Theme: Ask Why

At the beginning our 2015 tenure, we headed into the 2nd term of the TEDxUFS project with much energy, wielding a very innovative theme, which was bound to spark up creative TEDxtalks and very robust engagements; the theme for the TEDxUFS project for 2015 was: “Ask Why: thinking critically about the world today, under-pinned by the ever-changing landscape of technology, politics, science, entertainment, business and design, thus seeking a deeper understanding of why things are, how things work, and why are they the way that they are, a call for a nation to rise, and ask why”. An anonymous author once said this inspiration words about the word “why”: “Why! It is a small word, but it is a quick, sharp, broad and abrupt word. It is the chosen word for the non-conformist, the defiant and the visionary, it is the word for change of society, and it is a word for those who believe in the power of ideas. It is the word used challenge ideas and value that are unnecessary, bringing endless possibilities and enduring zeal for tomorrow’s change, today. It’s a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible. If you are not afraid to ask why you can change whatever it is you want”.

We as the students at the University of the Free State, specifically the organizers of the TEDx chapter of the TEDxUFS regard ourselves as influential student leaders. We are active citizens that are aware of the status quo in our society, we are aware of the landscape of current affairs in the various fields, and unlike the many who are negative about the future of our country, we have decided to spread a positive message, a message of hope and progress. This is seen in the whole framework our production, from the theme, the speakers, and the type of guests we invited to this event, hence we have extended the invitation to big names such as Gareth Cliff, Mmusi Maimane, Gil Oved, Jonathan Jansen, etc.; since they are leaders in our society, and they envisage a positive future for our country and the world, we believed that their contribution would be immensely boosting for our university, city of Bloemfontein and South Africa as a whole. We as the students of the University of the Free State believe in a great future for our country, we believe that the youth are rising and are taking over the world through the power of their ideas, and through the example that was set by the formidable line up we had hosted, they will see that it is possible to envision an ideal, then, through hard work and perseverance, they will realize it in its fullness.

University Road
Bloemfontein, Free State, 9301
South Africa

Angelo Mockie

Angelo Mockie has been running his own production company called “FAT productions” since 2005, but only made his debut as writer/di-rector at the 2006 Volksblad Arts festival. From then on, he featured in vari-ous professional productions as actor, director, musical director, musician or choreographer. Some of the highlights of his professional career include, travelling to Rwanda and Egypt as dancer for the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State; Directing “Rocking @ Heaven’s gates”, “Ja Jy Kan” and “Voet-spore” for the Volksblad Arts Festival; He most recently directed the award winning production “Te veel vir ‘n Colored Girl” produced and acted in RENT the Broadway musical, directed the Broadway musical FAME, Athol Fugard’s My Children My Africa, music director for both Sibongile Khumalo and PJ Pow-ers and session drummer for the musical production e Distant Drum, the story of Nat Nakasa featuring European violinist Daniel Hope

Brian Kally

Brian Kally, the CEO of Arrow Logistics (Pty) Ltd, commenced his Transport and Logistics career in 1981 at the age of 17. Due to financial constraints, he was forced to drop out of school and seek employment. Little did he realise that his commencement as a general worker would one day culminate in him becoming a Director in the company. Being educationally impoverished, he went on to study and achieved a diploma in Road Transportation through the Rand Afrikaans University. After 25 years as an employee, he was afforded the opportunity to start his very own transport business. Brian believes that his dedication and tangible work ethic with his company resulted in him being given a chance of a lifetime. What began as a trial project in July 2006, materialised into his company becoming a major transport role player in the industry. Today the company owns a fleet of trucks and employs over 120 people. Brian Kally lives in Bloemfontein South Africa

Dr.Melody Mentz

Dr Melody Mentz is an independent research and evaluation consultant based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She focuses on the higher education sector, working on a wide range of projects in the areas of (i) innovation in educational delivery; (ii) information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning; (iii) mixed-methods research initiatives in the academic and private sectors; and (iv) the monitoring and evaluation of research leadership development.

