×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Climate change will come under focus at Africa PR conference

Kate Bapela after the interview with the Sowetan in Rosebank,Johannesburg. Pic: PETER MOGAKI. 21/05/2009. © Sowetan.
Kate Bapela after the interview with the Sowetan in Rosebank,Johannesburg. Pic: PETER MOGAKI. 21/05/2009. © Sowetan.

Khanyisile Nkosi

Khanyisile Nkosi

MORE than 300 public relations practitioners from across Africa are expected to converge on Gambia, West Africa, today to attend a conference wheretopical issues affecting the continent will be discussed.

Kate Bapela, the first woman to be appointed president of the African Public Relations Association (Apra), a body governing public relations professionals in Africa, said the conference was to provide practitioners with a platform to delibe rate on issues affecting the continent and the effect they have on communicators.

She said the five-day conference, which is held annually, was also for public relations professionals to get feedback on issues affecting their occupation.

She said that under the theme "Climate change and its implications for public relations", delegates will present case studies and recommendations on how to minimise the effect of climate change.

"The flash floods experienced in Soweto in February this year, which saw more than 200 households left without shelter, food or blankets, confirmed how ill-equipped we were to deal with human-induced climate change.

"The City of Johannesburg has been left with a construction bill of about R350million as a result of these flash floods.

"This singular problem is affecting virtually every aspect of our lives, such that numerous activities are being carried out to mitigate the negative effects of climate change," Bapela said.

Bapela said partnerships were necessary to deal with climate change "as one of the 21st century's main challenge".

"We intend to use this year's conference to add our voice to the plethora of voices that recognise the dire effects of climate change," she said.

Bapela said other discussions on the agenda in Gambia would include the 2010 Soccer World Cup and national communication and the impact of climate change on corporate social responsibility.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.