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).

University Way
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6001
South Africa

Daniel Ndima

Chief Executive Officer of CapeBio Technologies

Daniel Ndima has a Bachelor’s & Honours degree in Biotechnology from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) & a Masters degree in Biochemistry from the University of Pretoria. He was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award at UWC. He's an Allan Gray Fellow, Mandela Rhodes Scholar, Brightest Young Minds alumnus, he is an African Influencers for Change as listed by UDNP Africa, a careers 1825 role model & was featured in Africa Innovates Magazine. He was a speaker at the National Coronavirus Pandemic Conference & participated in United Nations dialogue on Africa's preparedness to combat COVID-19. He is a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African (2021). A three times finalist at the 2022 Black Industrialists Conference for the Black Industrialist Excellence Awards. He obtained the Black Industrialist Excellence Award: Innovation and Technology awarded by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He won the Top African Biotechnology Entrepreneur Award at the BIO Africa Convention 2022.

Dr Judy Dlamini

Founder and Executive Chairman of Mbekani Group

Judy is an entrepreneur, author & philanthropist. Education: MBChB from UKZN, MBA from Wits University, PhD in Business Leadership from UNISA, a Stanford Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Wits. Worked for HSBC Investment Bank. Founder and Executive Chairman for Mbekani Group & is a non-executive director of SA SME Fund. Chairs: Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre & GBVF Response Fund. Former Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare Limited. Previous board appointments: Anglo American plc, Discovery Holdings, & Woolworths Holdings. Author of ‘’Equal but Different”; “The Other Story” & “Grow to be Great”. Judy has won multiple awards; Honorary Doctorates: Nelson Mandela University in 2018 & University of Kwa-Zulu Natal 2019. Co-founder Mkhiwa Trust. Founder of Female Academic Leaders Fellowship. Chancellor of Wits University.

Dr Phiyani Lebea

Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer at TokaBio (Pty) LTD

Dr Phiyani Lebea has been in the diagnostics field for over 10 years with experience within the public research institute (CSIR) and the private sector. He also worked at Roche Diagnostics. His interests include design, development and commercialisation of animal/human pathogen detection and diagnostics assays. He has academic interests in animal vaccine design and development in line with the One Health concept. His interests include recent focus on animal disease control to facilitate export of animal commodities in the African continent. Dr Phiyani Lebea is currently the Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer at TokaBio (Pty) Ltd. Within TokaBio he is responsible for commercialisation and validation of a pipeline of point-of-care detection assays that have relevance to the African continent. His group at TokaBio is responsible for development of isothermal PCR assays for the detection of South African variant of SARS-CoV-2

Mike Abel

Executive Chairman & Founding Partner of M&C Saatchi Group South Africa and M&C Saatchi Abel

With 35 years of experience in FMCG, financial services, automotive and retail advertising, Mike Abel is recognized as one of Africa’s leading marketing, advertising and communications specialists. He has co-led the largest communications group in Africa, Ogilvy South Africa; he ran the prestigious M&C Saatchi Group in Australia; and in February 2010, he founded M&C Saatchi Abel, In 2012, it was recognised as the Breakthrough Agency in South Africa by Finweek, and Mike was honoured as the Advertising Achiever of the Year. In 2015. M&C Saatchi Abel was named Agency of the Year by Financial Mail. Today the M&C Saatchi Group comprises seven companies across Africa: M&C Saatchi Abel (Cape Town and Johannesburg), Connect, M&C Saatchi Africa, Black & White Consulting, Levergy and Razor. He is a regularly published columnist and sought-after public speaker, and holds a strong interest in furthering global interest in contemporary African art.

Prof Margaret Cullen

Professor at Nelson Mandela University Business School

Professor Margaret Cullen lectures to Master of Business Administration (MBA) and DBA students at Nelson Mandela University Business School. She heads up the Strategic Focus area of Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking and Innovation. Professor Cullen, a full professor at the Nelson Mandela University Business School, is a sought-after speaker and business consultant. Professor Cullen has co-authored and authored several research articles, book chapters and attended numerous academic conferences, both nationally and internationally. Professor Cullen consults in the areas of happiness, experiential and strategic marketing, strategy, family business and entrepreneurship. She is passionate about making a difference through the correct delivery of entrepreneurial teaching and thinking. Professor Cullen is currently focusing on research in Happiness.

Prof Paul Watts

SARChi Research Chair in Microfluidic Bio/Chemical Processing

Prof Paul Watts graduated from the University of Bristol with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in chemistry. He obtained a PhD in bio-organic natural product chemistry. Worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Hull. In 2002, he was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Hull, being fast-tracked to full professor in August 2011. In 2013, Prof Watts moved to Nelson Mandela University and holds the distinguished position of SARChI Research Chair in Microfluidic Bio/Chemical Processing and has a B1 NRF research rating. In total Prof Watts has published over 130 highly cited papers in peer reviewed journals. In 2011 was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry in recognition of his achievements. Prof Watts has an h-index of 35. He have given over 200 conference presentations and industry focused lectures. In more recent years he has also been asked to chair numerous conferences and workshops on the technology.