Heritage, at its core is about legacy, something worthwhile and often tangible that we can pass on to those who come after us. For some it's culture, for others a name, and for many still it is identity; that sense of – I wouldn't be who I am without … fill in the blank.
It has become somewhat of an unspoken rule in the month of September that the only aspect of our heritage we celebrate is our ethnicity. What if we used this month to reflect on the inheritance left for us in all the spaces we fill, including the workplace? What if, in turn, we reflected on the legacy we were leaving behind for those who come after us in the various industries we fill?The local insurance industry is evolving, but there would be nothing to evolve if it were not for visionaries before us who thought to dedicate their lives to this industry so we could have something to build upon one day.
While we may not be able to list each and every single one of the great men and women who have made a contribution to this industry, we thought to say a few names nonetheless, so as to acknowledge them and shine a light on their great efforts with gratitude for the impact they have had and continue to have on the South African insurance landscape. These three industry giants have served as the last three presidents of the Insurance Institute of South Africa.
Daryl De Vos
With nearly 40-years' experience in the insurance and reinsurance sector, Daryl De Vos is an established contributor in the local insurance industry. Having been part of two start-up black-owned insurance companies and having been at the forefront of the establishment of the African Reinsurance Corporation, he has paved the way for many within the sector. Daryl was a president of the IISA from July 2017 to July 2020.
Delphine Maidou
In her decades of experience in the industry, Delphine Maidou has served on many prestigious boards, and has had a great impact on the development of Allianz's business on the African continent. Originally from Burkina Faso, Delphine has consistently been ranked as one of the top economic leaders of tomorrow by the Choiseul 100 Africa study. Her experience in the sector crosses continents. Delphine was a president of the IISA from July 2015 to July 2017.
Peter Todd
Peter boasts over 20 years of financial services industry experience, both in Africa and abroad. He has a number of business interests in the claims management space. He also spent six years in Singapore as the Regional Managing Director of Alexander Forbes Asia Pacific. Peter has served as a director on a number of insurance industry boards, including the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) as a past president. He was a president of the IISA from 2013 to 2015.
These are but SOME of the industry's pioneers and former IISA Presidents. They are not in any form conclusive of the great talent and legacy that has built up this sector. They are however, the recent past three presidents and we are proud of and identify with. All of these exceptional men and women have served as part of the IISA Board of Directors among other great leaders.
