Johannesburg – iTOO Special Risks is excited to mark its 11th anniversary this month, a moment that embodies more than just celebration.
This milestone serves as an opportunity for the company to reflect on its journey thus far in the business and the wider insurance industry, underscoring the significance of partnerships and collaboration in building a more resilient, trustworthy, and future-ready sector.
From its inception, iTOO has operated on the principle that specialty insurance thrives through shared knowledge, nurtured relationships, and a focus on collective efforts.
This core philosophy continues to define the company today. Tovè Sithole, Head of Talent and Brand at iTOO, remarked, “Our mission is clear: ‘Together we conquer risk to unleash potential.’ As we celebrate 11 years, we stand by the belief that one plus one equals 11. Collaboration is integral to our identity.”
An evolving risk landscape
Over the last decade, South African businesses have navigated an increasingly complex risk landscape, ranging from climate change impacts and infrastructure failures to the rapid emergence of cyber threats and the transition to renewable energy.
These challenges demonstrate the essential role specialty insurance plays in promoting economic stability and unlocking new opportunities.
Sithole noted that the industry has yet to adequately communicate its value.
“Insurance is a crucial element of the economy,” she commented on Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
“Without it, renewable energy initiatives would struggle for funding, businesses would find it difficult to bounce back from difficulties, and entrepreneurs would shy away from taking risks that drive progress.
“We need to improve market education and rebuild trust in the industry.”
Trust is the cornerstone of every successful partnership, be it between insurers and clients, brokers, or throughout the wider ecosystem of reinsurers, regulators, service providers, and industry organizations.
The strength of collaboration
iTOO’s 11-year journey has shown that meaningful collaboration is not merely a strategic advantage; it is vital for developing a sustainable, future-focused insurance industry. Sithole believes now is the time for a renewed emphasis on partnership.
“As an industry collective, we face numerous challenges,” she observed.
“Yet, if we harness our resources—data and experience—and share them responsibly, we can create shared value and restore confidence in the insurance sphere.”
This commitment to collaborative advancement is evident in iTOO’s capability to convene.
Through CEO roundtables, industry unconferences, and partnerships with organizations like the Insurance Institute of Gauteng, iTOO has facilitated discussions among leaders regarding resilience, trust, and the future of insurance.
However, as Sithole emphasizes, dialogue is merely the starting point.
“The success of these conversations will depend on our subsequent actions as an industry. Collaboration must yield tangible outcomes,” she stated.
What effective collaboration looks like
“At iTOO, we view our people not as resources but as sources. When we nurture our talent, they, in turn, will care for our customers,” Sithole explained.
“Partnerships begin internally, within our culture, before extending to industry groups or competitors.”
For iTOO, a successful partnership relies on shared values, a common vision, and a commitment to measurable results.
It entails understanding entire ecosystems, whether insuring humanity as an insurance partner or providing solutions for budding entrepreneurs, and developing strategies that enhance resilience rather than merely restoring the status quo.
A culture that fosters collaboration
iTOO’s values have been fundamental to its growth over the past 11 years.
Compassion, expert excellence, curiosity driven by progress, and integrity form the foundation of the organization’s culture and influence its relationships with brokers, clients, and partners.
These principles have also established iTOO as a preferred destination for UMAs and entrepreneurs eager to collaborate with a specialty insurance leader.
“Whether partnering with a broker or an entrepreneur, we aspire to be the go-to choice for collaboration. When they think of cyber, renewable energy, or liability, we want them to think of iTOO,” asserted Sithole.
As iTOO expands its presence, including recent partnerships in East Africa, the company remains committed to unlocking potential across the continent.
iTOO’s 11th anniversary celebrates partnership, trust, and shared ambition.
It serves as a reminder that specialty insurance reaches its full potential when collaboration is prioritized, knowledge and expertise are shared responsibly, and the industry works together to foster resilience and societal value.
“Individually, you may move swiftly, but together, we can go far. The greatest prospects lie ahead if we choose to collaborate,” Sithole concluded.
