Oscar Tshifure of Razor Public Relations named PRISA President-Elect

Oscar Tshifure, Razor PR's head of public affairs, has been elected president-elect of the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA). Tshifure, who has over 16 years of expertise, will guide the industry group and its communities towards a future in which public relations and strategic communications play a significant role in business and society.  

"As an agency, we are dedicated to actively improving our entire industry." We firmly believe that it is a strategy that raises the bar for our employees, clients, and colleagues around the country. "I am thrilled that this new position puts me in a unique position to drive this firsthand," Tshifure says.

Tshifure aims to bridge the gap between corporate and societal needs. He intends to have an effect on future generations by ensuring that strategic communications receive the recognition they deserve.

"Organisations cannot lead without strategic direction, which we bring to the industry as practitioners." To represent our sector successfully and have a lasting impact, we must do it right by linking the world of work with societal requirements," Tshifure adds. 

Tshifure has worked with notable customers such as the South African Presidency, the National Department of Health, and the BRICS Business Council SA Chapter. He is the business director and head of public affairs at Razor PR, where he leads a team that focuses on stakeholder strategy engagement, regulatory strategy and engagement, crisis management, political counsel, C-Suite advisory services, and ESG policy and advocacy support programmes.

"Tshifure is a distinguished leader and a powerful voice among African communicators." Dustin Chick, partner and managing director at Razor PR, adds, "We are deeply proud of his appointment to lead fundamental change at an industry level." 

He also serves as the director of the Pan Africa Media Research Organisation, which generates practical knowledge about media in Africa.

Tshifure is a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for the Department of Integrated Communication at Tshwane University of Technology, where he is recognised for his experience and industry insights. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Johannesburg's marketing department.

In 2022, he was appointed as a judge for the PRISM Awards by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa, and he was elected vice president and treasurer of the Pan African Media Research Organisation.

He is currently running his master's degree in business administration at Henley Business School as part of his ongoing professional development.