Kula Partners

Who We Are

Kula Partners is a leading financial service provider with over 15 years of experience in delivering comprehensive and integrated financial services to participants in the World of Work. We specialize in retirement fund administration, self-insurance administration, and group insurance administration, managing over 720,000 policies and 85,000 self-insured policies. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and risk management ensures that our clients are protected from financial, reputational, compliance, and governance risks. As a Level 1 B-BBEE registered Financial Service Provider (FSP No. 43066), we are dedicated to transformation, empowerment, and providing unparalleled service to our clients across South Africa.

What We Do

Our suite of services is designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients, offering seamless and efficient financial administration solutions:

We offer end-to-end solutions for retirement fund administration in the stand-alone and umbrella fund space, including member record management, monthly premium allocation, exit claims processing, and detailed member statements, supported by a dedicated project management team to ensure smooth transitions.

Our self-insurance administration services help clients manage risk, reduce costs, and retain control. We provide expert support in risk management, actuarial analysis, financial management, and regulatory compliance, backed by cutting-edge technology and inhouse team of medical assessment specialists.

We manage comprehensive employee and member benefits, including group life, disability, funeral, and retirement benefits, ensuring effective administration and compliance with industry standards.

Using multiple communication channels and automated processes, we achieve high contact ratios and retrieval rates, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction for unclaimed benefit and 37C tracing.

Who We Serve

Customer Segments

  • Retirement funds.
  • Unions
  • Bargaining councils
  • Employer groups
  • Individuals

 

Customer Attributes

  • Large retirement funds with insured or self-insured benefits.
  • Large retirement funds looking to migrate between insured to self-insured benefits.
  • Employer Groups, Unions and Bargaining Councils providing risk benefits to its employees and members
  • Retirement funds with unclaimed benefit and 37C tracing requirements.

Why Choose Us

Choosing Kula Partners means partnering with a team dedicated to delivering excellence and innovation. Here’s why we are the preferred choice for integrated financial services:

  • Extensive Experience: With over 15 years in the industry, we bring deep expertise and understanding of the institutional and retail financial markets.
  • Comprehensive Risk Management: Our consultative approach ensures that our clients are protected from a broad range of risks, including financial, reputational, compliance, and governance.
  • Innovative Technology: We leverage advanced technology to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver consistent, high-quality service.
  • Client-Centric Solutions: Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that we deliver value and drive sustainable growth.
  • Integrated Service Offering: Through the various Kula companies, we integrate health and wellness solutions to ensure a streamlined client journey before, during and after claims stage.
  • Independent advice: As one of the largest independent administrators in South Africa, we provide integrated administration solutions across multiple products with the focus to provide a best of breed solution tailor made around the needs of our clients.

Our LEADERSHIP

Company compliance and governance here >>

Michael Long

Michael Long

Head of Tenders

With an energetic approach and can-do attitude, Michael takes Tenders head on and analyses all the details to ensure all goals are met. From work related tasks to personal tasks, Michael uses his adaptive and, on the go, thinking to maximize opportunities and complete his tasks. With multiple years of experience in the Tendering world, he can provide clear solutions and bids for any tender.

Minesh Collopen

Minesh Collopen

Head of IT

Java Programming-Van Zyl and Pritchard, IT Management-Essential Principals and Skills

Minesh is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with over 10 years experience in the IT industry. He is an exceptional leader whom can develop and motivate others to achieve targets and enjoy being part of a successful and productive team. He is quick to grasp new ideas and concepts, and to develop innovative and creative solutions to problems. He can work well on his own initiative and can demonstrate the high levels of motivation required to meet the tightest of deadlines. Even under significant pressure, he possess a strong ability to perform effectively.

