PUBLIC RELATIONS

Industry mover-and-shaker is named President-Elect of PR Institute

By our News Team | 2023

Public relations practitioners can help bring strategic direction to organisations, says Oscar Tshifure, Prisa’s soon-to-be President.

Oscar Tshifure has been appointed President-Elect of the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (Prisa).

With over 16 years of experience, Tshifure is well place to lead the PR industry body and its communities towards a future where public relations and strategic communications hold a more prominent position in business and society.

Oscar Tshifure, President-Elect of the Public Relations Institute of South Africa. Photo: Supplied

Tshifure says he aspires to bridge the gap between business and the needs of society. By ensuring that strategic communications receives the recognition it deserves, he plans to create an impact for future generations.

“Organisations cannot lead without strategic direction, and that is what we, as practitioners, bring to the industry. We need to get it right, aligning the world of work with societal needs in order to represent our industry well and create a lasting impact,” he explains.

Tshifure is Business Director and Head of Public Affairs at Razor PR, which operates from offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Leads a specialist team providing an array of services

He leads a team that provides services in stakeholder strategy engagement, regulatory strategy and engagement, crisis management, political counsel, advisory services for the C-Suite, and ESG (environmental, social and governance) policy and advocacy support programmes.

During his career, Tshifure has collaborated with prestigious clients such as the Presidency of South Africa, the National Department of Health, and the BRICS Business Council SA Chapter.

He holds directorship positions at various organisations – including the South African Reading Foundation (Read A Book SA), the Sifiso Falala Foundation, and Sovereign Africa Rating. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the Pan Africa Media Research Organisation (Pamro).

Recognised for his expertise and industry insights, Tshifure serves as a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for the Department of Integrated Communication at Tshwane University of Technology. He is also a guest lecturer at the Department of Marketing at the University of Johannesburg.

In 2022, he was appointed as a Judge for the PRISM Awards by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa.

“Oscar is a leader of distinction and a strong voice of African communicators. We are deeply proud of his appointment to lead fundamental change at an industry level,” said Dustin Chick, Partner and Managing Director at Razor PR.

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