Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award 2026: Why Health Communication Matters More Than Ever
- bongiwe53
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Building trust, countering misinformation and creating communication that saves lives
Health communication has become a frontline public-health intervention. Communities are navigating outbreaks, unequal access to care, misinformation, declining trust in institutions and a fast-changing digital information environment. Clear, credible and accessible communication can shape health decisions, improve access to services and, ultimately, save lives.
Fraymedia Foundation is proud to present a second year to the Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award, through the Webinar: Why Health Communication Matters More than Ever. The webinar will honour the legacy of Phangisile Mtshali, whose career bridged journalism, strategic communication, health advocacy and programme leadership.
Register here now to attend.
Young and seasoned South African women journalists and communicators; early-stage media and communications entrepreneurs; health and development professionals; civil-society organisations; mentors, funders and partners interested in ethical communication and women-led enterprise are invited to attend the session and apply for the grant.
The Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award for Transformational PR Grant Award 2026
Webinar: Why Health Communications Matters More than Ever
Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Time: 10h00 - 11h30 am SAST
The Webinar will receive Keynote Remarks from Dr Ntombifikile Mtshali, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shout-It-Now, where she leads innovative community-based health services with a strong focus on HIV prevention, gender-based violence prevention and post-violence care, and youth centred sexual and reproductive health.
A medical doctor with an MBA from Wits Business School, she brings over a decade of experience across public and private healthcare, including serving as CEO of Bertha Gxowa Hospital and managing multi-million-dollar health grants at The Aurum Institute.
She also chairs the CHABAHIVA Trust Board and serves as a non-executive director of the South African Medical Association. Recognised among the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans (2017), Dr Mtshali is passionate about women’s reproductive health rights and advancing access to care for young people.
The webinar will bring together public-health, communication and entrepreneurial perspectives to demonstrate why health communication matters now and what ethical, transformational practice requires.
The online session will combine expert input, a moderated discussion, audience questions and the formal launch of the 2026 call for entries for the Phangisile Mtshali Award for Transformational Public Relations.
The Webinar Objectives include:
Examining the growing importance of credible, accessible and community-centred health communication.
Exploring how misinformation, low trust and communication gaps influence public-health outcomes.
Showing how journalists’ research, verification and storytelling skills can strengthen health and development communication.
Highlighting opportunities for women to build ethical, purpose-driven communications enterprises.
Reflecting on Phangisile Mtshali’s contribution to health communication and social change.
Showcasing the progress of the inaugural award recipient and formally launch the 2026 call for entries.
The Webinar will conclude with the formal launch of the 2026 Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award for Transformational PR Call for Applications, and an invitation to eligible women who want to build purpose-driven communications businesses to apply. Applications focused on health, development and social-impact communication are particularly encouraged.
Award Launch and Call To Action
The 2026 call for entries will open during the webinar. Bongiwe Tutu, COO, fraymedia Foundation, will close the session by explaining the award’s purpose, eligibility, support package, application requirements, selection process and closing date. The application link will be shared in the webinar chat and circulated to participants immediately afterwards. The 2026 Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award will be presented on Tuesday, 1 December 2026.
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