1996. No WhatsApp. No smartphones. Google wasn't around yet. The way we communicated, worked and went about our everyday lives looked very different from the world we know today.

It was also the year that Scorpion Legal Protection began its journey.

Fast-forward 30 years and, as you can imagine, a lot has changed. We've grown as an organisation, introduced new products and benefits, embraced new technology, and found new ways to make it easier for our members to reach us when they need help.

But some things haven't changed.

We still believe everyone deserves access to justice. We still stand up for our members. And we still believe that when life gets tough, it makes a difference to have someone in your corner.

That belief has been at the heart of Scorpion since 1996. Over the years, we've helped thousands of South Africans deal with legal problems, protect their rights and find a way forward when they weren't sure where to turn.

This year, as we celebrate our 30th birthday, we're taking the opportunity to look back at some of the people, stories and milestones that helped get us here. But we're also looking forward, because our story is still being written.

And YOU are a big part of our story.

Whether you've been a Scorpion member for 20 years, joined us last year or have only recently become part of the family, we appreciate the trust you've placed in us.

So grab a cup of tea or coffee, get comfortable and enjoy this special birthday edition of The Sting.

Happy reading!

Just look how far we've come! How do you measure 30 years?

You could count birthdays, branches, employees or even the many changes we've seen along the way. But for us, one of the most meaningful ways to measure our journey is by looking at the people we've helped.

From employees who go the extra mile for our members, to members who have trusted us for decades, and even young individuals whose futures have been shaped through our bursary programme, these stories reflect the impact we've made together over the past 30 years.

 

Imagine lending someone R3,000. You agree on when the money will be paid back, but the repayment date arrives, and nothing happens. You follow up. Still no payment.

That's the situation one of our members found themselves in after lending money to someone.

When Legal Counsellor Mpho Ndlovu assessed the matter, she discovered a complication. Because the loan arose from a business transaction, it fell outside the member's policy cover. Under normal circumstances, that would have limited the assistance Scorpion could provide.

But Mpho wasn't quite ready to leave it there.

Although the matter wasn't covered and there was limited documentary evidence, she continued to engage with both parties to see whether a practical solution could be found.

She kept in contact with the member. She followed up with the person who owed the money and continued monitoring the repayment commitments that had been made. It wasn't a once-off phone call or a quick follow-up. Mpho chased the matter, making sure it wasn’t forgotten or ignored.

It was her persistence that finally got results for our member.

The result? Our member recovered the full R3,000 – without having to go to court.

 

Mpho's efforts were recognised through our Scorpion Super Service Stories Competition, but her story also reminds us of something important about service: Sometimes helping a member isn't only about asking, 'What does the policy cover?', sometimes it's also about asking 'Is there anything more I can do to help?'

Well done, Mpho – that's what going the extra mile looks like.

 

When Jane Mokhomong joined Scorpion, the workplace looked very different. There was no WhatsApp, no Scorpi and certainly no chatting to members online. If a member wanted to contact Scorpion, chances are their first point of contact was the telephone.

And Jane knew a thing or two about answering the phone!

Jane joined Scorpion 28½ years ago as the company's first switchboard operator. Since then, she's watched the organisation grow and change while going on quite a journey of her own.

She moved from the switchboard into card printing and later became a Quality Controller. Today, Jane is part of our Telemarketing team.

Along the way, she has worked under 11 different managers, each of whom, she says, taught her something she still carries with her today.

And Jane REALLY knew how to answer that phone!

One of her favourite Scorpion memories goes all the way back to our 10th birthday celebration. During the celebration, our Managing Director remarked that nobody in the company answered the telephone quite like Jane did. It's a compliment that has stayed with her for the past 20 years.

Today, Jane works alongside a much younger generation of colleagues, something she says makes her happy to come to work. Her years at Scorpion have taught her to work with all kinds of people, and have given her opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Her message as we celebrate this milestone?

Happy 30th birthday to the company that gave me the opportunity to grow, learn and be part of a wonderful team.

 

Jane, after almost three decades, you're not just someone who witnessed the Scorpion story – you're part of it. Thank you for 28½ incredible years.

 

Every now and then, a story comes along that reminds us why opening a door for someone can make such a difference. Thabiso Mokoena's story is one of those.

Years ago, Thabiso would accompany his mom, a long-time Scorpion member, when she visited her local branch. Being naturally inquisitive, he started asking questions and chatting to the people working there. Somewhere along the way, those conversations introduced him to the Scorpion Legal Protection Bursary Programme.

At the time, he probably couldn't have known quite where that discovery would lead.

 

Fast-forward a few years...

Thabiso went on to study BA Law at the University of Johannesburg, majoring in Research Psychology and Psychopathology, before completing his LLB. After university, he completed his articles at a corporate and commercial law firm.

