Reserve Bank of Malawi – RBM’s spokesperson Mbane Ngwira has been recognised as Public Relations (PR) Professional of the Year by fellow members in the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM).

Ngwira got the accolade following nominations from PRSM members in the Annual PR Awards introduced by the society this year to recognise excellence among PR practitioners in Malawi.

It was presented to him in absentia during the Annual General Meeting and PR Conference hosted by PRSM at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi from 28 to 30 November, 2019.

Writing on the PRSM’s Whatsapp group after learning of the award, Ngwira said it came as a pleasant surprise to him.

“There are so many I admire on the group, so it could have been someone else. I learn a lot from this group,” he said.

PRSM 2019 awards committee chairperson, Thom Khanje, said Ngwira received more nominations than the other candidates for the award and that nominators mostly described him as the most “friendly, approachable and responsive” corporate spokesperson in the country.

Ngwira, who is RBM’s director of communications and protocol, was also recognised for the Financial Literacy campaign implemented by RBM which has seen financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies reach out to schools with civic education on money and investment matters.

“He clearly enjoys a lot of respect among fellow PR practitioners,” said Khanje.

The award recognises outstanding practice in PR, looking at the persons’ demonstrated exceptional authority in their work, execution of ‘out of the box’ approaches and delivery of a remarkable programme or campaign “that clearly inspired both PR and non-PR professionals”.