The 2025 Women in Media and Communication Panel Discussion, hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), took place on the 26th of August at the Dinokeng Building, bringing together influential voices in government, academia, and media to explore the theme: “Leveraging the Use of AI in Education, Media and Communication.”
Delivering the official welcome, Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka , TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, called the event a platform for sparking “meaningful dialogue” and empowering students to prepare for a changing industry.
“This initiative is more than an event; it is a movement that tackles the challenges women face in the media industry, from navigating technological disruptions like artificial intelligence to overcoming systemic barriers and cyberbullying,” she said. She further elaborated that “as South Africa marks 30 years of democracy, we are reminded of the critical role media plays in shaping narratives and driving social change.”
One of the most passionate speakers of the day was Ms. Bongiwe Zwane, who challenged students to act with urgency and confront structural barriers that Black women face in the workplace.
“We’ve had to wait for an industry that can truly see us not just as women, but as Black women. That is what we fight for. And dare you let that go,” she told the audience.
“What is Black is not cheap. What is Black is not disdain. And dare you be Black and a woman.”
Zwane also reminded students to take mentorship seriously, asking whether they had acted on lessons shared in previous sessions.
“Have you put into action what we spoke about? Because today we are taking it a step higher,” she said.
Adding a government communications perspective, Ati Geleba, Head of Digital Communications at the Presidency, stressed that while she is not an AI technical expert, her work in digital strategy shows how artificial intelligence could transform public communication.
“AI is both exciting and inevitable. It impacts our lives, the way we live, the way we work, and the way we communicate — in very fundamental ways,” she said.
She highlighted ethical and practical challenges, including data sovereignty, inclusivity, and ensuring that AI serves African realities.
“Africa’s AI future must be grounded in the realities of our communities. It must be accessible, compatible, relevant, and ethical,” Geleba explained. She added that “as government communicators, we are at the heart of democracy’s accountability, enabling citizens to access information and see what is happening.”
The panel forms part of the Women in Media and Communication flagship project, a three-year collaboration between GCIS and TUT, which continues to create opportunities for dialogue, mentorship, and professional growth.
At its heart, the initiative is about equipping young women with the tools, confidence, and networks to thrive in a fast-changing media environment. It creates a space where seasoned professionals, educators, and students can meet, exchange experiences, and collectively imagine a media landscape that is more inclusive, ethical, and innovative.
As artificial intelligence reshapes education, communication, and journalism, the event reaffirmed the urgency of preparing the next generation of women leaders not only to keep up with technology but also to shape its direction in ways that serve democracy, equality, and African identity.
