The second annual Social Media Summit for Government took place on 27 and 28 June 2024 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Hosted by the Johannesburg Business School (JBS), the summit brought together stakeholders such as Brand South Africa, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), SABC, and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).
These entities discussed critical issues and trends in digital communication and developed solutions and action plans to address them. The theme for the two-day event was ‘Deepening Democracy – Citizen Engagement in the Digital Age.’
Organised by Decode Communications in partnership with UJ, the summit also aimed to commemorate 30 years of democracy within the communication space. Dr. Randall Carolissen, Dean of JBS, welcomed attendees by emphasising the importance of knowledge exchange between senior private and government communicators. He highlighted the role of social media as a strategic communication method and the latest technological advancements in digital communications to support better outcomes.
“The timing of this conference is highly appropriate as we celebrate our 30th anniversary as a democracy. The purpose of this summit is ambitious and will provide insights and inputs related to the democratisation of technology, policy making, and design, ultimately helping in the delivery of services to citizens,” said Dr. Carolissen. He noted that the rise of social media over the last decade has transformed how people think, behave, and communicate. He also reflected on the challenges of digital exclusion, high data costs, and poor access to communication infrastructure, which threaten the potential youth dividend.
“If left unaddressed, we could lose our best minds to the developed world, which is running out of youth. By 2030, it is estimated that Africa will have half its population below 35,” Dr. Carolissen warned.
Throughout the summit, Public Relations and Communications experts and academics shared strategic insights and engaged in robust discussions. Dr. Sifiso Mnisi, Head of the School of Communication, spoke about the role of public sector communication, echoing Dr. Carolissen’s concerns about the digital divide.
“By addressing challenges such as the digital divide, South Africa can further strengthen its public sector communication, leverage social media, and build a more inclusive and democratic society. We must embrace the power of social media to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and build a nation where every voice is heard and every citizen is informed and engaged,” Dr. Mnisi stated.
Panel discussions and presentations covered a range of topics, including AI for Good: Case Study from Sub-Saharan Africa, Innovation Scaling within Government Communications, Promises and Perils for AI in Public Sector Communication, The State of Digital Communication Skills in Government and Its Impact on Citizen Engagement, Leveraging Social Media Capital to Communicate Government Initiatives, and Enabling Responsible Citizen Engagement on Social Media.
Summit conveners, Decode Communications CEO Lorato Tshenkeng and Prof. Mandla Radebe, Director of the Centre for Data and Digital Communications, reflected on the various discussions, chaired panels, and provided overall insights from the summit.
