Reputation has always been a fragile asset – hard to build, easy to lose, and almost impossible to fully restore once damaged. But in the age of AI‑driven misinformation, reputational risk has shifted from being a communications concern to a full‑scale organisational threat. Today, a single synthetic image, a fabricated policy document, or an AI‑generatedContinue reading “Reputation Risk in the Age of AI‑Driven Misinformation: Why Trust Is the New Currency”
Author Archives: Tokiso Molefe
Social media as a credibility and visibility engine
Are we treating social media as a credibility AND visibility engine, or still focused on just the visibility part by broadcasting for applause? I ask that question because too many organisations and leaders still treat social platforms as megaphones for applause rather than instruments for building durable trust. Social media is undeniably a visibility machine:Continue reading “Social media as a credibility and visibility engine”
Is There Still Space for Research in a Rapidly Moving World?
Lately, I’ve been sitting with a question that keeps resurfacing as I reflect on my PhD journey: Is there still space for research in a world that moves this fast? When I began my PhD, my focus was (and still is) Online Reputation Management. Artificial Intelligence was, at best, a paragraph in my proposal –Continue reading “Is There Still Space for Research in a Rapidly Moving World?”
Why Online Reputation Management Is a Growth Strategy for South African SMEs and Not a Luxury.
For many South African small and medium enterprises, reputation is often treated as something that “will take care of itself.” The focus tends to fall on sales, operations, and survival – understandably so in an economy where SMEs face structural barriers, limited resources, and intense competition. However, neglecting the importance of a solid reputation canContinue reading “Why Online Reputation Management Is a Growth Strategy for South African SMEs and Not a Luxury.”
The Research-Driven Communicator: Why Data Is the New Soft Skill in PR
In South Africa’s fast-evolving public relations landscape, we often celebrate “gut feeling” and “creative intuition.” Those instincts still matter, but they’re no longer enough. As I move between my PhD research and industry work, one insight keeps resurfacing:The most influential communicators of the next decade won’t only be storytellers, they will be social scientists. WhereContinue reading “The Research-Driven Communicator: Why Data Is the New Soft Skill in PR”
Dancing the Death Drill – A Review
Two standing ovations! Yes, and the first one was before the show even ended. In fact, I suspect the audience wanted to give a couple more throughout the show. That was how the audience received Dancing the Death Drill, a stage adaptation of Fred Khumalo’s award winning novel. I knew I could not miss itContinue reading “Dancing the Death Drill – A Review”
When Old Laptops Spill Memories: A Journey Through Forgotten Files
My daughter found one of my old laptops and asked me to switch it on, hoping to download games. I reluctantly indulged her, but what was meant to be a teachable moment of the obsolescence of technology turned into a walk down memory lane for me. This laptop holds most of my pictures and writtenContinue reading “When Old Laptops Spill Memories: A Journey Through Forgotten Files”
Harnessing AI: Transforming Communication Roles in the Modern Era
Unveiling the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Communication Strategies I recently had an interesting conversation with a fellow communication professional, and she highlighted her concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). I share her concerns, especially about our roles as communicators. And, since there is an uptake of AI, it is also our responsibility to learnContinue reading “Harnessing AI: Transforming Communication Roles in the Modern Era”
Public Relations Re-imagined
As we continue to navigate the digital era, the landscape of public relations (PR) is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional PR methods, which once relied heavily on press releases and media coverage, are being re-imagined and adapting to the evolving needs of businesses and their audiences. In this post, I explore the innovative approaches thatContinue reading “Public Relations Re-imagined”
The Impact of Digital Media on Strategic Communication
Introduction In today’s fast-paced digital world, the communication landscape has undergone a significant transformation. Digital media has become an integral part of strategic communication, enabling organisations to connect with their target market in more dynamic and interactive ways. In this blog post, I explore the evolution of digital media, its key components, benefits, and challenges.Continue reading “The Impact of Digital Media on Strategic Communication”
Tokiso Molefe 