By Enos Masaga – Art in Tanzania internship
Public relations is an essential and versatile marketing communication tool. It can be employed internally and externally in an organization with many fees. Public relations is an external marketing tool, with the firm attempting to communicate with a wide range of external publics to cast the organization in a favourite light in people’s minds. In 1995 public relations professionals emerged in Tanzania. The first university to offer this faculty is Saint August the University of Tanzania (SAUT), named PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING and followed by the University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM), named PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING, Tumain University, and the National Institute of Transport (NIT) named MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.
The United Republic of Tanzania has recognized the introduction of public relations association under the societies Acts (CAP 337 R.E. 2002) Among of the association is the National Public Relations Association (NPRA), the Saut Student Public Relations Association (SSPRA), the University of Dar es salaam advertising student association (UDPRASA), Marketing and public relations association national institute of accountancy ( MPRA) , Tumaini public relations student association (TPSA) Public relations association introduced in the university and higher learning institutions purpose to expose news skills and knowledge for the PR students on strategic communication, event preparations, community relations, charity, developing community involvement programs, understanding them WHAT is PR and NOT,
In 2005, the Public Relations Society of Tanzania ( PRST ) was governed by a board of trustees and executive committee and encompassed different kinds of membership in the association. It’s the body that regulates the practice of public relations professionals in Tanzania by overseeing, directing, and facilitating the professionals who adhere to the highest standards and are excellent in all aspects of communication.
Public relations association has significant economic, social and political aspects, enabling the community to strengthen their dream by encouraging them to develop skills and talent. For example, NPRA YOUTH GALA in 2018 allowed people to demonstrate their talent during the event. Also, it enabled society to ensure human rights and emphasises equal participation among them by showing the negative impact of genital mutilation on children and telling them the body has an equal right to participate in decision-making without regard to its colour, religion or age.
