Mgodeli explains. “From a traditional intermediary to a risk specialist.” This evolution is driven by necessity. In a complex, high-risk environment like passenger transport, clients need more than a policy, they need guidance, insight, and support across their entire operation.

Modern brokers in this space are deeply involved in their clients’ businesses, understanding everything from fleet composition and driver management to financing structures and cost dynamics. The conversation has shifted away from price alone to a more holistic focus on efficiency, sustainability, and risk mitigation. It is a far more integrated and collaborative approach. For RTU, maintaining a broker-centric model is non-negotiable. The broker remains the primary distribution channel, but also a critical link between insurer and client, a role that is becoming more valuable as complexity increases.

Looking ahead, Mgodeli offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of mobility in South Africa. The next generation, he suggests, will view transport very differently. Where previous generations prioritised ownership, of cars, homes, and assets, younger consumers are embracing flexibility. They are less attached to physical ownership and more focused on access, convenience, and digital integration.

“They want to be digital citizens,” he says. This mindset shift has profound implications for the insurance industry. Products, distribution models, and service delivery will all need to adapt to a world where usage-based models, platform integration, and real-time engagement become the norm.

At the same time, cost pressures will continue to shape the market. Rising fuel prices, increased compliance costs, and tightening margins for operators may lead to higher claims frequencies and greater strain on underwriting results. For insurers, the challenge will be to anticipate these pressures and work proactively with clients to manage them.

As always in this sector, there are no easy answers. But there is one certainty: Passenger transport will remain a critical enabler of economic activity and social mobility in South Africa. And as it evolves, so too must the insurance solutions that support it. In a market where millions rely on these systems every day, getting that balance right is not just a business imperative, it is a societal one.

And in true South African fashion, it promises to remain anything but dull.

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