Keynote address by Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, at the 2026 Networking Session

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Theme: Post-Pandemic and National Elections: Media, Social Cohesion and National Branding

Programme Director;
Acting Director-General of GCIS, Ms Nomonde Mnukwa;
Our esteemed panelists: Ms Ponstho Maruping, Mr. Neville Matjie, Mr. Tshepo Setshedi, and Mr. Mzuvele Mthethwa;
Our facilitator, Ms Elana Afrika;
Distinguished members of the media fraternity;
Senior government communicators;
Representatives from our valued sponsors;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Introduction

It is indeed an honour to stand before you this evening on the eve of President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation Address. I have listened with great interest to the insightful panel discussion, and I am encouraged by the genuine commitment to our collective responsibility in shaping the narrative of our nation.

Tonight, as we gather here, we do so not merely as professionals but as custodians of our democracy, as architects of social cohesion and as stewards of our national brand. The theme of this evening's discussion - Media, Social Cohesion and National Branding - could not be timelier.

This year, our gathering takes on even greater significance as we stand at the intersection of three profound milestones: Firstly, we celebrate 30 years of our transformative Constitution, secondly, we mark 25 years of democratic local government, and thirdly, we look ahead to the 2026 local government elections.

These are not mere anniversaries - they are testament to the resilience of our democracy and the enduring power of a Constitutional vision penned years ago.

Reflecting on our journey: From Pandemic to Democratic Renewal

Our Constitution - a beacon of hope that emerged from the darkest period of our history - enshrined not only our rights and freedoms but also a commitment to build a society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights.

Over three decades we have seen remarkable progress, but also significant challenges. Long forgotten by most, the COVID-19 pandemic tested our health systems, our economy and the very fabric of our society. It challenged our communication systems, our media landscape, and our collective ability to maintain social cohesion in the face of unprecedented uncertainty.

Not so long ago, the 2024 national elections marked a significant chapter in our democratic journey. It demonstrated the resilience of our democracy and the maturity of our political discourse. But it also highlighted something profound: the critical role that public communication plays in facilitating democratic participation, in fostering informed debate, and in holding power to account - all values enshrined in our Constitution.

Through both the pandemic and the elections, we witnessed the power of media - both traditional and new - to unite and, at times, to divide. We saw how information could heal or harm, how narratives could build bridges or erect walls, and how the stories we tell about ourselves as South Africans can either strengthen or weaken the bonds that hold us together.

Media as a force for Social Cohesion

The panel discussion tonight has rightfully focused on public communication's role in promoting social integration and diversity. Let me be clear: in a nation as beautifully diverse as ours, media is not just a conveyor of information - it is a mirror that reflects who we are and a window that shows us who we can become.

Our media platforms have the profound responsibility and the unique opportunity to:

• Amplify diverse voices and tell the full spectrum of South African stories.
• Challenge stereotypes and counter divisive narratives.
• Celebrate our cultural richness while fostering a shared national identity.
• Bridge the divides of language, geography, and socio-economic status.

This is not about sanitising difficult conversations or avoiding legitimate criticism. Rather, it is about ensuring that even as we engage in robust debate, we do so in a manner that strengthens rather than weakens the bonds of our common humanity.

I recognise Social Media as a "The Double-Edged Sword of our Time"!

Ladies and gentlemen, we must acknowledge that social media has fundamentally transformed the communication landscape. It has democratised information dissemination, given voice to the previously voiceless, and enabled citizen journalism at an unprecedented scale.

However, we must also confront the challenges it presents:

• The spread of misinformation and disinformation.
• The creation of echo chambers that reinforce existing biases rather than challenging them.
• The weaponisation of social platforms to sow division and discord.
• The rise of the influencer economy and its impact on the credibility of information.

This last point - the growing influence of social media influencers - deserves particular attention. We must ask ourselves: How do we ensure that the pursuit of likes, shares, and followers does not come at the expense of truth, accuracy, and responsible communication? How do we harness the reach of influencers for nation-building while maintaining standards of credible information dissemination?

National Branding: Telling the South African story to the world!

Nation branding is not about creating false narratives nor glossing over our challenges. It is about authentic storytelling that presents the full picture of who we are as a nation - our struggles and our triumphs, our challenges and our resilience, our diversity and our unity.

Brand South Africa, under the leadership of Mr. Neville Manjies, plays a crucial role in this endeavour. But national branding cannot be the work of one organisation alone. Every media house, every journalist, every government communicator, and yes, every influencer with a platform, contributes to how South Africa is perceived both at home and abroad.

I want to particularly acknowledge Ms Pumza Maruping's contribution to tonight's panel. As Managing Director of SARAO, she represents an often-overlooked dimension of nation branding: "authentic achievement". The MeerKAT Radio Telescope under her leadership has made South Africa a global destination for scientific excellence, attracting international collaboration while creating local opportunities. Her experience - from the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to community engagement in the Karoo - demonstrates that our strongest national brand is built not on marketing, but on real excellence that the world cannot ignore. This is the resilient, innovative, forward-looking South Africa that must feature prominently in our national narrative.

