Santam (only insurer) rated among top ten companies in SA for accountability

Santam, SA's largest short-term insurer was the only player within the insurance industry to be rated in the top ten in the latest SA companies 'Accountability Rating' conducted by the Unisa Centre for Corporate Citizenship (CCC), using a model provided by global non-profit organisation,  AccountAbility.

Companies are scored in six "domains": strategy, governance, stakeholder engagement, performance management, public disclosure and assurance.

Elitie Links, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Santam says, "We feel very honoured to be recognised for our ongoing quest in becoming increasingly socially responsible in all that we do.

"We add this prestigious accolade to our rating as top primary insurance company on the African continent by the esteemed global insurance and reinsurance publication, Reactions, and being ranked number one short-term insurer in SA in the latest edition of Top 500, which features South Africas best managed companies, among other.

"Santam is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance. We recognise the importance of balancing, as closely as possible, the interests of stakeholders with those of the company and with the broader interests of society. Being transparent regarding our efforts is important to us."

Links says that Santam is guided by and comply with the recommendations of the Code of Corporate Governance as defined in the King II report. We are also included on the JSE SRI Index and have received an "A" rating on the FSC Scorecard.

"We have spent much time in engaging stakeholders, which include disadvantaged members of the public, uncovering their requirements and developing products and services to provide for their specific needs.

"By anticipating business risks we have successfully informed our long-term decision making. The challenge for the future is to create more socially responsible growth within our mainstream products and to continue to actively communicate with all stakeholders, responding to their needs and concerns."