Monica Mhlanga

Monica Mhlanga

Executive PA, Marketing Assistant and Office Manager

Certificate in Brand Management, Certificate in Digital Public Relations

I started in the Financial Services industry in 2000. Gained experience in various industry sectors with over 20 years’ experience in finance, office management, policy administration, marketing, brand management, customer service and social media management. I am a self-motivated individual with the ability to work supportively within a team environment and communicate effectively at all levels. I am enthusiastic, diligent and dedicated to what I do. I have the ability to adapt readily to varying job demands and stressful situations. I have acquired knowledge, skills and practical experience on the job training.

aSHWIN mUTAMBU

aSHWIN mUTAMBU

General Manager

Advanced Risk Management, BCom Law, Pensions Management NHDip, RE5, FETC

Ashwin has eighteen(18) years working experience in various capacities within the Pensions and Provident Fund industry. His experience spans being a pensions funds clerk, pension law lecturer, group risk claims team leader and manager. Currently Ashwin holds the position of a risk administration general manager, consequent to which he is also an appointed employment equity, section 24, manager.

 

Complementary to his experience, are the following qualifications.

  • Advanced risk management (NQF 8)
  • BCom law (NQF 7)
  • National higher diploma pensions management (NQF 6)
  • Further education training certificate (NQF 6)

 

In his personal space, Ashwin plays chess and tennis and enjoys game drives.

Sello lebidi

Sello lebidi

Occupational Therapist

Bachelors: Occupational Therapy Postgraduate, Diploma: Project Management MBA in progress

Mr. Sello Lebidi obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2009. He went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management in 2016. He is currently enrolled and studying for a Master of Business Administration. Mr. Lebidi worked for 5 years in a clinical setting as an Occupational Therapist treating orthopaedic, neurological, paediatric and psychiatric conditions. Mr. Lebidi worked as a Disability Consultant in the insurance industry assessing temporary and permanent disability claims for a period of 3 years. He further worked another 3 years as an Employee Wellbeing Specialist in the banking sector, followed by an additional 2 years as an independent Occupational Therapist conducting functional capacity evaluations and Medico-legal assessments. Mr. Lebidi joined Kula Partners in July 2022 as a Medical Underwriter.

Nthabiseng Montiea

Nthabiseng Montiea

Disability Claims Assessor

B.Occ. Therapy

Nthabiseng has extensive experience in the clinical field which started in 2009. She has treated a variety of conditions varying from neurological conditions, orthopaedic, psychiatric and paediatric conditions. She has worked both in the public and private sector so she understands how the different sectors operate. The knowledge that she gained from the clinical field has served as a spring board for her efficiency and proficiency in the corporate industry. Her career in the corporate industry began in 2014, she has assessed and managed temporary and permanent disability claims as well as critical illness conditions. At the present moment, she is at Kula Partners as a Disability Claims Assessor (Medical Underwriter) where she is responsible for the accurate assessment and investigation of temporary and permanent disability claims and the providing of efficient and professional service to all our customers, advisors and peers both telephonically and through written correspondence.

Nokuthula Msimanga

Nokuthula Msimanga

Junior Tender Admnistrator

Nokuthula Msimanga is a graduate in Financial Accounting, currently holding the position of Junior Tender Administrator in our company. The analytical skill set she has demonstrated through the completion of her qualification, along with the practical knowledge she has gained during her tenure at Kula Partners, serves to greatly benefit the company’s structure and further growth. Nokuthula possesses insights into the business operations, and her intelligence, conscientiousness, and courageous personality make her more than capable of excelling in this position.

mervyn biggar

mervyn biggar

Administration Manager

RE5, NQF5, SQL

Mervyn has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry with the last 10 plus years being in the administration of insured and self insured funds, from long term risk benefits to funeral, gap and health insurance.
I manage the entire administration function of the business including claims and premium administration and under my supervision Kula Partners Admin performs its tasks and delivers on target at an exceptionally high level.

thiaan kruger

thiaan kruger

CEO, Kula Solution Services

BENG Civil Engineering

Thiaan Kruger CEO of Kula Solution Services. Enabling growth and value delivery by utilizing extensive project management skill and experience.
Thiaan has managed large projects that includes various civil projects of which the largest was a R3bn project and technology projects that include various projects in the mining, municipal and financial service sectors.

