Vice president Witbooi Calls for Strategic Communications to strengthen Nation Building
Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called on communicators to embrace strategic communication as a key driver of nation building, urging them to raise professional standards and adapt to an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the official opening of the Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, Witbooi said communication has become one of the most important tools for strengthening democracy, promoting development and building public trust.
She noted that the conference coincides with the global celebration of World Public Relations Day, whose theme, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,” complements the conference’s objective of promoting effective communication in an age heavily influenced by artificial intelligence.
“The growing importance of global communication and international cooperation demonstrates why strategic public relations is more important than ever before,” she said.
According to Witbooi, communication is no longer simply a supporting function within organisations or government institutions, but the backbone of nation building and a vital bridge to socio-political development.
She said effective communication must go beyond sharing information and instead inspire understanding, trust and meaningful engagement among citizens.
“Communication is that fundamental bridge built on empathy, storytelling and democratic unity,” she said, adding that these values are essential in strengthening relationships between governments, institutions and the public.
Witbooi urged delegates attending the conference to use the gathering as an opportunity to reflect on their role as communicators and to move beyond routine approaches to communication.
She encouraged participants to engage in meaningful conversations that clearly communicate a shared national vision and purpose, saying communicators have a responsibility to help shape informed, united and resilient societies.
The Vice President also stressed that while artificial intelligence is transforming the communication landscape, human values such as integrity, empathy and ethical leadership must remain at the centre of professional communication.
She said communicators should embrace innovation while ensuring that technology is used responsibly to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence.
The Effective Communicators Conference brought together communication professionals, government representatives, public relations practitioners and media stakeholders to discuss the future of strategic communication and its role in advancing national development.
