While September may seem distant, the Department of Marketing and Communications is already in high gear, initiating unusually early planning for its annual Empowered Administrators Conference (EAC). The decision stems from the ambition to deliver a uniquely packed and interactive programme for the 2026 event.
In a strategic two-day lekgotla that concluded on 18 February 2026, the department collaborated with Sandile Mahlaba of Microsoft to explore innovative ways to frame the conference. The central theme of the discussion was the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elevate the event beyond its traditional format.
Mahlaba detailed how AI, once regarded as an “enemy,” could be harnessed to enhance the entire conference experience. He emphasised a fundamental shift in the event’s structure, advising that the 2026 programme should be delegate-centric.
“The delegates are at the centre; they must be the ones who should deliver, not the presenters,” Mahlaba stated. He proposed a format in which attendees actively contribute and lead discussions to improve office management processes, a model that requires significant engagement well before the conference dates.
To underscore his points, Mahlaba used AI to demonstrate practical applications and urged the department to begin building excitement immediately, advising them to “start making the noise now.”
Following the productive session, the Department of Marketing and Communications will soon reconvene to translate these innovative concepts into a formal plan of action, setting the stage for a groundbreaking 2026 Empowered Administrators Conference.