Ubuntu in Action from South African Insurance Heroes

In the midst of twitter wars and political sparring – and during Anti-Racism Week – comes an inspiring tale from South Africa of the real SA people who are quietly getting on with building a caring and harmonious society…going beyond the call of their jobs to help others. True Ubuntu!

The two heroes are Tumi Selau and Clement Molemela, employees in MiWay’s Retentions Department.

Towards the end of last year, Tumi was contacted by a client – widower Mr Dreyer, who had lost his wife to breast cancer the year before. Mr Dreyer asked that his long-standing policy be cancelled because he needed to cut down on expenses, after having been medically boarded because of terminal throat cancer.

Tumi was so touched by Mr Dreyer’s plight that he discussed it with his manger, Clement, and together they decided it would be awful for Mr Dreyer to be without the security of insurance, and worried about money in his last months.

In an incredibly inspiring act of generosity, they decided to cover Mr Dreyer’s premiums out of their own pockets.

Clement said, “I was inspired by Mr Dryer as he didn’t feel sorry for himself. He had lost so much but he was still an awesome person to speak to on the phone.

“Here is a man who lost his wife two years ago to cancer and his life is also hanging by a thread due to the same disease. Despite being medically boarded, he was still positive, still respectful and encouraging.

“He spoke love in spite of what life was throwing at him.”

“He spoke love in spite of what life was throwing at him. I will remember that man for as long as I live.”

Sadly, Mr Dreyer died in February…but thankfully his last days were untroubled by worries about insurance and how to pay his premiums.

“All of us have been bowled over by the compassion and generosity shown by Tumi and Clement – they embody MiWay’s ethos of caring for its customers and, more important still, show us what being part of a society actually means,” says Greta Goosen, Head of Client Services at insurer and financial services provider MiWay.

“…the fact that a Pedi and a Tswana went out of their way to help an Afrikaner is an example to us all…”

“Given the perception that South African society is fractured along racial lines, the fact that a Pedi and a Tswana went out of their way to help an Afrikaner is an example to us all – and an indication that the reality on the ground is far more positive than many think.

“The SA Institute of Race Relations’ recent research bears out that most South Africans are committed to building an inclusive society – and this is how it is done.”

Tumi Selau and Clement Molemela were nominated as Santam-owned MiWay’s first Service Heroes, a monthly award inspired by their actions that honours employees.