#WeAreDecode. A Pan-African reputation advisory & strategic comms firm. When the narrative is contested & stakes are high - leaders, govts & brands turn to us.
Johannesburg
Joined September 2013
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With local government elections next week, our CEO, @LoratoTshenkeng, asks what leaders have done to earn our trust with a glass of water.
Writing in @TimesLIVE about the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis, he explores why warning residents early enough to protect their families tests leadership and accountability.
Read it here: jo.my/wtr-26
PR is what you do not what you say.
On Saturday night, Decode. took home three PRISMS Awards, recognising the impact of our client work and the people behind it.
🥈 Silver, Community Relations: Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF)
🥇 Gold, Intern of the Year: Nancy Dusani
🥉 Bronze, Up-and-Coming PR Professional: Jessica Gbedemah
The LPFF award recognises the community imbizo programme we delivered in partnership with the Fund in seven provinces, while Nancy and Jessica’s recognition celebrates their ability, dedication and contribution to Decode.
Thank you to LPFF for its trust, @PRISA_Africa and the judging panel for the recognition and our team for the thought and care behind the work.
Congratulations to Nancy, Jessica and our fellow winners!
#WeAreDecode #ShapingWhatFollows #PRISMS2026
Higher learning institutions must nurture critical thinkers in the age of AI.
Our CEO, Lorato Tshenkeng, moderated “The Thinking University” at #PRISMS2026, a debate that informs our higher learning practice.
Watch his reflections and share your thoughts.
Understanding people takes curiosity, careful listening and a willingness to question our assumptions. As AI changes how we communicate, developing these qualities deserves a place in the conversation.
Tomorrow, Friday 23 October 2026, our CEO, Lorato Tshenkeng, moderates “The Thinking University” at the PRISMS Summit & Awards 2026.
They’ll explore how universities can nurture critical thinking as AI takes on more of the tasks involved in learning and work.
If you’re attending the PRISMS Summit, catch Lorato from 09:00 to 09:35 at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways.
Which human capability deserves greater attention as we adopt AI? Share your thoughts with us.
Last week, our client Bridgestone celebrated Firestone’s 90 years in SA, with @OskidoIBelieve passing the baton to @Zoe_Modiga and Bernice West.
At Decode, we were proud to help shape and elevate an idea that connected heritage with the next generation.
In August, we also marked one year of our partnership with Bridgestone.
Thank you for trusting us to deliver effective, impactful work that strengthens your brand’s standing. That partnership also enables us to develop our team and create opportunities for those who follow in our industry.
Pula!
#Firestone90inSouthAfrica | #PassingTheBaton
A proud Decode. moment 🙌
Today, our CEO @LoratoTshenkeng is at the Nation Brand Forum 2026, leading conversations around the stories we tell about South Africa and the role they play in shaping national pride 🇿🇦
We’re looking forward to the insights and conversations that come out of the day.
#NBF2026 #NationBrandForum #BrandSouthAfrica #PlayYourPart #Decode.
Three facilitators, one important conversation. 🙌
Today, @LoratoTshenkeng , @SizweMpofuWalsh and @Nompilo_nz will steer the sessions at the Nation Brand Forum 2026, as we explore how one story can inspire national pride and carry South Africa’s name further. 🇿🇦
Repost this if you’ll be tuning in and following the conversation. 💚💛
#NBF2026 #NationBrandForum #BrandSouthAfrica #PlayYourPart
Decode. CEO @LoratoTshenkeng joins Africa’s media, marketing and PR leaders at #AfricaPRWeek2026 in Nairobi today.
His panel explores how strategic communication can build the trust and shared voice needed to attract global investment.
#AGPRW2026 #RedefiningPR #RedefiningAfrica
"AI can read the signal; the accountability stays human."
That's the central message from Dr Christopher Mahlathi's reflections on the Social Media Summit for Government 2026.
From scientific research to public communication, AI can help us process information faster than ever before. The responsibility to question, validate and make decisions, however, remains ours.
Read the full article and share your thoughts: jo.my/aigvsm
#SMS4Gov #SocialMediaSummit4Gov #Communication
Can AI help governments communicate more effectively without losing human connection?
