24 January 2007
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) hosted the Annual
Government Communicatorsâ Awards at a gala dinner at The Stables in The Castle
Kyalami, Midrand, on Friday, 8 December 2006. A high profile delegation of
dignitaries attended the Awards Ceremony that represented local, provincial and
national government departments. On this occasion Ms Clark walked away with the
prestigious Bua Award for the Eastern Capeâs Health Radio Service, known as
HRS. Bua means: "speak" in Tswana and it recognises individual communicators
who display courage, commitment, dedication and discipline in their work.
Candidates nominated for this category are communicators who at all times go an
extra mile to get the job done.
Ms Clark received a trophy and certificate of recognition signed by the
Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad and the CEO of GCIS, Mr Themba
Maseko. Back at her office in Bhisho she extended her heartfelt thanks and
appreciation to the adjudicators for bestowing such a great honour on her. She
furthermore thanked her family for being her inspiration and motivation, her
special friends and colleagues, the presenters of HRS, Mr Neil Pienaar and Mr
Fez Mpunzi and her manager, Mr Mzukisi Ndara, for supporting her on this
auspicious occasion. She also expressed the desire that the award would serve
as an inspiration to other communicators to make a real difference in the lives
of the communities they serve.
The initial driving force behind the development of the Health Radio Service
(HRS) was to explore creative and innovative processes to communicate with
several identified target audiences at the same time. The need to understand
the client brought about the concept of people talking to people. An in-house
radio magazine programme was the answer, as it was the only form of
communication that could accommodate the audience while they were engaged in
other activities, i e at the office workstation, hospital or clinic waiting
room.
Externally HRS is expected to increase awareness and help keep activities in
the public eye. It is anticipated that key opinion formers will begin to
re-evaluate their perceptions and attitudes of the department, resulting in a
stronger brand value in the long term. HRS has transformed the traditional
communication techniques of the Eastern Cape Department of Health to that of an
extra-ordinary department that was brave enough to embrace the ânext big thingâ
in communication and marketing.
Enquiries:
Mzukisi Ndara
Director of Communications
Cell: 083 378 0157
Tel: (040) 609 3713
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
24 January 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
