Theme: Pause and Effect

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).

Workshop17, Watershed
40 Dock Road
Cape Town, Western Cape, 8002
South Africa

Adewale Adejumo

Managing Director

Adewale Adejumo, or Wale as he prefers to be called, is the Founder and Managing Director of Zasttra - one of the fastest growing online retail stores in South Africa. Wale is passionate about sharing his experiences with those starting an entrepreneurial journey to help them learn from his experiences. He’s excited about the platform TEDxCapeTown presents to share and connect with other individuals and organisations who want to help empower a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Carryn Ortlepp

COO

Carryn Ortlepp is the Chief Operations Officer at a Cape Town-based leadership development consultancy called Lockstep. Under the Lockstep banner, she also facilitates a dedicated leadership program focussed on NGO leaders and her side hustle / passion project is speaker and presentation coaching.

Cindy Mkaza-Siboto

Educator

Recognised as one of the 100 Brightest Young Minds in Africa, Cindy Mkaza-Siboto is the co-founder of Emagqabini Education Academy, an educational non-profit organisation operating in Site B Khayelitsha.

Gill Grose

Volunteer Librarian

Gill Grose describes herself simply as a sixty-something serial volunteer who is a book, travel and tree lover, but there is far more to her story.

Jared Molko

Skills Developer

Jared Molko is an ex-Googler who has worked across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, where he had a variety of roles. During his seven-year tenure, he completed a Masters Degree in Analytical Psychology. He's now back in South Africa and focusing his attention on the intersection between psychology and technology, with the aim of improving mass job placement and skill development for entry-level workers.

Lauren Jacobs

Herstorian

Lauren Jacobs is a ‘Her’storian, a word she chooses to describe herself as she is passionate about discovering and sharing women’s stories, especially from the past. She began her career as a woman abuse counselor before spending the past decade as a Social Justice journalist. Her work focuses on gendercide, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child brides, female literacy, theology and gender equality, as well as human trafficking and female atonement rituals in Africa. Her debut historical fiction book Yehudit Chosen by God (2016), won the prestigious ‘Desmond Tutu - Gerrit Brand Award’ 2017 for its powerful stand on justice for women. Her second historical work Shelamzion, Queen of Israel was released in September 2018.

Ndoni Mcunu

PHD candidate

Ndoni Mcunu is a PhD Candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Global Change Institute and the Founder & CEO of Black Women in Science (BWIS), a registered non-profit organization which aims to deliver capacity development interventions that target young black women scientists and researchers.

Nicki Spies

Doctor

Dr Nicki Spies is a corporate coach, trainer, facilitator, gender discourse analyst and narrative practitioner.

Penni Cox

Psychologist

Penni Cox is a well established psychologist spending the past decade working in a variety of contexts, from patient clinics to private practice, and the humanitarian sector.

Preston Jongbloed

Public Speaker

The talented Preston Jongbloed loves people, something that shines through in every project he takes on whether it is public speaking or presenting on the radio. He currently dedicates much of his time to the Refocus Foundation, an organisation which specialises in working with youth at risk.

Rich Mulholland

Entrepreneur

Richard Mulholland is an ex-Rock ‘n Roll roadie, entrepreneur and renowned speaker who has presented his ideas in many countries including Canada, Puerto Rico, UK, USA, Germany, Kenya and Pakistan. Not only is he the co-founder of TalkDrawer and Missing Link, Richard has also authored two books, has been voted Destiny Man top 40 under 40, and is one of Mail and Guardian's top 300 South Africans to take to lunch.

Sam Beckbessinger

Entrepreneur

Sam Beckbessinger is a writer, user-experience designer and entrepreneur who is on a quest to help the emerging middle class understand how to take charge of their finances. Author of ‘Manage Your Money Like a F*cking Grown Up’, she is also a co-founder of Lettuce, an app that wants to make managing your money as simple as making toast. She also lectures extensively on personal finances and designing for behaviour change, and writes for television.

Tegan Phillips

Adevnturer and comic artist

Tegan is an adventurer, avid cyclist, comic artist and the creator of Unclipped Adventure comics. She first tried her hand at drawing as a way to win a touring bike and gear in a contest. Little did she know, that by winning the bike her life was destined for a dramatic change that would set her off riding it across the globe.

Verity Price

Facilitator

Verity is a former singer/songwriter who became one of the forerunners of crowdfunding in South Africa when she sold 2000 copies of her album that ‘didn’t exist’ in 2006. As a result, she is a sought after speaker on innovation and the power of thinking differently, and now owns and runs TAP Results where she’s a full-time speaker and facilitator.