MEC's PR Director Wins Top Public Service Award
"I'm grateful. So many have been considered, and because I've been recognized for my efforts, I'm grateful," he told AfricaBrief.
MANGOCHI, Malawi— Sangwani Mwafulirwa, Director of Media and Public Relations at the Malawi Electoral Commission, was named PR Practitioner of the Year - Public Service at the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) Awards Gala 2024, writes Winston Mwale.
Mwafulirwa expressed gratitude for the recognition.
"I'm grateful. So many have been considered, and because I've been recognized for my efforts, I'm grateful," he told AfricaBrief.
The elections communications veteran views the award as an inspiration and a challenge.
"It comes as a challenge because we need to maintain, if not improve, on what we've been doing," Mwafulirwa said.
When asked about his approach, Mwafulirwa emphasized proactivity and stakeholder engagement.
"Being proactive, giving out information, knowing the stakeholder needs, what they need or what they will need, and providing that in advance," he explained.
Looking ahead to upcoming elections, the PR director promised increased public outreach.
"People should expect that we will plan more, make sure that we take elections to the people," he said.
The PRSM gala honoured several other communications professionals.
Lavern Chitakata of Castel Malawi won PR Practitioner of the Year - Corporate, while Grace Nachiola received the award for Development Communications.
In the institutional category, the National Initiative for Civic Education won for Public Sector Communications, the European Union in Malawi for Development Communications, and the National Bank of Malawi for Corporate Communications.
The event concluded with Egrita Ndala of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Malawi receiving the Honorary Fellow award for significant contributions to Malawi's public relations profession.