​The Gauteng Department of Health's Head of Communication, Motalatale Modiba,  has done the department and province as a whole proud by immerging as the 2023 Media Liaison/Spokesperson of the Year at an annual national competition.
The award is part of the National Press Club and North-West University's Journalist of the Year Competition, which recognises excellence in media liaison, print, online, and broadcast media, and community journalism. The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday night (17 April) at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Modiba said this comes at a time when government communication is under constant scrutiny. "I hope this accolade will demonstrate to the GDoH Communication team, and other communicators in the public service especially in Gauteng, that we have what it takes to be counted among the best in the game. And that we do not have to wait for a perfect environment to demonstrate our value. We can be the generation that rewrites the script for government communication as a whole."
He further emphasised that accolades serve as an important reflection point to assess the impact and value of the work being done. "For us as team GDoH Communication, we do not do our work to win awards. We do it because we are driven by a desire to make a meaningful contribution into the lives of others." 
Modiba was selected as the winner by a panel of expert judges in public relations and communication based on a portfolio showcasing originality, creativity, impact, and effective use of various communication mediums during January to December 2023.
He reasons that this success can be attributed to several initiatives including the support received especially at the level of the executive authority. 
"We had to define a clear vision and get the team to buy into that vision. This included developing at a change and impact-driven communication strategy to ensure that we are proactive in communicating our programmes and we are equally responsive in dealing with emerging issues and crisis situations.
"For example, we transformed our newsletter The News Bulletin to be externally focused. It now serves as a positive news source for the Department with media houses using the publication as a reference point for developments withing the health sector."
Modiba adds that the Communications Chief Directorate has introduced a Digital Unit which has intensified the use of multimedia campaigns to tell compelling and inspirational human-interest stories, offering hope to communities about the public healthcare system.
Reflecting on the advocacy and crisis communication, he points that the Department has been instrumental in communicating during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, measles and cholera outbreaks, and awareness campaigns on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination amongst others.
"Having reached this level the challenge going forward is to sustain the momentum and extend this to all facilities and districts. We also need programme managers to continue elevating the Department's work through collaboration with communication teams across the system. Everyone must do their part to tell the story of this Department for the tide has indeed turned," said Modiba.