My top 5 Social Media influencers and why I 

simply follow them:

Before I can get right into it, we first need to understand what an influencer is. So basically a Social media influencer is someone who is everywhere on Social media, in which they have lots of followers, and people are always retweeting and liking their social media fan page. It is therefore very important in Public Relations to have influential people in the industry that you follow in order to understand more about them ,one day you might be handling their reputation and know what is expected in the industry.

1.Kim Kardashian West            

http://goo.gl/Z2llCQ

Kim Kardashian is a model, actress, entrepreneur, socialite and star of the reality show Keeping up with the Kardashian. I love Kim Kardashian because there is something about her that has caught everyone’s attention,and the fact that she has turned her name into a million dollar brand.You basically see her face everywhere ,and has indeed been a very smart business woman.

2. Bonang Matheba

http://goo.gl/UCi2mb

Where does one even begin with Bonang Matheba though!!!Bonang Matheba is on Radio, Television, print, web, retail, Mc’s and the list just goes on and on. What I love about Bonang is the fact that she has chosen a good team in managing her career, and one cannot stop to admire her work ethics. She has certainly accomplished a lot at such a young age. 

3. DJ Sbu

http://goo.gl/86j708

DJ Sbu is an award winning best-selling author, speaker, social entrepreneur, and has his own record label called http://www.tsrecords.co.za/.What I admire about DJ Sbu is that he is an amazing motivational speaker, and when he speaks, people listen. He has inspired me, and make us believe we can achieve anything we want through hard-work and dedication.

4. Barry Bateman

http://goo.gl/7pZcng

Barry Bateman is certainly one of my favourite Journalists out there and I simply admire his work so much. He is an Eyewitness News Senior reporter (http://ewn.co.za/ ), and behind the scene at Oscar and Reeva story. The fact that you did not have to watch the Oscar Pistorius trial but simply follow his tweets on the proceedings of the Oscar Pistorius case.

5.Deborah Patta

http://goo.gl/T4B57j

Deborah Patta is a Foreign correspondent and an Investigate Journalist. I admire her so much and how passionate she is about what she does, and the fact that she is one not afraid to state her opinion and how she feels on certain issues.

A video of DJ Sbu emphasizing the importance of Education:

Can Oscar Pistorius regain his reputation? 

Source: http://goo.gl/7sEGsF

Well we are all aware of the basics that in 14 February 2013, Blade runner Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a bathroom door in which he mistaken her for an intruder.View full story: http://goo.gl/yFtEfw  .The trial just ended in which it has been happening for the past 5 months, and viewers were able to keep up and watch it on the following link http://oscartrial.dstv.com/.

Public Relations Practitioner’s and Social media can have a huge influence in reputation management. In the early hours of 14 February 2013 after news broke on Oscar Pistorius, social media went crazy in which Journalists and people were tweeting left and right. As Public Relations Practitioner’s it is important to monitor what people say about Oscar Pistorius on social media and the trial that recently ended.

The Public Relations Practitioner’s role is not to determine whether or not Oscar Pistorius is guilty but instead to stand by him and ensure we work and rebuild his reputation. There are a number of ways in which we can ensure that we build Oscar Pistorius reputation such as working on his self-esteem, and also doing his best to change his behaviour while still being himself.

So therefore I honestly believe Oscar Pistorius can regain his reputation even though it will take time, but with the support of Public Relations and the public itself, he will  certainly be able to make it.What are your thoughts? Can Oscar Pistorius really regain his reputation?