In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

012Central
381 Helen Joseph Street, Pretoria
Pretoria, Gauteng, 0001
South Africa

Aslam Levy

Aslam is committed to improving the lives of people the world over via digital(ICT) technologies. His 12 years of experience includes involvement in projects across e-Learning, e-Marketing and now e-Government. Aslam is the National Director of Social Media for the South African Government. In 2013, he relocated to Pretoria to join the South African Government Communications and Information Systems Dept.

Bella Cox

Bella Cox (also known as B-Lyrical) is a spoken word performance poet, vocalist and media creator. She has been performing as a poet in and around South Africa since early 2014 and has performed as a singer in the UK, Kenya and South Africa as well.

Danai Nhando

Danai Nhando is a Human Rights Lawyer turned Equitable Education Advocate. She is passionate about Africa, the education of its people and the upholding of justice based on principles of fairness and equity.

Ett Venter

Ett is a photographer based in Pretoria. He goes out of his way to create work that has a candid and natural feel to it. He is also very passionate about teaching, so he teaches various workshops and speaks at various conferences around South Africa throughout the year.

Helen Susannah Webb

Dr Helen Webb is a disabled scientist, researcher and athlete. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry as well as degrees in Genetics, Microbiology, Linguistics and Psychology. Helen is visually impaired, with 10% of normal vision. Her disability is caused by albinism. She recently made a dramatic exit from corporate life and currently exists in a space between academia, science education and non-profit organisation environments. Helen is passionate about improving the lives of people living with albinism in South Africa and is the co-founder of the NPO Love, this Skin. She also tries to enthuse South African youths about STEM through her alter ego Princess Pi. Helen is an avid runner and currently is the only visually impaired female triathlete competing in Africa.

Junita Van der Colff

Junita is passionate about empowering people and organisations to think differently about the way they do business. Over the past few years, Junita has consulted some of the biggest and most sought after organisations in South Africa and Africa – empowering boards and executives to ensure sustainability and resilience within their organisations. Junita sees herself as a change agent, using her consulting insight and expertise to add value to organisations. She is innovative in her approach and believes that organisational culture, buy-in and corporate responsibility are some of the most important aspects to ensure sustainable business practices.

Kenneth Diole

Kenneth Diole currently works at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in the youth programmes. His work has included advocating for young people to be represented at international conferences such as United Nations and World Humanitarian Summit. He is passionate about re-imaging youth development to meet the needs of the current generation of young people with regards to economic opportunities and social upliftment and has utilized platforms such as Euro-BRICS youth platform to do so. He is a writer on all things youth, politics and entrepreneurship and has been featured in newspapers like Pretoria News. He is a Model United Nations (MUN) debater and has won the World Championships in 2015, becoming the first South African to do so. He has also won the National Universities MUN championships and East African Regional MUN championships. Lastly, he has been recognized as one of the top 150 influencers to attend the 2016 Socio-economic Future of South Africa (SEFSA). His future plans are to ensure that young people remain at the centre of any developmental plans in various platforms.

Mandla Dube

Mandlankayise Walter Dube (Director/Producer/Co-Screenwriter) is a writer and an award-winning South African cinematographer. His diverse work includes documentaries, shorts, theatre and feature films. He also produced music videos for Sony, City of Tshwane, and the South African Post Office. Mandla’s work in feature films includes Tsotsi, The Italian Job, Strike Back, Angel Heart, and Umtunzi we Ntaba. His recent feature film ‘Kalushi’ won Best Film of South Africa, Best Original Song at the RapidLion Film Festival and also won the Chairman’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival. Thabo Rametsi won Best Actor at the BRICS Film Festival.

Michael Stevens

Michael Stevens has never allowed his disability to stand in the way of anything he has set out to achieve in life. At the age of 12 Michael suffered third-degree burns which cover 70% of his body and had both legs amputated - one above the knee and one below. Mike does not like labels or titles, as they limit thinking. But if they must be used then he sees himself as a world-traveling, entrepreneurial agent of change. Mike knows from experience that with quality prosthetic equipment, amputee kids can do anything.

