20 Jun Welcoming our new graduates and a familiar face

As from the beginning of April this year, our 2023 Interns and Learners transitioned into permanent positions at Safire. We are proud of their achievements and congratulate them all on successfully completing their respective 12-month Internship and Learnership Programmes. Welcome to #TeamSafire!

They are, from left to right:

Andiswa Nene – Finance Administrator
Nkanyiso Chonco – Marketing Assistant
Timika Maharaj – Governance Administrator
Kay Mbhense – HR Assistant
Denroy Bloem – Junior Underwriter
Sherice Pillay – Recoveries Administrator
Tarryn Bentley – Junior Underwriter
Tamia Pillay – HR Administrator
Phumzile Dube – Junior Underwriter

Absent from the photo:

Jabulani Mciza – Operations Assistant
Priyanka Singh – Finance Administrator

We are delighted to welcome back Hloni Dlamini, who was one of the very first group of Learners, starting her Safire journey in February 2018 in the Underwriting department to ‘understand the basics’ as she puts it, before settling in the Legal department. Having left Safire to complete her Articles of Clerkship, we are proud she has chosen to return to Safire as our Legal and Compliance Officer in the Governance department.

She explains, “My initial experience at Safire laid a solid foundation for my career and my return has allowed me to apply the valuable lessons I have acquired over time – becoming an Admitted Attorney demanded immense dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Returning to Safire was a realisation of how I could share these qualities with individuals of all ages, helping them to thrive and succeed. Working with my team is fantastic, and the strong sense of camaraderie within the company is a pleasure to see. I believe the company has taken a commendable initiative with their Learnership and Internship programmes, and it would be highly advantageous for the learners and interns to fully utilise this opportunity. This is their chance to leave a lasting impression, so they should seize it!”

Hloni is seen here with the new interns and learners (from left to right):

Seyuri Pillay – Intern, Department: HR
Sanele Bhengu – Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)
Amanda Ngobese – Intern, Department: Claims
Corey Smith – Intern, Department: Claims
Luyanda Mabaso – Intern, Department: Governance
Tyrelle Jaglall – Intern, Department: Governance
Hloni Dlamini – Legal and Compliance Officer: Governance
Jashan Gounder – Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)
Shweta Bridjlal– Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)
Michael Thomas – Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)
Luyanda Ngcobo – Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)
Caitlyn Davids – Learner, Department: Underwriting (New Business)

Megan Stella, Safire Chief Operating Officer, says, “In June, Youth Month, we celebrate the young people who have become part of the Safire team. Our company’s investment in the youth begins at primary school level, with our Safire scholarship programme pupils being mentored and educated until they matriculate at some of the country’s top educational institutions that partner with us in this life-changing programme, such as Cordwalles Preparatory School, Michaelhouse, and Maritzburg College. We also have our two post-school in-house youth programmes, namely the Safire Learnership and Safire Internship programmes.”

Safire Learnership Programme

The Safire Learnership Programme was launched on 1 February 2018 and offers unemployed youngsters with tertiary qualifications an opportunity to complete a 12-month learning period with Safire. This provides them with invaluable practical experience and insight into the corporate environment and allows them to work closely with Safire’s industry experts in several fields.

Safire Internship Programme

After completing twelve months as learners, during which time they complete the FETC in Short Term Insurance NQF L4, the candidates could proceed to our Internship programme for a further year if there is capacity within the company, or they may accept full-time positions with other employers. Not all members of the Learnership programme progress on to Internship, and Interns may be selected from outside the Learnership programme. Those who stay with Safire and complete their period of Internship successfully may be fortunate enough to become permanent employees.

Both the Safire Learnership and Internship programmes are run in conjunction with INSETA (Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority). All learners and interns receive a stipend every month.

Megan emphasises that the Safire youth programme members have the same benefits of working at Safire as full-time personnel, which has a significant impact on the company’s resources. “However, we feel that this investment is worth it – we have seen over the past few years how these promising young people thrive within Safire’s diverse working environment, giving them all hands-on experience and a thorough understanding of the short-term insurance industry. The time spent at Safire, working with our many departmental experts, enables them to make informed decisions about their future career paths. We wish them everything of the best for the exciting times ahead.”