Santam, South Africa's largest general insurer, has recorded a solid performance for the half year ended 30 June 2026, with growth of 10% (June 2025: 10%) in Gross Written Premium (GWP), an 8.1% (June 2025: 11.3%) Underwriting Margin (UWM) and a 6% (June 2025: 16%) rise in Net Earned Premium (NEP).
Having previously served as General Manager for Kenya, bolttech has promoted Ms Bente Krogmann to the role of General Manager, Africa, an expanded regional role leading the InsurTech's business across the region, including Kenya and South Africa.
Nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents aged under 60, in a recent survey, have a retirement plan-up significantly from 60% in 2025, according to a report released by First National Bank (FNB), one of South Africa's "Big Four" banks.
Santam Re, under Santam Insurance, has promoted Ms Izabela Stofberg to the role of CUO. At the time of her promotion, she was Cluster Market Head of Europe, Turkiye and Partnerships.
In May 2026, successive low-pressure systems brought destructive flooding, landslides and damaging winds to large parts of South Africa, and caused fatalities, widespread damage to buildings and major infrastructure disruption across long stretches of coastline and interior provinces.
Life insurance members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) settled 94.1% of death claims under individual life, credit life, funeral, and universal life policies in 2025, paying beneficiaries ZAR44.2bn ($2.7bn) in benefits. In 2024, 95.6% of death claims were paid to a value of ZAR39.5bn.
Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) (SEMM), part of Sanlam Group of South Africa, has received approval to acquire a stake in Shriram Life Insurance Company.
South African life and non-life insurers continue to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment, says S&P Global Ratings (S&P).
Sanlam, a leading pan-African financial services group focused on emerging markets, delivered a strong performance in the first quarter of 2026, supported by resilient client activity, strong growth in new business and very strong net inflows from clients.
Price Forbes has announced the appointments of Mr Alvin Dye, Mr Kagiso Sephiphi and Mr Paul Jacobs to its newly formed construction team in South Africa. The appointments form part of a joint venture with Price Forbes' London construction team.