Our national brand must reflect:

• Our constitutional values and democratic achievements.
• Our economic potential and investment opportunities.
• Our cultural wealth and creative industries.
• Our innovation and technological advancement.
• Our role as a voice for the Global South, African unity and defenders of human rights.

Defending our National Brand Against Misinformation

Recently we have witnessed deliberate attempts to damage South Africa's international reputation through the spread of false narratives and distorted representations of our reality. Sensationalised claims, often amplified through social media have painted a picture of our nation that bears little resemblance to the truth on the ground.

These fabricated narratives - whether about widespread violence, alleged systematic persecution, or grossly exaggerated accounts of crime and instability - have real consequences. They deter investment, undermine international confidence, and most painfully, they erode the pride and hope of our own citizens.

But here is what gives me hope: we have seen patriotic South Africans - including many in this room - rise to defend our nation's reputation with facts, with data, and with authentic stories of our reality.

Our South African media practitioners have played a crucial role in this defence. They have:

• Investigated and debunked false claims with rigorous factchecking and evidence-based reporting.
• Provided balanced context that acknowledges our challenges while highlighting our progress.
• Amplified authentic South African voices to counter distorted narratives.
• Like the late Tshidi Madia (may her soul rest in peace) engaged with international media to correct misconceptions and provide accurate information.

This is patriotism at its finest - not blind loyalty that ignores problems, but informed advocacy that defends truth while working to address genuine systematic challenges. It is the kind of journalism and communication that builds rather than destroys.

Our nation's resilience is not just a marketing slogan - it is a lived reality that must be at the heart of our national brand. We must never forget that we are a nation that:

• Peacefully negotiated one of history's most remarkable political transitions.
• Built a Constitutional democracy that is admired around the world.
• Navigated a global pandemic while maintaining democratic processes and social stability.
• Continues to punch above our weight in international affairs, science, innovation, culture and sport.
• Remains a beacon of hope and possibility for the African continent, the developing world and nations who today are still fighting oppressive regimes.

This is the story we must tell - not to hide our challenges, but to provide the full context within which those challenges exist. When we succeed in telling our story authentically, we not only attract investment and tourism - we build national pride and social cohesion among our own people. We give our citizens, especially our young people, a narrative of hope to believe in and contribute to.

The Power of Partnerships

The question was raised: What partnerships can enhance media's role in promoting national unity? Let me be clear: the relationship between government and media should not be adversarial. Neither should it be uncritical or compliant. What we need is a relationship built on mutual respect, shared commitment to truth, and recognition of our complementary roles in serving the public interest.

Several questions tonight focused on local government, and rightly so. As we mark 25 years since the establishment of democratic local government in South Africa, we have much to celebrate but also much work still to do. Local government is where citizens most directly experience the impact of governance.

In the lead-up to 2026 local government elections and beyond, we must:

• Strengthen the capacity of local government communicators to engage effectively with media.
• Support community media that serves as a bridge between municipalities and residents
• Promote media literacy at the grassroots level to combat misinformation, particularly around electoral processes.

The innovations we see from platforms like Kagiso Media, particularly through East Coast Radio's community engagement under Mr. Mthethwa's leadership, show us what is possible when media is deeply rooted in the communities it serves.

When measuring our impact on society we need metrics that go beyond audience numbers and revenue. We need to measure amongst others, diversity of voices and perspectives in our content; public trust in media institutions; and the extent to which media coverage promotes understanding across different communities.

A Call to Action

Tomorrow, President Ramaphosa will address the nation of South Africa and outline government's programme of action for the year ahead. But the success of that programme will depend in large part on how effectively it is communicated and how well it resonates with the lived experiences of our people.

This is where each one of you plays a crucial role. Whether you are a journalist holding government accountable or a government communicator translating policy into accessible information - you are shaping the narrative of our nation.

Let us commit ourselves to:

• Fact-based reporting and communication that builds public trust.
• Inclusive storytelling that reflects the full diversity of our nation.
• Ethical use of digital platforms that prioritises truth over virality.
• Constructive engagement between media and government that serves the public interest

The media landscape will continue to evolve. New technologies will emerge. New challenges will arise. But our fundamental responsibility remains unchanged: to inform, to educate, to facilitate dialogue, and to strengthen the bonds that make us one nation.

Conclusion

Our 30-year-old Constitution gave us the framework. Our 25-year-old democratic local government brought governance closer to the people. Now, as we prepare for another round of local government elections, we must ensure that our media landscape supports informed participation and strengthens the bonds of community.

Social cohesion is not a destination - it is a continuous journey. National branding is not a marketing campaign - it is the authentic expression of who we are and who we aspire to be. And public communication's role in both these endeavours is essential.

I thank you for the work you do every day in service of our democracy. I thank our sponsors for investing in platforms like this that bring us together. And I thank the GCIS team for creating this space for dialogue and collaboration.

As you enjoy the evening's festivities, I encourage you to continue the conversations started tonight. Build the partnerships that will strengthen our collective impact. Challenge each other to higher standards of excellence. And most importantly, never lose sight of the extraordinary privilege we have as communicators in this hopeful nation.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the evening.

I thank you.