Gareth Cliff

Gareth Cliff is one of South African radio’s most prominent personalities. Founder and President of CliffCentral.com (host of “The Gareth Cliff Show”) and MNet Idols judge. On 1st May 2014, Gareth took the giant leap from traditional terrestrial radio to the future of internet and mobile with the aim of creating the pre-eminent “infotainment” online content hub. It’s about sharing in real conversations - everything that happens in our world - everything we all experience every day – what makes us think...makes us laugh...makes us cry...makes us angry...inspires us...empowers us...what makes us human. Gareth has won numerous awards over the years for best radio and television personality and presenter and regularly hosts events both as an MC, speaker and a conference facilitator. Beyond the public eye, Gareth has demonstrated his commitment to his audience and passion about South Africa by generously giving of his time to causes that are close to his heart.

Gil Oved

Gil Oved is a South African entrepreneur whose portfolio includes digital, activations, production, and field marketing services. Best known as one of the "Dragons", - a group of investors who offer ordinary South Africans investment in their businesses - in the Mzansi Magic reality show, Dragons' Den. Fourteen years after his online trading venture went bust in 2001, today he helms a R600 million turn over company that employs almost a thousand staff members, The Creative Counsel, South Africa's biggest advertising group, which runs up to 300 campaigns a year. Oved also assumed the role of Young Presidents' Organisation's Chapter Chair for Johannesburg, and, together with his business partner, was awarded the 2013 ABSA Unlisted Company Award for business excellence and entrepreneurship.

Mmusi Maimane

Mmusi Aloysias Maimane is a South African politician, the leader of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) political party since 10 May 2015, and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa since 29 May 2014. He is the former leader of the DA in the Johannesburg City Council and the former DA National Spokesperson. His rise to national attention began in 2011, when he was elected to be the DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate in the 2011 municipal elections. In that election, Maimane helped to grow the party's voter base considerably,[3] but was not elected Mayor. Thereafter he served as Leader of the Official Opposition on the Johannesburg City Council until May 2014. In addition to his political career, he is also a pastor and elder of the conservative (Christian) Liberty Church.[4]

Pamela Nomvete

Pamela Nomvete is a South African actress. She has appeared in various roles, including in the series Generations and Behind the Badge, as well as the films A Reasonable Man and Orion's Key. Nomvete also starred in the film Zulu Love Letter, which was screened at the 2004 Cannes, Toronto and Venice film festivals. She trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, and won best actress award at fespaco 2004. Nomvete was born in Ethiopia and moved to South Africa in 1994

Pepe Marais

Pepe Marais is currently a Senior Partner and the Chief Creative Officer at Joe Public South Africa/United. Armed with a Graphic Design diploma from a small art school in Woodstock, Cape Town, and a portfolio filled with puns, Pepe walked into the offices of Tholet Sievers & Associates at the end of 1991 and was employed on the spot. Seven years later, he partnered with Gareth Leck to open the doors to their own advertising agency, Joe Public. During its first year of business Joe Public won Financial Mail’s coveted Emerging Agency Award and was nominated as one of SA’s most promising companies to watch in its second year. Whilst in their third year of business the duo went on to sell their revolutionary Take-Away Advertising concept to DraftFCB America.

Philippa Tumubweinee

hilippa Tumubweinee is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State [UFS] South Africa, a co-Founder and Director of IZUBA INafrica and a Doctoral student at the University of the Free State, South Africa. After completing her M.Arch. Prof degree in 2006 with a notable distinction in Construction, Philippa was introduced to Academia while Teaching at the dept. of Architecture, University of Pretoria as an assistant Studio Master in the First Year Studio from where she progressed on to join the dept. of Architecture, University of Johannesburg [UJ] South Africa.

Pieter Geldenhuys

Pieter is an Internationally renowned futurist and expert in the field of Innovation and Technology Strategy. He is the founder and Director of the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation, a boutique consultancy that allows companies to leverage their own innovative potential. The Institute has delivered more than 3000 students and 80 innovation projects across the technology & financial landscape over the past decade. He was the previous Vice-Chair of the Innovation Focus Group at the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Switzerland, and assists numerous post-doctorial students in Europe with their research on technology’s impact on the future.