Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Public relations professionals must continue to push for inclusion in boardroom decision-making.
Kazembire Zemburuka, the founding member of the Namibia Professional Communicators’ Forum, made this statement when the forum was launched in Windhoek on Monday.
“An individual once remarked that marketing and communications are just glorified secretaries. This tells me we have a lot of work to do to prove our strategic value. We are not seen as a strategic function that can shape organisational goals and objectives,” he said.
The forum brought together professional public relations officers, marketing officers, academics, and students to learn, innovate, and collaborate on various aspects of the industry to address their challenges.
Zemburuka stressed that the strength of the forum lies in its diversity, where everyone represents a different facet of communication, and the diversity sparks true innovation.
He said that whether the person is an experienced professional or just starting out, their voice matters.
According to Zemburuka, through diversity, the forum can collectively tackle complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities in the communication field, such as those in the energy sector.
“Looking ahead, my hope for the Forum is to be a catalyst for a strategic shift in Namibia’s communication landscape. Through workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects, I wish for us to equip one another with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in our work. Together, we can shape a future where communication fosters understanding, drives change, and champions our causes,” he added.
Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, said the forum’s launch is long overdue because other professionals, such as lawyers and engineers, already have bodies representing them and accrediting them to practice their professions.
“This forum coming together as a convergence is very important, and the importance of organising yourself will ensure that all the vision and ideas you have set out you will achieve. Because now you can sit in one room, strategies and look at emerging technologies and trends that are happening all over the world to aid your communications,” said Theofelus.
