The Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) is a non political body which represents and promotes the interests of the retirement industry in Southern Africa, to the ultimate benefit of the members of retirement funds. The most important function of the IRFA is to represent the retirement industry in negotiations with government authorities and the Financial Services Board (FSB), which would include commenting on legislation and tax matters affecting retirement funds/pensioners and all stakeholders.
In order to encourage retirement funds to communicate with their members the IRFA instituted an annual communication competition to recognise and reward excellence in retirement fund communication. The competition was started in the 80s and since then the emphasis has moved from recognition of communication to rewarding funds for world-class communication efforts that empower members to truly understand the workings of their retirement fund.
Funds compete in different categories i.e. Large, Medium, Small and Umbrella. The judges consider many factors when judging entries including:
- Effectiveness in general - the appropriateness at each level must be justified and relevant to the particular membership base
- Cost effectiveness
- Innovation and the use of technology
- Clarity of message
- Transfer of knowledge
- Communication above minimum required by PF86
- Ease of updating content into the future
- Measurement of success
The judges comprise a mixture of industry experts, academics and communication specialists.
Employed at Eskom Pension and Provident Fund (from 1989 to 1999) and responsible for communication.
1991, 1994, 1996
First Place for the Eskom Pension and Provident Funds (EPPF).
1997
Eskom EPPF receives Special Award for arguably having the most extensive and effective communication programme in the country.
1998
Second place in Large Fund category for EPPF.
Employed at Coris Capital (from 1999 to 2007). I was General Manager responsible for member communication for all Coris Capital clients.
2000
Third Place for Iscor Selector Funds in IRF Communication Challenge.
2001
Third Place for Iscor Selector Fund (IRF Communication Cahallenge).
Second place for website.
Third place for the research (special projects).
2002
First Place for Iscor Selector Umbrella Funds in Umbrella Fund Category.
2003
First Place for Iscor Selector Umbrella Funds.
First Place for Predikante Pensioenfonds in Small Fund Category.
2004
First Place for Predikante Pensioenfonds in Small Fund Category.
Second place for AST Fund in Medium Fund category.
Third place for Iscor in the Large Fund category.
2005
First place for my Municipal Gratuity Fund client in Umbrella Category.
Second place for my Kumba Fund in Medium Fund Category.
Third place for Amplats Retirement Funds in the Large Fund Category.
2006
No communication competition was held in 2006.
Started RetirementWise in 2007
2007
Second place for Sappi Provident Fund in Medium Fund Category in IRF Challenge.
2008
Won four Special Awards at IRF for Best Practice:
One for Sappi Provident Fund
Two for Anglo Platinum (Amplats Retirement Funds)
One for Mondi Provident Fund
2009
Won Special Award for Anglo Platinum (AGPF)
2010
Won 1st Prize for my Billiton client in the Medium Fund Category.