For members of the media gathered at The RoadCover HQ on 6 October 2026, this was not simply a theatrical performance; it was an attempt to show what happens after a motor vehicle accident, when the immediate shock gives way to medical treatment, financial uncertainty and the process of claiming from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
RoadCover marked its 21st anniversary with Inside the Claim, a courtroom-style production that dramatised the RAF claims process through the stories of two accident victims.
The play followed two lives changed in an instant: Thandeka Nkosi, a promising netball player who was left paralysed after a taxi accident, and Johan Kruger, a father of three and handyman, who was injured in a collision and unable to generate a full income. Their stories highlighted the impact an accident can have on a person's ability to work, support their family and rebuild their life, while also examining how fees and third-party expenses can affect the amount a claimant ultimately receives.
RoadCover's model is built around ensuring that qualifying members receive 100% of their successful RAF settlement, with no fees deducted.
From the stage, the focus shifted to the podium as RoadCover CEO Amanda Rogaly told journalists that the figures associated with RAF claims only tell part of the story. “For many people, a motor vehicle accident is only the beginning of the trauma. Then come the questions: How will I earn a living? What happens to my family? Where do I start with a claim? With this event, we wanted the media to see the person behind the paperwork,” she said.
Founded after executive chairman Eugene Beck’s own cycling accident, RoadCover has since secured more than R840m in RAF settlements in the past seven years, helping over 6,000 South Africans. Crucially, the socially responsible model has kept R336m in the hands of claimants and their families – money that would otherwise have been lost to fees and expenses.
For RoadCover, the figures are intended to demonstrate the financial difference between the amount awarded in a successful RAF claim and the amount a claimant ultimately keeps.
The event also highlighted RoadCover's work beyond RAF claims through the RoadCover Foundation, which supports accident victims who may fall outside traditional RAF funding structures or require additional assistance. Its support can include rehabilitation, mobility aids, education, transport and longer-term care.
“Getting a settlement is not necessarily the end of someone’s journey. For many people, that is where the real work begins,” Rogaly said.
She said the Foundation reflects the broader impact that a serious motor vehicle accident can have on an individual and their family long after a claim has been settled.
The Q&A session gave journalists an opportunity to question RoadCover's leadership and legal team about RAF claims, the organisation's business model and what happens to settlement money.
Dr Sandra da Mata, a 919 FM radio personality and clinical psychologist, asked how RoadCover could get its message to a wider audience, particularly ahead of the festive season when more people travel.
Beck said joining RoadCover was straightforward and cost R49 per month for a family of five, with no waiting period. The organisation is encouraging the media to help raise awareness among South Africans.
Collin Khanye from Arena Holdings, which publishes Business Day and Financial Mail, questioned whether RoadCover could face reputational risks by being associated with the RAF, given the extensive reporting about the Fund's financial challenges.
In response, Beck disputed the characterisation of the RAF as bankrupt, pointing to the fuel levy that funds the organisation and arguing that public discussion about the Fund's financial position reflects its contingent liability rather than its actual liability.
Farzaana Mayet, head of legal at RoadCover, also stressed the fact that there is utmost transparency on every single matter, adding that a membership-based organisation has a proven record of ensuring that the money paid goes to the claimant and that there are no fees and expenses deducted.
Sam Marshall from Social TV asked about the role of the RoadCover Foundation and how it fits into the wider challenges surrounding road safety and RAF claims.
Beck said the Foundation was created to address the needs of RoadCover’s paying members who may not have met the criteria for a RAF claim but still need help.
Questions also covered whether smaller claims are worth pursuing. Beck highlighted that RoadCover manages claims of all values, including claims below R1,000. “If a member needs our help, we will step in and help,” he explained.
The event was followed by a continuous stream of interviews from the media, which highlighted the newsworthiness of educating South Africans.
RoadCover’s 21st anniversary was not only about celebrating its longevity as a positive contributing South African business, but it was also about spreading awareness to help South Africans understand their legal rights. The purpose of the event was to encourage media to take what they had learnt beyond the event, ask questions, tell stories, educate audiences and help change what fundamentally happens next.
After 21 years, RoadCover is set to continue investing in road-safety education, accident-prevention initiatives and support for people dealing with the consequences of motor vehicle accidents.
Because knowing your rights after an accident shouldn’t be a privilege, every South African deserves to know them.
