Decode Afrika

22/10/2026

Our CEO, Lorato Tshenkeng, moderates “The Thinking University” at the PRISMS Summit & Awards 2026 tomorrow, Friday 23 October 2026. The panel explores how to cultivate critical thinkers in an age of growing reliance on AI.

If you’re attending the PRISMS Summit, catch Lorato from 09:00 to 09:35 at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways.

What should the next generation of communicators be learning now?

09/10/2026

Last week, our client Bridgestone SA celebrated Firestone’s 90 years in South Africa with the theme of passing the baton.

Culture icon, Oskido, Zoë Modiga and Bernice West brought generations together through music, connecting the brand’s history with the songs, memories and culture we all carry through our lives.

At Decode, we were proud to help shape and elevate an idea that made this milestone meaningful today while looking towards the next generation.

In August, we also celebrated one year of working with Bridgestone. We are grateful for their vision and for the trust they place in us to create effective work that strengthens their brand.

That partnership also allows us to develop our people and create opportunities for others. Passing the baton has meaning within our own team, too, as we share experience and build something that those who follow can take further.

Thank you, Bridgestone, for a year of partnership, and to our team and collaborators for the care and creativity behind this celebration.

Here are a few highlights from what we built together.

P**a!!!

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10/09/2026

The government leaders who perform best on social media do not necessarily follow the same playbook, although our research continues to show some important similarities in how they engage.

In the sixth edition of our South African Government Leaders on X Report, the strongest performers tended to communicate consistently, engage with issues people were already concerned about and bring more of a human voice to public communication.

This snippet of our findings looks at the top five government leaders on X and some of the communication behaviours that helped them stand out.

28/08/2026

Decode CEO, Lorato Tshenkeng today joins Africa’s leading media, marketing and PR thinkers at Africa PR Week 2026 in Nairobi, where 81 speakers are exploring how to strengthen the continent’s global reputation.

Lorato’s panel focuses on how strategic communication and cross-border alliances can build investor confidence and position Africa as a compelling investment destination.

24/08/2026

Social media has given organisations far more ways to reach people than communicators had a decade or two ago. A story no longer lives only in the newspaper, television interview or publication in which it first appeared; it can travel much further through the people and communities who share it.

Our CEO, Lorato Tshenkeng, sees that as one of social media’s great advantages for communication. He also makes an important distinction: reaching more people and influencing them are not the same thing.

How do you leverage social media in your communication strategy?

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23/07/2026

"AI can read the signal; the accountability stays human."

That's the central message from Dr Christopher Mahlathi's reflections on the Social Media Summit for Government 2026.

From scientific research to public communication, AI can help us process information faster than ever before. The responsibility to question, validate and make decisions, however, remains ours.

Read the full article and share your thoughts: https://jo.my/aigvsm

21/07/2026

Can AI help governments communicate more effectively without losing human connection?

That's one of the important questions explored by Prof Mandla Radebe following the Social Media Summit for Government Communicators.

His latest article looks at why trust, ethics and responsible communication must remain at the centre of every AI conversation.

Have a read and let us know what you think: https://jo.my/gvcomm

Explore how AI is revolutionising government communication strategies, enhancing engagement, and fostering trust between citizens and public institutions.

08/07/2026

Today is the day! The 2026 Social Media Summit for Government officially kicks off, bringing together leaders from government, academia, technology and communications to explore how AI and human intelligence can work together to improve citizen engagement.

This morning's programme features:

- Philasande Sokhela, Senior Manager, Johannesburg Business School Centre for African Business

- Lorato Tshenkeng, CEO of Decode Afrika, opens the summit with a look at why Human Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence matters now more than ever.

- Alistair King, Vice Chair of the Philipstown Wirecar Foundation, shares how creativity can solve society's biggest challenges.

- Dr Caroline Azionya, President of PRISA, explores why professional communication standards are becoming even more important in the age of AI.

- Botshelo Baloyi, Founder and CEO of Umkho AI, unpacks how AI can help governments create more human-centred services.

And that's only the start of two days of thought-provoking conversations.

Will you be joining us? Which discussion are you most looking forward to?

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07/07/2026

Tomorrow, Minister Solly Malatsi joins leaders from across government, academia and technology to discuss the future of digital transformation and citizen engagement.

In-person tickets are sold out.

Get tickets to join us virtually: https://jo.my/sms4g

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06/07/2026

Only two days to go!

Have you seen what's on this year's programme?

From an international keynote on AI and political communication to practical sessions on crisis communication, public trust, digital ethics, journalism and the attention economy, the Social Media Summit for Government brings together some of the country's leading voices in communication, technology, government and media.

Highlights include:

- Minister Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

- Prof. Dr. Martin Emmer (Germany), Professor of Communication Science and Head of the Division of Media Use Research, Freie Universität Berlin. He is also a Founding Director and Principal Investigator at the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society

- Alistair King, Fractional, Founding creative partner of former King James Group

- Dr Caroline Azionya, President of PRISA

- Botshelo Baloyi, CEO of Umkho AI

- Toni Mautsu, CEO of Social Light

- Mongezi Mtati, Snr Brand Strategist, Rogerwilco and Host of The Lead Creative

- A panel with Prof JJ Tabane, Qaanitah Hunter, Lance Witten and Phumi Mashigo

Whether you've already registered or you're still thinking about it, take a look at the programme and join us for two days of conversations that matter.

To join us, get your tickets: https://jo.my/sms4g

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