Mpumelelo Mfula

Mpumelelo Mfula, popularly known as, Frypan, on the streets is a 26 Wits graduate with a bachelors degree majoring in Political Studies and International Relations as well as a honors degree in Political Studies. His approach to entrepreneurship is based on finding solutions to challenges faced by fellow young African entrepreneurs. His first formal business is RHTC Online Store (www.rhtconline.com), an acronym for “Returning Home To Create”, which is an online store dedicated to marketing and distributing African owned street wear brands to an international market which currently distributes 13 leading African brands. RHTC has also hosted workshops aimed at its high school customers to endorse a culture of exploring a creative alternative in pursuit of their personal goals. His most recent venture is a company called The Playground (www.playgroundsa.com ) which creates mobile, multi-functional and premium yet affordable furniture for modern entrepreneurs. The Playground’s goal is to democratise premium capability to more young people in order to allow them the opportunity to enter the entrepreneurship space with one less challenge

Mpumulelo Mfula

Mpumelelo Mfula, popularly known as, Frypan, on the streets is a 26 Wits graduate with a bachelors degree majoring in Political Studies and International Relations as well as a honors degree in Political Studies. His approach to entrepreneurship is based on finding solutions to challenges faced by fellow young African entrepreneurs. His first formal business is RHTC Online Store (www.rhtconline.com), an acronym for “Returning Home To Create”, which is an online store dedicated to marketing and distributing African owned street wear brands to an international market which currently distributes 13 leading African brands. RHTC has also hosted workshops aimed at its high school customers to endorse a culture of exploring a creative alternative in pursuit of their personal goals. His most recent venture is a company called The Playground (www.playgroundsa.com ) which creates mobile, multi-functional and premium yet affordable furniture for modern entrepreneurs. The Playground’s goal is to democratise premium capability to more young people in order to allow them the opportunity to enter the entrepreneurship space with one less challenge.

Paula Quinsee

Paula Quinsee, relationship expert and author of Embracing Conflict, works with individuals and companies by providing insights, tools and skills to immediately and positively enhance the quality of their personal and organisational relationships. She has appeared in the media several times, spoken on various platforms- most recently at the SA Innovation Summit and is a consultant to the Married at First Sight SA TV show. Inspiring, motivating and touching people’s lives is her passion

Phila Lubusi

Phila Lubisi was born in Kwazulu-Natal, in the small town of Pongola. His parents moved to the neighbouring town, Piet-Retief, before finally settling down in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. At a young age, he learnt to be very independent when times were tough living in one room with his parents. He started selling sweets at school in order to earn pocket money. Growing up in a family run commune, he was always exposed to different personalities. At times, this meant at the expense of personal space. At one point, he was sharing a room with 7 other tenants. This meant he knew the sacrifices that were behind his private school education. The University of Pretoria was the place where this tall, slender guy from Witbank would come into his own and find his individuality. Initially rejected by the University, his ambition led him to be in the top 15% academic achievers of 2012 by the Golden Key International Society. This inspired greater things. Phila is now a motivational speaker and youth mentor and founder of ""Me,We"" youth mentorship program where he mentors students aged 17-22. From 9-5 he serves as a consultant for a Global Media Intelligence company, Meltwater. I often say that I don’t have a 5, 10 or even 20-year plan but I do have a 100-year plan. I wish to serve the world with distinction. I hope future generations of African children will feed off my work and be inspired to live their lives without limits.

Simphiwe Petros

Radio personality, TV presenter and speaker, Simphiwe Petros, is an individual who strives to leave his mark on the youth of South Africa. He is an individual who continually aims to develop himself, to break barriers and inspire people through the life he lives. Simphiwe is the Co-Founder of Unplugged & InCharge, which is a youth movement. It strives to shift youth culture by eradicating stereotypes and providing platforms for individuals to know their worth and take charge of their future, no matter what circumstances they come from.