3 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) community is beaming with pride after one of its brightest stars, Mr Rethabile Molehe, was crowned Best Public Relations Student of the Year at the prestigious 2025 PRISM Awards, held from 16 to 18 October. The PRISM Awards remain South Africa\u2019s most respected platform for recognising excellence in communication, public relations, and brand reputation management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Mr Molehe, this triumph marks both the culmination of dedication and perseverance and the dawn of a promising career in communication. \u201cIt feels fantastic. This recognition is a reward for all the hard work, late nights, and commitment I\u2019ve put in,\u201d he said. \u201cTo receive such an accolade, especially gold, means so much more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting on his academic journey, Mr Molehe credited VUT for shaping his professional outlook beyond the classroom. \u201cOne of the earliest lessons I learned in my first PR lecture with Dr Felix Mwadiwa was the importance of networking and participation. That stuck with me. Since then, I\u2019ve tried to engage in as many opportunities as possible beyond academics. \u201cIt shaped how I see PR, not just as a course, but as a space to grow and connect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His award-winning portfolio reflected a blend of academic excellence, creativity, and initiative. \u201cIt included leadership roles as a mentor, peer educator, and radio presenter, alongside his blog, one of whose articles was published nationally.\u201d He also showcased a translanguaging certificate and a successful PR event organised in his second year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI almost gave up until I found out that students didn\u2019t have to pay an entry fee,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI put my submission together in one day, but it was really the year\u2019s work that spoke for itself. One of the judges came up to me and said, \u2018Well done, you deserve it. But it was very close.\u2019 I almost walked away with silver that night!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Motivated by the success of peers and mentors, Mr Molehe draws inspiration from every graduation and professional milestone he witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEach time I see someone earn their PhD or achieve something remarkable, I remind myself that I can reach that level too. I have this personal obsession with wanting to be the best in everything I do.\u201d Looking ahead, he envisions a future that bridges practice and academia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy dream has always been to work in an agency, but I\u2019m also drawn to academia. \u201cI want to show that PR isn\u2019t just for practitioners, it\u2019s a mindset and a skill everyone can benefit from.\u201d He further underscored the need for communicators to grasp how technology is transforming the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToo often, when we speak about AI, we limit it to tools like ChatGPT, forgetting that augmented, virtual, and mixed realities are equally shaping how we communicate. Understanding these nuances is vital to the future of PR.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWinning on a national stage brought immense pride, not only to Mr Molehe but also to the VUT community he represents.\u201d \u201cIt genuinely felt amazing. I could hear the surprise in the room when they announced \u2018Vaal…\u2019 But I believe this won\u2019t be the last. We\u2019ll see more VUT students winning in the future, especially with opportunities like being part of the Young Voices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he celebrates this remarkable achievement, he remains grounded and grateful. \u201cThank you to my lecturers, classmates, and the broader VUT community for your time, effort, and belief in me. Today it\u2019s me, tomorrow it\u2019s someone else. What matters most is that we continue to represent the university with pride and excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n VUT congratulates Mr Rethabile Molehe on his outstanding achievement. His success reflects the university\u2019s unwavering commitment to nurturing innovative, passionate, and globally competitive graduates, individuals who embody the VUT spirit of excellence, leadership, and transformation in every sphere they enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “VUT\u2019s Rethabile Molehe shines at the 2025 PRISM Awards, winning Best Public Relations Student of the Year. 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