Cape town: As anticipation builds ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), leaders from government, the science industry, media, and business gathered at NASDAK in Cape Town for a pre-SONA media networking session that placed storytelling, social cohesion, and national branding firmly in the spotlight.
According to South African Government News Agency, the panel discussion was framed around the theme: 'Post-pandemic and elections: Media, social cohesion and national branding.' It brought together Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa; Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Pontsho Maruping; Chief Financial Officer at Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Tshepo Setshedi, and Managing Director of East Coast Radio, Mzuvele Mthethwa.
At the heart of the conversation was the pressing question: how can media help unite South Africans in a time marked by global uncertainty, rapid digital transformation, and the aftershocks of both the pandemic and recent elections?
Mnukwa set the tone of the engagement by emphasizing the powerful and regulated space in which South Africa's media operates. She highlighted the role of media in promoting shared interests across race and geography, citing examples like the 'KZN Unite' campaign during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal where media houses aligned their messaging to focus on verified information and collective identity.
Maruping, bringing a scientific perspective, explained how scientific methods can offer valuable lessons for media credibility. She argued that transparency around how stories are verified and allowing space for differing views grounded in evidence can strengthen public trust in journalism. She also called for greater visibility of South African scientific excellence, emphasizing its often underreported domestic impact despite international recognition.
The rise of social media and misinformation was a prominent focus, with Mthethwa stressing the importance of credible media presence in digital spaces. He highlighted the need for accuracy over speed and called for stronger user education to help the public identify fake pages and unverified sources.
Nation branding was another significant topic, with Mnukwa discussing the government's Nation Brand Repositioning Strategy, urging citizens to differentiate between legitimate criticism of government and pride in the country itself. She emphasized that nation branding should promote inclusivity, explain policy choices, and foster patriotism grounded in democratic participation.
Setshedi highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in strengthening democratic resilience, reflecting on successful collaborations during COVID-19 to share life-saving information.
The session concluded with a focus on storytelling as a unifying force. Panelists emphasized the importance of telling good stories about progress, innovation, and achievement to build a cohesive and confident South Africa as the country looks forward to SONA.