Dr Grietjie Strydom

Dr Grietjie Strydom

Chief Medical Director

MBChB

I am an experienced Integrated Health Medical Doctor and Consultant, who is passionate about improving the health and wellness of individuals and thereby reducing the financial risk of ill health to the individual and the organisation. I am passionate about the field of Wellness Risk Management, and I have been involved in this field since 1992. My experience spans all aspects of health and wellness risk management from private practice to occupational health, absenteeism, incapacity, and disability management, as well as chronic disease management, employee assistance programmes and wellness programmes. I have been instrumental in designing, implementing, and managing many new Health and Wellness Risk Management interventions and solutions in the positions that I have been employed in. I have designed and implemented health and wellness solutions for many large organisations, such as Telkom, Massmart, Edcon, Vodacom, Murray & Roberts and CINPF. The companies that I have worked for include: Rossing Uranium Mine, Southern Life, Professional Provident Society, Alexander Forbes, Right to Care, Murray & Roberts, and EOH.

Mbuyi Kahla-Ntshangase

Mbuyi Kahla-Ntshangase

CEO, Wellness Risk Management

BA(Hons) Social Work, NLP & Life Coach

Nombuyiselo Kahla-Ntshangase is the CEO of Kula Partners Wellness Risk Management. Early in her Career, She worked for the South African National Defence Force as a military social worker where she also served in the United Nations (UN) peace keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a Chief Social Worker and received an award for the outstanding support and performance service from the UN. In 2008, Nombuyiselo joined the University of Fort Hare as a Junior Lecturer where she lectured and supervised 1st to 4th year level social work students. In addition to lecturing, Nombuyiselo also supervised 4th year level (Honours) research. In addition to lecturing , she was an academic supervisor for 4th year research and Social Work(Hons)practical module for UNISA.


She has vast experience in the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) industry and has worked for various companies as an EAP Manager. Nombuyiselo has served as an executive member of EAPASA (Employee Assistance Professionals Association South Africa) Ikhala Chapter in a portfolio of a deputy chairperson. Nombuyiselo has also qualified as a Fatigue Management practitioner, HIV master trainer, Gender equity master trainer, and has a completed a course on comprehensive HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment and Management with University of Pretoria. She is passionate about training, management consulting& Content Development.

Samantha Monyela

Samantha Monyela

National Operations Manager

 

Samantha Monyela is the National Operations Manager of Kula Partners Wellness. Early in her career, she worked at the Department of Social Development providing statutory social work services to vulnerable children and provided an eclectic service offering to those affected by difficult societal issues. 

Recognizing the profound impact on individuals and the workspaces, Samantha transitioned into the Employee Wellness Sphere. She assumed various roles within the industry which included managing wellness clinicians for a number of Well-known wellness companies , providing comprehensive psychosocial services to employees, managers, and executives alike.

Beyond her extensive credentials, Samantha showcases her expertise by engaging audiences through compelling psychosocial wellness talks on a broad spectrum of topics, where she captivates audiences on a wide range of topics, fostering awareness, learning, and empowerment within corporate environments. With an unwavering passion for her work, a unique perspective, and the ability to drive real change, she proves to be a valuable asset to Kula Partners Wellness. 

jonie swanepoel

jonie swanepoel

Chief Executive Officer

BCompt Degree, RE1, RE5

Jonie started in the Financial Services industry in 2002. Gained experience in various industry sectors with over 20 years’ experience in finance, risk administration for self-insured and insured schemes, change management and project implementations.

Welma long

Welma long

Executive Director

BCom Hons

Welma is a seasoned financial services expert and her experience spans across retail banking, insurance, asset management, and risk administration. She is also a seasoned entrepreneur who co-founded a few companies that incudes a life insurance company. Welma’s passion is integrating different industries such as the wellness and insurance industries to create unique solutions for the post-Covid 19 world.