Andile Jonas, Head of Marketing at Momentum Savings, says financial advice offers expertise, objectivity and long-term planning support that most individuals struggle to manage alone, helping people avoid costly mistakes and make better financial decisions.
Luke Morawitz, Country Manager of Allianz Trade South Africa, says rising geopolitical tensions and higher global cost pressures are increasing insolvency risks for businesses, making cash-flow resilience and stronger credit risk management more important than ever.
Mpumi Tyikwe, CEO of Sasria, says the insurer’s strong financial recovery and capital growth position it to expand its mandate, strengthen resilience, and better address emerging risks such as climate-related events and socio-economic shocks.
Allianz Trade has appointed Luke Morawitz as Country Manager for South Africa, effective 1 February 2026, while he retains his role as Head of Credit. A 14-year veteran of the business, Morawitz succeeds into the leadership role reporting to Luca Burrafato, Head of MMEA.
The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 highlights cyber incidents as the top global risk for a fifth year, with AI surging to second place amid rapid adoption, while geopolitical tensions, regulation, and business interruption continue reshaping the global risk landscape.
Andile Jonas, Head of Marketing at Momentum Savings, says financial advice offers expertise, objectivity and long-term planning support that most individuals struggle to manage alone, helping people avoid costly mistakes and make better financial decisions.
Anri Armer, Financial Adviser at Momentum Financial Planning, says many lifelong financial habits originate from lessons taught by parents, but professional financial advice helps transform those foundational money behaviours into structured strategies for long-term financial growth and resilience.
Murray Anderson, Head of Retail at Prescient Investment Management, says retirement plans often fail because of underestimated long-term costs rather than insufficient savings, highlighting the need for realistic cashflow planning and sustained exposure to growth assets throughout retirement.
Senton Pillay, Provincial Head at Momentum Financial Planning, says rising living costs and stagnant wages are placing South African households under severe pressure, making professional financial advice essential for improving resilience, managing debt and protecting long-term financial security.
Daniel Malan, Founder and CIO of Perspective Investment Management, says major oil producers like Exxon Mobil and TotalEnergies have significantly strengthened profitability through disciplined restructuring, but questions whether leadership will hedge elevated oil prices despite the long-term strategic advantages of doing so.
Margo-Ann Werner, Environment Legal Director at Pinsent Masons, says South Africa’s low-carbon sector is attracting strong investor interest, but greater regulatory certainty and scalable infrastructure will be essential to unlock sustainable growth and accelerate the energy transition.
Refilwe Moroka’s appointment as CIO of Momentum Securities strengthens the firm’s investment leadership, bringing deep expertise in research and portfolio management to enhance governance, performance discipline and long-term client outcomes.
Craig Mockford, CEO of Prescient Fund Services, says the Prescient Freedom Paddle reflects a commitment to consistent, purpose-driven impact, supporting ocean conservation and funding life-changing surgeries while reinforcing the importance of long-term sustainability and community support.
Werner Strydom’s appointment as CEO of GENRIC Insurance marks a leadership transition focused on continuity and growth, leveraging his deep internal experience to build on the company’s entrepreneurial culture and drive expansion in specialised insurance markets.
Sherry Sibeko, Executive Head for Personal Lines at Miway Insurance, emphasises that understanding policy details, including cover, exclusions, costs and conditions, is essential for consumers to make informed decisions and avoid unexpected claim outcomes.
Christelle Colman, CEO and Founder of Ami Underwriting Managers, says Guaranteed Value Cover gives homeowners flexibility by offering an alternative to valuations, helping reduce the risk of underinsurance and unexpected reduced payouts at claims stage.
Tandiwe Cimela, Executive of ELITE Risk Acceptances, says sustainable business success is built on consistency, accountability and sound judgement, emphasising that while technology enhances efficiency, strong leadership and disciplined decision-making remain essential to long-term resilience.
Sam Nkosi, Chief Information Officer at Santam, says the company’s full migration of its core insurance platform to the cloud enhances resilience, scalability and innovation, enabling faster service, improved reliability and better long-term customer outcomes.
Xolani Nxanga, Managing Executive for Microinsurance at Guardrisk, says microinsurance cell captives are expanding access to affordable insurance by lowering capital requirements and enabling businesses to offer simple, cost-effective cover to underserved markets.
The African Insurance Awards (AIA) 2026 will take place on 7 June 2026 in Cairo, celebrating excellence and innovation across the industry. Nominations are open until 13 April 2026 across categories including CEO, Insurance Company, Innovation, and InsurTech of the Year.
Webber Wentzel partners, say South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy marks a major shift toward formal AI regulation, urging organisations to strengthen governance, engage in public consultation, and prepare for a multi-regulatory, sector-specific compliance environment.
Lumetrade by Lumepay introduces institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure in Africa, enabling faster, transparent, and compliant cross-border transactions, addressing costly inefficiencies in traditional banking systems and positioning digital assets as a viable rail for value transfer across the continent.
Marriott Investment Managers says integrating AI into its investment process enhances analytical depth and efficiency, allowing analysts to focus on judgement and decision-making, while maintaining a disciplined, long-term dividend-focused philosophy supported by strong governance.
Andre Symes, CEO of Genasys, says the appointment of Hugh Hessing and Gavin Routledge strengthens the company’s leadership, bringing deep industry and strategic expertise to support its growth as a mid-market challenger in insurance technology.
Personalisation is evolving but remains underutilised. Andrew Solomon, Client Strategy Director at Achievement Awards Group, explores its challenges—data complexity, AI integration, and resource constraints. Despite these hurdles, businesses can start small, refine strategies, and gradually enhance customer engagement through tailored experiences.
Complaints are an inevitable aspect of running a business. Handling these customer grievances effectively is crucial, not only for maintaining a good relationship with the complaining customer but also for safeguarding your business’s reputation - especially in an era where social media can amplify an individual’s voice
Janeesha Ragubeer, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, foresees a promising season ahead for South African small businesses, offering her insights on three actionable strategies to help them flourish this spring.
