Johannesburg – The Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), South Africa’s pioneering social insurer, has participated in the three-day South African Local Government Association (SALGA) National Members Assembly.
The SALGA conference, which took place in Durban from 25 to 27 November 2025, is a cornerstone event in the local government calendar that brought together leaders, policymakers, and partners to address the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities.
RMA said its attendance underscores its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and supporting municipalities with tailored insurance solutions.
As the voice of local government, SALGA plays a critical role in strengthening service delivery, promoting cooperative governance, and ensuring municipalities remain resilient in the face of economic and social pressures.
Against this backdrop, RMA presented its Integrated Group Value Proposition – a holistic model that combines occupational injury insurance, life solutions, prevention programmes, and rehabilitation services.
With over 130 years of expertise in administering compensation for occupational injuries and diseases, RMA is uniquely positioned to support municipalities, particularly those exempt from the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Fund.
Under section 84 of COIDA, certain metropolitan municipalities, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, Mangaung, Sol Plaatjie and Msunduzi, are exempt from compulsory cover through the Compensation Fund.
These municipalities must self-insure or secure alternative arrangements to protect their employees against workplace injuries and diseases.
RMA offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for these exempt municipalities, ranging from COIDA Insurance to advanced claims administration systems.
Its services ensure seamless compliance, efficient claims processing, and compassionate support for injured workers.
For non-exempt municipalities, RMA’s COID Assist provides concierge-style administration, helping local governments meet their statutory obligations while reducing administrative burdens.
By partnering with SALGA and its member municipalities, RMA said it aims to create a coordinated approach to occupational health insurance that strengthens worker protection across the local government sector.
RMA’s participation at the SALGA conference highlights its broader mission as a social insurer, one that goes beyond policies and premiums to deliver systemic value.
Through its IGVP, RMA ensures that:
- Workers win – by receiving tailored protection, rehabilitation, and life solutions that protect them and their families.
- Employers win – by benefiting from healthier, more resilient workforces, reduced downtime, and enhanced productivity.
- RMA wins – by fulfilling its mandate to protect workers while building long-term trust and impact.
This “win-win-win” philosophy is central to RMA’s approach and resonates strongly with SALGA’s mission to inspire service delivery and strengthen local government capacity.
RMA’s participation at the SALGA conference reflects its belief in collaborative ecosystems.
The organisation’s partnerships with municipalities, regulators, and industry bodies are not transactional but transformational, designed to amplify impact and create shared value.
By aligning with SALGA’s vision of cooperative governance and sustainable service delivery, RMA reinforces its role as a trusted partner to local government.
Its solutions for COID-exempt municipalities, combined with its broader IGVP, demonstrate how insurance can be both socially conscious and strategically impactful.
On one hand, municipalities face the challenge of ensuring compliance, managing claims, and safeguarding workers.
“On the other hand, it opens the door for innovative partnerships with organisations like RMA, which can provide specialised insurance products, advanced claims administration systems and holistic worker support programmes,” explained Vuyo Mafata, RMA Executive: COID Assist, Municipalities & SOEs.
“At RMA, we believe this is not just about compliance.
“It is about dignity, resilience, and the recognition that municipal workers are the backbone of service delivery.”
Mafata added: “By partnering with SALGA and its members, we aim to create a coordinated approach to occupational health insurance that strengthens worker protection across the sector.”
He said RMA’s Integrated Group Value Proposition was designed to deliver holistic value for workers, employers, and society at large.
