In 2015, a few PR and communication practitioners based in the country’s major cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe formed a Whatsapp group and started interacting on various issues, mainly focusing on professional practice. In no time, the members started holding physical meetings at which the concept of forming a fully-fledged professional body was hatched and agreed on.
On the sidelines of the 2016 Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Press Freedom Day commemorations in the lake shore district of Mangochi, some PR and communication practitioners met to map the way forward for what is today known as PRSM. An interim committee was instituted. The interim committee comprised the following:
President : Lewis Msasa, TEVETA
Vice-President : Priscilla Mateyu, Blantyre Water board
General Secretary : Telephorus Chigwenembe, NOCMA
Treasurer : Annie Magola, National Bank of Malawi
Committee members : Blessings Phumisa, MACRA & Thomas Chafunya, Mota Engil
The committee was charged with the responsibility of getting the grouping registered. Trustees were identified; a constitution was drafted and the registration process was set rolling. On 20th December, 2016, the then Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs incorporated the Public Relations Society of Malawi under the Trustees Incorporation Act (Cap.5.03) and approved the organisation’s seal.
On 4th August, 2018, PRSM held its inaugural Annual General Meeting at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi and a substantive National Governing Council was ushered into office. The organisation was at the same time officially launched, with the British High Commissioner Ms Holly Tett as the guest of honour.
In the first two years of its existence, PRSM activities were financed by members’ personal funds.