ASABA honours Old Mutual’s Karabo Morule

The Association of South African Black Actuarial Professionals (ASABA) has recognised Karabo Morule, Managing Director of Old Mutual Personal Finance, with the Inkanyezi Award for her valuable contributions to the actuarial profession.

Morule, who is the second black female actuary to qualify in South Africa, the first black woman to head up the Old Mutual Personal Finance division and the first black female actuary to serve on Old Mutual’s executive committee, was commended by the Actuarial Women's Committee (AWC) for her personal and professional success, mentorship to other women in financial services, and leadership in business and the greater community.

Morule said she is grateful for the opportunity to make a contribution and takes great pride in being a member of the actuarial profession in South Africa.

“It’s an honour to be recognised by the Actuarial Women’s Committee of ASABA, an association working to promote actuarial science as a career to many black South Africans who may not have considered it previously. As a qualified actuary, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy the support of many of my peers and colleagues in my career and am proud to be giving back to a profession which plays such an important role in the South African insurance and finance landscape.”

She added: “It’s truly an exciting time to be part of the actuarial profession and we have a valuable contribution to make to the dialogue around access to financial services, new legislation such as the retail distribution review, the development of infrastructure taking mobility into account, and long term thinking in the context of SA Inc. We have a role to play in the public sector as well, at national and even municipal level. Through coaching and development we are making the industry more accessible and inclusive of all South Africans.”

The award, presented at ASABA’s Annual Conference Gala Dinner, follows on Morule’s selection earlier this year as a 2018 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

According to Memory Zimba, Chairperson of the AWC and President Elect of ASABA, Morule easily met the criteria for the award: “Karabo was awarded the Inkanyezi Award not only for her many accomplishments, but for always availing herself to the AWC and her continued support of ASABA. To me personally, she is a role model and mentor. She creates time despite her busy schedule to provide guidance and challenge my thinking, echoing the saying that ‘an actuary who is just an actuary is not an actuary’.”

“There is much to be done to bring more previously disadvantaged South Africans, especially women, into the actuarial profession. I believe that I have much more to contribute and feel very privileged to be honoured by ASABA in this way,” concluded Morule.