PYV was launched in 2017, originally as PRISM Young Judges. It is a platform offering mentorship and skills development in partnership with the PRISM Awards and the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa.

PYV founder and convenor of the PRISM Awards, Palesa Madumo, says the training that the young judges will receive will be instrumental to their careers and serve as guidance going forward.

"Industry experts have a responsibility to mentor young minds who will plan to make a career in PR and communications. This will give 10 top candidates the opportunity to learn from industry experts, receive peer-to-peer training and receive a youth-focused perspective on competing campaigns," she says.

Applicants can be students or professionals with at least two years’ experience in the PR and communication environment or be actively involved in the industry. One of the 10 young judge slots will be awarded to a final-year student entrant studying PR or communications.

All entrants are required to submit a 500-word motivation on why they should be selected, or submit a minute-long motivation video to entries@prism-awards.co.za.

Entrants for PRISM Young Judges must:
  • be between the ages of 21 and 30
  • have at least two years’ experience in the PR and communication environment, be actively involved in the industry in one way or another or be a final-year student studying PR or communication.
  • reside in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal or the Cape.
  • tweet about their entry and tag and follow @PRISMYoungVoices. Use the hashtags #PRISMYoungVoices and #PRISMAwards20
Entries close on Friday, 7 February at 00:00. 

For more information, visit www.prisa.co.za. You can also follow PRISA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.