Ms Bongiwe Mlambo, a third-year Public Relations and Communications student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), has earned a place among the distinguished 2025 Prisms Young Voices. Selected by the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA) and the Prisms Young Voices committee, Mlambo has been recognised as one of the country’s most promising emerging communicators, set to make a meaningful impact in the field of public relations across Africa.
Mlambo (22) from Vosloorus in Gauteng described Prisms Young Voices as an annual mentorship programme hosted by PRISA for public relations professionals. She indicated that this programme which is currently in its sixth year, only has 10 seats and only two of the seats are allocated to students.
“I came across their advertisement on the PRISA page on Instagram and conducted my research on the programme. I then researched on when the applications open and with great assistance from my lecturer, Mr Obed Chauke we were able to construct a one minute pitch for my video submission,” said Mlambo.
Making the selection list is exciting for Mlambo and feels like a blessing, as she is one of the students selected in the country. She sees this as the start of greater opportunities.
“During the programme I will be granted the privilege to judge campaigns done by major PR companies in the country. I will also be able to voice struggles faced by PR students and what we would like to see happen for students, in the PR sector. There will be major PR professionals and agencies involved in the programme. I hope to gain knowledge and insight through networking, this will not only inspire me but help me grow in my career,” shared Mlambo.
For Mlambo this achievement means so much to her, being a young woman who relocated to another province for her studies, a province that was foreign to her. She believes this illustrates how hard work and dedication can pay-off in the end.
“I came to DUT in 2023 as a first-year student to study Public Relations and Communications. I came to Durban with no knowledge of KwaZulu-Natal and not knowing anyone. Although I have faced financial problems with my funding in my second and final year (2025), I did not give up but I told myself that I would fight till the end because I am the first graduate there will be in the Mlambo household,” reiterated Mlambo.
For DUT, Mlambo believes this recognition showcases her lecturer’s dedication and that the university students do live by the values of ENVISION2030. She is determined to raise her family name through this programme and also to raise the DUT flag.
Sharing her congratulatory message, the Head of Department in the Department of Public Relations Management at DUT, Professor Veena Rawjee said: “This prestigious recognition by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) demonstrates Ms Mlambo’s exceptional talent, dedication and leadership in the field of communication and public relations. As a final-year student, she has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, creative insight and a passion for learning. The Department extends their immense congratulations to Ms Mlambo. May this milestone be the first of many more in the future.”
Additionally, Prof Rawjee said Mlambo’s achievement not only reflected her drive for success but also exemplified the quality of education and mentorship within their department, where students are guided to reach their full potential.
Pictured: Ms Bongiwe Mlambo who is one of the 2025 Prisms Young Voices.
Simangele Zuma
