Prisa Networking Breakfast

On the 18th of March 2022 PRISA was hosting their quarterly networking breakfast event and 5 SPRA executive members were given an opportunity to attend the event.

Our duty was to go there and volunteer by welcoming guests and it turned out to be fruitful to us as students from the SPRA organisation when we got the opportunity to be in the same space with professionals who are experienced in the industry. The speakers shared so much wisdom with us and we learnt so much about our field of Public Relations (PR) — Lerato Kwenaite

The first speaker Mr Francois Van Dyk, chair of AMEC Africa and Middle East, shared on how you can measure the value of your work in the PR field. In his speech he also spoke about the AVEs principles which intrigued me the most. AVE-advertising value equivalent refers to a metric tool that was used in the PR industry to measure the outcomes. This was the most interesting topic for me because it is very important for PR practitioners to have a quantitative picture of whether their hard work is elevating or downgrading.  — Phumelelo Monareng

Professor Keith Somerville, was a journalist for the BBC for 28 years. He explained that framing deals with selecting what is important and what is not important, and fitting the different parts together. He stated that “many stories surrounding South Africa and Africa are framed by too many journalists. There are two stereotypical frames that are surrounding African news, which is how many people have died and what tribe they are from, these frames reinforce tribalism and division. — Jessica Bolazinga

Among the brilliant speakers that shared insightful topics, Thoriso Maloka, a University of Pretoria graduate, management consultant and a radio presenter gave a presentation about the relationship between journalists and public relations practitioners.  She emphasized on the need for transparency for professionals in this regard, with measurable insights which allow us to measure success of our inputs.  She added that it is important to interlink these professions and stop isolating either in its special corner. — Seipati Ndlovu

Networking is like dancing, it’s an art. You move from one person to the next rhythmically and patiently. Instead of focusing on how knowing someone might help you, focus on creating a connection. Perhaps you are looking for an internship and the person in front of you is a hiring manager, telling that person you are open for work will be tempting. Get to know that person by asking questions, listen attentively and be interested. By so doing you are building a foundation and a relationship. — Tshegofatso Mhiko

Edited by Seriane Morapeli