Mologadi Kekana assumed the role of Head of Alternative Distribution at MiWay a year ago. Her role is to source new business for MiWay from outside of its primary sales channels. Over the past several years, the insurance industry has been disrupted by waves of innovation driven by technology, a more demanding consumer market and the influx of new entrants unburdened by legacy systems. In this context, Mologadi’s role must combine an acute understanding of an extremely complex and fast-moving fintech environment as well as how to leverage the company’s existing customer base and approach.
Another key success lever will be her ability to collaborate with her team and colleagues across the whole organisation in order to generate and implement new ideas. Innovation is not just about coming up with new ideas, but identifying which ones will work and then implementing them successfully.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
Tembisa is where I was born and where I spent the first 15 years of my life. We moved to what was then called Verwoerdburgstad, now Centurion, after our first democratic elections in 1995. Those two radically different worlds shaped who I am today.
2. Why did you choose this career path?
After 15 years in the automotive industry and after completing my MBA, I transitioned into the insurance industry. Financial services has been on my radar for quite some time, and there’s an obvious connection between automotive and short-term insurance. I was delighted when I walked through the doors of MiWay for my interview. The ambience in the office and the people I saw walking in and out of the offices made me curious about what it would be like to join the MiWay family.
3. Describe a typical workday.
Daily, I monitor sales. Collaboration with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, is part of our daily work. We would therefore generally have multiple meetings to review and adjust our tactics.
4. What do you love most about your job?
I have found it very fulfilling to work with the people in my team and others outside my department. Our ability to learn from others is enhanced when we collaborate with them. Our environment is also very dynamic. Because of this, we are constantly required to be creative, which can prove exciting (or frustrating).
5. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
As a child, I believed I would work in advertising. My fascination stemmed from watching a soapie, Generations, back in the early 1990s. The characters were young, hip, and African, and the portrayal of the industry was inspiring to me.
6. What is the best advice anyone has given you?
My mother embodied the importance of being financially independent as a woman, and she made sure I got the message. As a result of the advice, I have learned how to take responsibility for both my life and my choices.
7. If you could do any other job, what would it be?
The most important thing for me is to be present in the moment and to learn from the lessons in front of me.
8. What advice would you give your younger self?
The younger version of me could teach the older version of myself to remain bold.
9. What are the top three things on your bucket list and why?
- Travel more – I enjoy learning about other cultures and seeing how other people live.
- Learn French – I feel it would be useful during my travels and I will benefit from knowing the language. I am also interested in exploring learning opportunities beyond my normal academic sphere.
- Be Debt Free – I don’t like the idea of debt and paying bills. My mind is playing with the idea of living a minimalist lifestyle. My next task will be to convince myself—that could be the hard part!
10. What’s your secret talent/party trick?
Eish, I don’t do party tricks and have no secret talents, unfortunately.
11. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around your industry at the moment?
COVID has stressed the importance of finding alternative methods to engage with clients. Creating digital systems that are user-friendly and meet clients’ needs are key to success in sales and after-sales. Therefore, I would say that digitisation is the buzzword.
12. How do you achieve a work/life balance?
I’m working on getting closer to an ideal work/life balance. However, at this time, this is still a myth.
13. What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt?
I love the quote by Oscar Wilde – “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” It would be a disservice to myself and the world if I were anything other than me.
