By Remy Raitt

In her acceptance speech, Van Schalkwyk applauded the organisation and all that they do. Having been a member for 30 years and achieving APR status she says she has always encouraged communication professionals to do the same. “[I]t brings credibility and shows your commitment to skill and ethics,” she said. “And it earns you recognised designation and marks you out as a heavy-weight communicator.”

She says in her new role as president she aims to encourage all PRISA members to become actively involved in the organisation and continue to add to the work of previous board members. “The work of the people preceding us has given us the base we stand on now,” she said. “Lungile was very active in the transformation committee and has agreed to stay on. We plan for transformation not only in name but for it to expand and increase the member benefits too.”

Van Schalkwyk also aims to get the industry’s younger players involved in PRISA. “The millennial generation is driven by status and recognition, let’s give it to them.” She said PRISA needs to punt the fact that membership offers status and credibility and provides a clear process for staff development.

Overcome by emotion of her new designation, Van Schalkwyk ensured the board that she moves on “with a humble heart into one of the most transformational periods in PRISA’s history”.

The new board members are:

  • Lorraine van Schalkwyk APR – PRISA President;
  • Ingrid Lotze APR – President Elect;
  • Thabisile Phumo APR – Vice President;
  • Lungile Lose APR– Immediate Past President;
  • Adele Paulsen – Executive Director;
  • Sylvia Collins APR – Chairman Accreditation Committee;
  • Roshnee Pillay CPRP – Chairman Membership Committee;                                          
  • Tasneem Carrim CPRP – Government Representative;
  • Kavitha Kalicharin APR – Inland Regions Representative;
  • Regine le Roux CPRP – Coastal Regions Representative;
  • Kyle Martin – Finco Chairman; and
  • Kevin Welman CPRP – Chairman PRCC.


For more information, visit www.prisa.co.za. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.