Ever watched a TED (Technology, Education, Design) video and felt a little jealous that you couldn’t be there in person, basking in the reflected glory of very clever speakers talking about very clever things? While ticket prices for the annual TED event are high enough to mean most of us will never make it, there’s a global network of spin-off events called TEDx which gives us norms the chance to experience something like it. Best of all, they’re free (update – it costs R900, apparently there’s a $100 limit on tickets for a TEDx event). And there’s one coming to a town near you.
Speakers have been confirmed for TEDxJohannesburg, which will take place on 15th August at The Forum in Bryanston. There’s 15 in total, and as the official site says:
includes the worlds biggest breeder of rhinos; a red head who collects red heads; a saxophonist with a PhD in Physics; a filmmaker with a Masters in Journalism; diving partners who will teach us a thing or two about life, love and business; a design thinker; an African living in China; a man with a plan to fix the South African civil service; and a talk from one of the best DJs in the world.
Other highlights include Yusuf Abramjee, head of Crime Line and Lead SA activist, Zimbabwean storyteller Panashe Chigumadzi and Ravi Chhatpar, an ‘Innovation Evangelist’ who has written for Harvard Business Review and the Economist.
We don’t know whether the dangling participle at the start means the rhino breeder is exceptionally overweight, their rhino’s are particularly oversized or just that the herd is large. I’d assume the latter. Either way, it’s going to be an interesting talk.
TED talks and TEDx talks almost always include something of interest. South Africa’s own popular tech pundit and editor of Stuff magazine, Toby Shapshack, recently took part in TEDxGlobal in Scotland to explain African innovation to the rest of the world. Many of the speakers at TED proper are selected on the basis of TEDx talks. Plus it’ll be a great day and a chance to talk about tech in a uniquely South African environment. Book your free seat now – and fast, as spaces are limited.
