Premier Mokgoro implores government communicators to double their communication efforts
Premier of the North West Province, Prof Job Mokgoro says government communicators in the province must heighten communication and ensure that they feed the citizenry with the much needed information on government’s programme of action. Mokgoro said this while addressing a two-day Extended Provincial Communicators Forum meeting held recently at Vryburg, Naledi Local Municipality.
Addressing communicators from provincial departments, municipalities and state-owned entities, Premier Mokgoro challenged them to reclaim their space and become strategic in executing their responsibilities.
“As professional communicators, you are in a strategic, powerful and enviable position to advise your political and administrative principals about critical matters within your respective environment, and this is the role you must completely and seamlessly perform”.
“It is a matter of common sense that communication is an essential function in any organization, so you need to step up and bridge the apparent communication gap between government and the public. As important catalysts in the course of change, you need to always pick up signals important for those that make decisions”, Premier Mokgoro encouraged communicators.
The meeting afforded communicators an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders like Prof Lesiba Teffo, a renowned political analyst, on pertinent government communication issues including the extent to which the province’s government communication can be improved.
In his address, Prof Teffo presented his analysis of the political environment and its impact on government communication, and challenged communicators to always ensure that their strategies are aligned and integrated, this to level the ground for effective and efficient communication.
“As leaders who occupy strategic positions, you have a responsibility to disseminate messages that shape and empower the society, and you ought not to fail in this regard. Know that fools multiply when wise men keep quiet”, said Prof Teffo who urged government communicators to unapologetically take up their responsibility of influencing opinions and setting government’s agenda.
As part of the 2-day programme, communicators reflected on the implementation of the province’s 5-year communication strategy, and unanimously agreed to sustain all platforms used to communicate government messages, capitalise on the opportunities presented by new digital communication platforms, and ensure that development communication takes prominence in their messaging.
For enquiries:
Mr Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
