And the winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2026 is...

We’re down to 5 contestants, and the stakes have never been higher. The Top 3 contestants at the end of this episode will advance to the finale - and the pressure is on.

After weeks of grit, growth, and unforgettable moments, the journey has reached its grand finale - and the winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2026 has officially been crowned!

Congratulations to Karabo Mashego on this incredible achievement and well-deserved victory.

Karabo stood out throughout The Insurance Apprentice 2026 for her unique combination of emotional intelligence, authenticity, and unwavering determination. She consistently demonstrated strong leadership, an ability to navigate complex team dynamics, and a willingness to learn from every challenge. Rather than changing who she was to fit the competition, she remained true to her values, contributed meaningfully to her team, and embraced feedback. Her resilience, passion for the insurance industry, and ability to balance innovation with a human-centred approach ultimately distinguished her from the field.

Episode 7… the finale
The finale, hosted by the brilliant Thapelo Mokoena, showcased the talent and grit of this year’s contestants and the dedication of a judging panel led by Simon Colman (head judge) and Nox Dlamini (co-judge), alongside an incredible lineup of guest judges who helped shape the journey of every apprentice.

With Santam as the episode sponsor and Sasria SOC Ltd as the headline sponsor, Episode 7 celebrated the spirit of transformation and excellence that TIA is known for. A special thank you to Kunene Makopo Risk Solutions (KMRS), our official venue sponsor, for making the finale setting unforgettable.

During the evening’s proceedings, the contestants graced the stage to share their reflections on TIA 2026 and what it represents for them.

The evening also featured powerful audience questions and reflections from judges Simon Colman and Nox Dlamini, Muzi Dladla - Executive Manager of Stakeholder Management at Sasria SOC Ltd, Alicia Narainsamy - Executive Head: Digital Innovation and Nancy Danso - PR, Brand and Marketing Manager at Santam Specialist Solutions.

The moment everyone had been waiting for followed, as the Top 3 took centre stage for the winner announcement, with Karabo being crowned the champion. Congratulations as well to finalists Asanda Magwaza and Tyrell Moodley for making it to the Top 3 and delivering exceptional performances throughout the season.

Reflecting on the win
Reflecting on her win, Karabo said: “I can't even begin to explain what this experience means to me and my career. Every failure, every wrong turn, every mishap has led me to this moment. There are days when I’ve doubted myself, my abilities, and my skills. This experience has allowed me to appreciate it all and understand that all things work together for my good. What initially started as a crash landing into a career has suddenly felt like a well-curated and planned story by God.”

As the winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2026, Karabo’s journey reflects authenticity, resilience, and emotional intelligence in shaping future industry leaders. She now focuses on maximising the platform and contributing meaningfully to the industry.

Prizes, prizes, prizes
This year’s winner walked away with incredible rewards, thanks to:

• Lloyd’s: R75 000 prize
• Aon: R100 000 cash prize
• Discovery Insure: R100 000 investment prize
• Elite Risk Acceptances: a luxury trip to Mauritius, valued at R100 000
• INSETA: Sponsoring the winner to attend the Global Executive Development Programme (GEDP) worth R375 000
• Milpark Education: Bursary valued at R100 000
• Global Choices: Tech prize
• Paton Personnel: Leadership Development Coaching Programme
• New National Assurance: Corporate photos
• Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA): AIE 2026 Conference ticket

And let’s not forget the viewers! Congratulations to the lucky fan who won R20 000 in cash from Sasria SOC Ltd just for watching the show and voting for their favourite contestant, as well as to the recipient of business risk advisory services valued at R50 000, sponsored by Aon South Africa.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
The Insurance Apprentice 2026 was made possible through the incredible support of our sponsors. A special thank you to our Diamond Sponsor: Sasria SOC Ltd, and Platinum Sponsors: Santam and Old Mutual Insure. Our Titanium Sponsors: Aon South Africa, Bryte Insurance, the FSCA and INSETA - alongside Gold Sponsors Standard Bank Insurance Brokers, The Liability Company, Lloyd’s of London, and KMRS, and Silver sponsors Discovery Insure, Elite Risk Acceptances, and Hollard Insure.

We’re also grateful to our Bronze Sponsors Auto & General, Insurance Crime Bureau, ABSA, Fulcrum, Global Choices, New National, Leppard, iTOO Special Risks, HDI Global, Milpark, QSURE and the IISA. Your commitment and investment are shaping the future of insurance leadership.

Congratulations, Karabo!
The Insurance Apprentice team extends our heartfelt congratulations to Karabo, on winning the title of The Insurance Apprentice 2026 - serving not only as a powerful voice for the insurance industry but also as a role model for future apprentices.

We also want to applaud every contestant who dared to step into the spotlight this year. From the Top 20 to the Top 10, Top 6, and Top 3, each of you has contributed to raising the standard and showing that the future of the insurance industry is more promising than ever.

Become a part of the journey
Stay tuned to TIA’s channels as we continue to share content, upcoming initiatives, and how YOU can become part of this journey.

Also, a reminder that applications for The Insurance Apprentice 2027 are officially open and close on 30 September 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to challenge yourself, grow your skills, and make your mark on the industry - or encourage your organisation’s brightest talent to step forward and showcase their potential on a national stage.

Watch now!
A big thank you to the Santam for sponsoring the finale.

Catch the episode here:

• To watch the episode on YouTube, click HERE
• To watch it on the website click HERE
• To watch it on Facebook, click HERE