Strategy, Trust and Humanity: NUST Strengthens Communications Expertise at ECC 2026
Communication professionals from across Namibia and the SADC region came together for four days of learning, collaboration and professional development at the Effective Communicators Conference (ECC) 2026. The event, hosted by the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), focused on strengthening communication capacity and exploring the evolving role of strategic communication.
NUST was represented by Nashilongo Gervasius, Director; Cindy van Wyk, Public Relations Officer; and Kachana Beatrice Ndabeni, Assistant Communications Officer, all from the Department of Corporate Engagement and Internationalisation.
A clear message resonated throughout the conference as discussions highlighted that public relations is no longer simply about sharing information. Communication professionals are now expected to shape organisational decisions, manage reputation and build lasting relationships with stakeholders. This was reinforced during the African Public Relations Association (APRA) panel discussion, ‘The Golden Age of Strategic PR’, where panelists called for communication practitioners to earn and maintain a seat at the decision-making table.
Public trust emerged as another defining theme of the conference, with several presenters emphasising that trust is earned through transparency, credible leadership, and consistent engagement. Delegates were encouraged to adopt a more citizen-centred approach by meeting people where they are, communicating in languages they understand, listening before speaking, and delivering on commitments before communicating success.
A standout session, ‘Building and Selling an Admirable Brand’, saw MTC Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer, Tim Ekandjo, argue that the world's most admired brands are not necessarily the loudest, but the most authentic. He encouraged organisations to build brands rooted in humility and humanity, introducing the four Cs of humility: clarity, consistency, courage and connection.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently on the programme. During ‘AI 101: Practical Workflow Integration, Messaging Optimisation and Governance’, Stantin Siebritz demonstrated how communicators can integrate AI into their daily workflows without compromising professional judgement or an organisational voice.
While representing NUST, Gervasius also participated in the panel discussion “Service Delivery and Managing the Narrative” alongside Christof Maletsky, CEO of New Era Publications; and Dr Sam Ntelamo, Chief Regional Officer of the Erongo Region.
For the NUST delegation, the conference reinforced that successful communication is measured not only by the messages organisations produce, but by the trust they build and the relationships they nurture over time. Across the four-day programme, two prominent topics consistently emerged; strategy and public trust. Together, they reflected a communications profession that is becoming more strategic, more transparent and, above all, more human.