And today? He's back at Scorpion – this time as a Legal Counsellor in Durban. That's what we call coming full circle.

For Thabiso, receiving the bursary was about much more than financial assistance.

 

 

He says the opportunity opened doors into the broader legal profession, helped ease the financial burden of higher education and allowed him to pursue his passion for helping people. Today, he is using the opportunity he was given to help Scorpion members himself.

We think that's a pretty special story.

 

 

We've learnt a lot about protecting families over the past 30 years. One important lesson is that families need support before, during and after some of life’s most difficult moments.

That’s part of the thinking behind our NEW and IMPROVED Scorpion Funeral Plan, launching soon. We’re excited to give you a preview of flexible funeral cover, with additional benefits and practical support that go beyond the payout.

 

Because every family looks different

Your family might be you and your partner, or it might include children, parents and relatives who depend on you. Choose the cover you need and who you want to add, with flexible options to cover up to 32 people.

 

Support beyond the payout

The plan’s core benefits include:

 

Some of these benefits are there to help your family after a loss. Others are there to provide practical support while you're still here.

Benefits apply to different insured persons and are subject to the plan’s terms, conditions and limits.

 

Want even more protection?

You can also choose from our add-on benefits -

 

 

 

Update for Scorpion Members

For 30 years, Scorpion has been standing up for South Africans, protecting their rights and empowering them to fight back legally. As we celebrate our 30th birthday, we're also looking ahead to an exciting new chapter!

To make our operations simpler, more efficient and even stronger, we're bringing Scorpion's operations together under Legal Expenses Insurance Southern Africa Limited (LEZA), our parent company and the trusted underwriter of Scorpion's legal policies. From 1 January 2027, Scorpion will operate as a division of LEZA.

This change will help us streamline our operations, improve efficiency and continue delivering affordable, powerful legal protection to our members.

 

What does this mean for you?

It's business as usual!

• Same Scorpion brand you've known and trusted for 30 years.
• Same legal protection and benefits you rely on.
• Same premiums and policy number – no changes as a result of this restructuring.
• Same commitment to standing up for your rights and fighting back legally.

And for our Scorpion Funeral Plan members, there's no change to your underwriter. Your funeral cover will continue to be underwritten by Family Insurance (Pty) Ltd.

 

Think about the people in your life. A friend who's just started their first job. A family member who's never thought about legal protection. A colleague who wants to make sure their family has funeral cover. Chances are, you know someone who could benefit from having Scorpion in their corner.

Our Refer a Friend programme just got an upgrade! When you refer friends, family members or colleagues to Scorpion and they join (and meet the qualifying campaign requirements), you can get yourself a reward.

 

What’s new?

We've changed the way our rewards work. The reward category depends on the product and payment method chosen by the person you refer. This means that higher-value qualifying products and payment methods can unlock higher-value reward categories.

So instead of keeping Scorpion to yourself, why not spread the word? You could help someone get the protection they need while earning a reward for making the introduction.

They get protection. You get rewarded. We welcome another member to the Scorpion family.

 

Got someone in mind? Click to refer them.

REFER A FRIEND TODAY

Campaign terms and conditions apply.

 

Thirty years ago, staying in touch was much harder. Today, you can reach us at the touch of a button.

Technology has certainly changed the way we stay connected, but there's one thing technology can't do for us – tell us when YOUR details have changed!

New cellphone number? Moved house? Changed your email address or banking details? Please let us know.

Keeping your information up to date helps us make sure you receive important membership information, policy updates and claim notifications, and can also help prevent unnecessary interruptions to your cover.

 

Get in touch with us

 

We continually assess our branches to see where best to allocate resources for maximum impact, and from time to time we need to relocate or close branches to continue serving our members effectively.

Below are the branches affected.

Kokstad
Closed 31 October 2026

Makhado
Closed 31 October 2026

Thohoyandou
Closed 31 October 2026

If your local branch is one of those affected, don't worry – we're still here for you! Just check our branch list to find out where to go, or save the transport time and money and chat to us online or over the phone.

 

FIND YOUR NEAREST BRANCH

 

Thirty years sounds like a long time. And it is.

But when we look back at the Scorpion story, what stands out most isn't a date on a calendar or a number on a spreadsheet. It's the people.

It's the member who called because they didn't know where else to turn. It's the employee who stayed on the phone a little longer or followed up one more time. It's the family who trusted us during a difficult moment. It's the young person who was given an opportunity to study and build a future.

And it's every member who, at some point during the past three decades, chose to put their trust in Scorpion.

That's why our 30th birthday isn't only about celebrating where we've come from. It's also about saying thank you to the people who helped us get here. And that includes YOU.

 

 

30 years together – and our story isn't finished yet.

Here's to the next chapter.