That's one of the important questions explored by Prof @MandlaJRadebe following the Social Media Summit for Government Communicators.
His latest article looks at why trust, ethics and responsible communication must remain at the centre of every AI conversation.
Have a read and let us know what you think: jo.my/gvcomm
#SMS4Gov #GovernmentCommunication #ArtificialIntelligence #PublicSector
Decode. retweeted
.@_BongiweZwane is an exceptional conversationalist. I marvel every time.
[The context is her leading this fireside chat at the #SMS4Gov.]
Decode. retweeted
"Language is ever-evolving, and it's up to every generation to upweight what matters to them, as well as how it's expressed." That's paraphrasing what @PhumiMashigo1 said at #SMS4Gov, which highlights how important communication is.
Decode. retweeted
It’s a wrap from the Social Media Summit for Government 2026 at the Johannesburg Business School.
As the two-day summit comes to a close, convenor Lorato Tshenkeng reflects on the conversations, insights, and collaborations that shaped this year’s event, held under the theme Artificial Intelligence + Government.
#SMS4Gov #UJAllTheWay #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalGovernment #GovernmentCommunications #CitizenEngagement #GovTech #AI #Leadership
We closed #SMS4Gov2026 with a bold panel discussion on Decoding Social Media: How social media has disrupted mainstream newsrooms and is rewriting the rules of journalism.
Moderated by Prof. Onkgopotse @JJTabane, alongside @QaanitahHunter and @PhumiMashigo1, the conversation tackled some difficult questions:
Is journalism losing control of the narrative? Should podcasts be regulated? And in a world where everyone has a platform, what makes people trust you?
One thing was clear: understanding your audience matters more than chasing every new platform.
#SocialMediaSummit4Gov #SMS4GOV2026 #GovernmentCommunication #Journalism #SocialMedia #CitizenEngagement
Decode. retweeted
Austerity is so destructive, man.
For example; something that has come up in the Crisis Comms panel at the @Decode_Afrika #SMS4Gov is how austerity has (also) struck government comms, with the effect that gov communicators have to do much more with less, adversely affecting their capacity.
So, when we are frustrated with, ie, GCIS, one of the main reason for their challenges is the consequences of austerity. (Yes, the long term absence of substantive CEO is also a problem).
[For the initial, what is austerity? The underfunding and defunding of public services and assets.]
Decode. retweeted
#SMS4Gov2026
"The next hashtag is already formed.
Will you hear it first, or will you understand it first?" - Tony Mautsi, CEO and Founder of @SocialLightBW
#SMS4Gov2026 #SocialMediaSummit2026 #MediaMonitoring
#SMS4Gov2026 | Key takeaways
During the fireside chat on The Power of Constraints, Palesa Mokomele encouraged communicators to rethink how they work:
- Build communication around the citizen, not internal processes.
- Invest where people are most likely to engage and take action.
- Equip frontline staff - they're often the first voice people associate with your organisation.
#SMS4Gov2026 #GovernmentCommunication
#SMS4Gov2026
A key insight from today's fireside chat:
Government departments don't always need to find a new audience - they already have one.
The challenge is creating content that reaches and resonates with the people who already follow them.
#SMS4Gov2026 #CitizenEngagement
What if our biggest communication challenges are actually our biggest opportunities ❓
The conversation has shifted to our Fireside Chat on The Power of Constraints: How Non-Profits Turn Limitations into Innovation.
@_BongiweZwane, Prime Time News Anchor is in conversation with @Palesa_Mokomele Director of Communications at @dkms_africa exploring how communicators can create greater impact even with fewer resources.
#SMS4Gov2026 #SocialMediaSummit4Gov
#SMS4Gov2026
Today's first panel discussion focused on navigating AI-powered speed and institutional sensitivity, exploring how governments can respond to crises before they escalate and rebuild public trust when they do.
Moderated by Kemantha Govender @Wits_WSG with Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya @IECSouthAfrica , @Chrispin_JPhiri from the @DIRCO_ZA and Matshepo Seedat @HigherEduGovZA as panelists.
#SMS4Gov2026 #SocialMediaSummit4Gov
