PRISA holds AGM

NDN Staffer
Windhoek, 23 April 2018 – PRISA Namibia had their Annual General meeting at the NUST Hotel School on April 19. The meeting was held to discuss matters
regarding PRISA Namibia and the selection of the new executive committee. There were over 30 members in attendance including students from tertiary
institutions.

The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) represents professionals in public relations and communication management throughout the southern African region and has registered practitioners in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa.

PRISA has been in existence for 60 years and the Namibian Body had 68 members that joined in 2017 and 34 new members that joined from January 2018 to date, which is a good indication that the industry is growing in Namibia.

The outgoing Chair Mr Rhingo Mutumba gave a brief report about the activities undertaken by PRISA Namibia as well as the financial report. The team discussed the 5 Key Strategic Initiatives in accordance with the approved PRISA Namibia Strategic Plan that was developed in 2015.

These 5 Key Strategic Initiatives are building strong stakeholder relations with tertiary institutions, government and the business community. Secondly to give professional input into the governments Draft Legal Framework on PR in Namibia. Thirdly, to increasing paid up membership base. Fourthly, concretize and improve on PRISA’s value proposition and lastly to consistently fund and fundraise for administrative support. Other matters arising with regards to the challenges faced by PRISA Namibia includes, establishing a solid Public Relations body for PRISA Namibia, increasing the PRISA membership base and the importance of belonging to this professional body.

Mr Mutumba urged the stakeholders as well as the private sector to assist students through mentoring them to evoke their interest in the public relations sector to develop and give platforms to chartered public relations practitioners to facilitate local training. PRISA Namibia also formulated an electronic newsletter named “PR NewsFlash” with the purpose of sharing ideas and new development in the industry, he encouraged all PR practitioners to contribute to this newsletter through sharing content.

Mr Mutumba stressed on improving PRISA engagement amongst PR practitioners “for the sake of the local PR industry”. He further gave the appreciation and thanked the outgoing committee for their dedication and hard work with certificates awarded and certified by PRISA President Malesela
Maubane.
At the same occasion, the new chairlady, Ilke Platt thanked the committee for entrusting her expertise and also mentioned that it is not only the responsibility of the new committee to improve PRISA, but also all public relations practitioners determined at improving the industry.

“We all need to give our input and not expect a certain team to bring improvements or sail the ship. This is a group effort and we need to work collaboratively for the same cause,” she noted. The new PRISA Namibia committee consist of Ms Ilke Platt as the chair person and Elizabeth Tashiyah as her vice-chair. The executive members include Mr Edmund //Khoaseb, Ms Sanet de Waal, and Ms Mauriza Fredericks. Ms Lorraine Kondombolo was elected as the treasurer and Ms Ashante Manetti as the secretary.

The student chapter comprises of Mr Shoki Kandjimi and Sofia Shigwedha. The public is urged to visit all social media platforms of PRISA Namibia to stay
up to date with this years planned activities.
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