Four Finalists Announced for the Inaugural Phangisile Mtshali Award for Transformational PR

The fraymedia Foundation has announced the four finalists for the first Phangisile Mtshali Award for Transformational PR, recognising young communication professionals who are using public relations to drive social and health impact.

The award honours the late Phangisile Mtshali, a visionary leader who championed ethical, inclusive, and purpose-driven communication. Through this fellowship, the Foundation continues her legacy by supporting emerging practitioners committed to transformational storytelling. Join us in the Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award Ceremony Date: Monday, 1 December 2025 Time: 14h00 - 15h30 SAST Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IZKIEAA_RQ6SGdp7maeVJg

Phangisile Mtshali Grant Awards Ceremony Programme

Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award Judges

A judging panel comprising Kanya Ndaki, communications and public relations professional with extensive journalism and health communications experience; Dr Lerato Ndlovu, multidisciplinary leader in health research, science communication, and indigenous knowledge integration; Charmeela Bhagowat, founding member of the fraymedia Foundation and veteran journalist; and Paula Fray, CEO of the fraymedia Foundation and communication strategist, is finalising the process. The judges are assessing candidates based on vision and purpose, innovation and creativity, social and health impact, leadership and collaboration, communication excellence, and commitment to growth and sustainability. The winner will be announced on 1 December 2025.

Meet the Finalists

Nontobeko Mtshali – Managing Director & Founder, Magalela Media Services (Gauteng)

“I founded Magalela Media Services based on a pivotal lesson I learnt during the early days of my journalism career – knowledge doesn’t just enhance our lives, it can save them. I’ve had the privilege of seeing how democratising knowledge, particularly in academia, enriches how people interact with the world and leads to lasting change. Being counted among the finalists for the Phangisile Mtshali Award is immensely meaningful; it affirms the power of communication to make a real difference.”

A communications specialist and agency leader, Mtshali has built a reputation for strategic campaigns and stakeholder engagement, mentoring young communicators while advancing inclusive, evidence-based messaging.

Nokuthula Khwela – Communications Consultant & Journalist, Nduli Media (Gauteng)

“Through global media collaborations and storytelling that heals and connects, Nduli Media and Timeless Trends Magazine were founded on the belief in purpose-driven communication. Being a finalist for the Phangisile Mtshali Award is both an honour and a call to continue using media to empower women, including myself, and transform communities worldwide.”

Khwela’s work bridges journalism and entrepreneurship, combining creativity and compassion to deliver community-focused campaigns that amplify women’s voices and reshape how African stories are told.

Chantel Erfort Manuel – Media Consultant (Western Cape)

“I have lived a life guided by story – from a child experimenting with fiction, to a teenager working on my high school magazine, to a young journalist thrust onto the pages of newspapers. For more than 25 years, I dedicated myself to the power of storytelling in news media before transitioning to a space where I could pursue my doctoral studies, establish my media and communications company, and deepen my commitment to health advocacy. Across every sphere, story remains my compass and I’m honoured to have been shortlisted for the Phangisile Mtshali Award for Transformational PR. I believe deeply in service through story, and I welcome every opportunity to collaborate and grow with others who share that vision.”

A veteran storyteller and media leader, Erfort Manuel continues to use her extensive newsroom experience to bridge health communication, academic research, and public advocacy.

Lilita Gcwabe – Media Producer & Multimedia Journalist (Gauteng)

“Being a finalist for the Phangisile Mtshali Award affirms what drives me. Impact storytelling has always inspired me to connect truth to transformation and move stories into action.”

Gcwabe represents the next generation of multimedia journalists shaping inclusive narratives. Her work focuses on women and youth, translating complex social issues into stories that inspire change.

Carrying Forward a Legacy

Paula Fray, CEO of the fraymedia Foundation, said the quality of applications reflects the depth of talent in South Africa’s communication sector:

“These finalists demonstrate the spirit of transformational communication that Phangisile embodied – ethical, creative, and grounded in community. Each one represents the future of a field that has the power to change how we see ourselves and our world.”

The Phangisile Mtshali Award for Transformational PR celebrates the power of communication as a catalyst for impact, truth, and social good. All four finalists will be featured across the Foundation’s platforms ahead of the 1 December announcement.