Theme: I was here

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).

Spier Wine Farm
R310 Baden Powell Drive Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7603
South Africa

AILEEN HLONGOANE

Attorney

Aileen Hlongoane is the founder and president of Pledge a Pad (PAP) NPC (non-profit company). The PAP team works selflessly and tirelessly to collect, distribute sanitary pad to underprivileged girls. They also conduct workshops to educated young women about personal hygiene, with particular emphasis on the menstrual cycle. Aileen Tsakane Hlongoane is from Kwa-Ndebele , Mpumalanga Province. Aileen, who holds an LLB degree from UP and is an admitted attorney, is currently practising at Fivaz incorporated attorneys in Centurion. She is passionate about community development, particularly uplifting young girls. She subscribes to the philosophy that: “I am because you are and since you are, therefore I am.”

CHRIS BERTISH

Professional Speaker/Surfer

In his popular Inspirational talks, Chris doesn’t just talk about what he does (believe it or not, he’s not one to brag about his achievements). Instead, he talks about why he does it. Because like every successful sportsperson, team-leader, businessperson or entrepreneur, Chris knows that it’s the reasons why we do something that determine how we do it – or whether we do it at all. There’s an authenticity to this material that makes people sit up and listen Chris has become a sought after global speaker. There’s an authenticity to this material that makes people sit up and listen – because Chris walks his talk. Chris is not a full-time professional athlete; he’s a regular working guy. He was running his own small business while he did the tough training. Chris is living proof that if you truly believe in something and work hard at it, you can achieve anything.

Ella Bella Constantinides-Leite

Educational Officer

Ella Bella is the founder of Generation Earth and the educational officer of the Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme. Generation Earth is a South African-based youth driven environmental group initiating change from grassroots levels by the youth for the benefit of future generations and industries. She has also been a spokesperson and active youth ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Youth Programme for the past seven years. After being named one of the Mail and Guardian’s Most Influential Young People of 2012- 2013, Ella Bella was awarded the Greening the Future Award: The Sudley Adams Memorial Award for Outstanding Reach, Innovation and Sustainability among the Youth of South Africa through Generation Earth. She is also a is a passionate diehard environmentalist that leaves no stone unturned in the quest to change mind sets and behaviour.

JOHAN SNYDERS

Director/ Development of Progressive Prosthetics

A leg fracture as a teen made Johan Snyders choose prosthetics as a career. Upon graduating he opened a prosthetic rehabilation facility in the Middle East. There he worked with international manufacturers such as Ossur, a leading international prosthetic component manufacturer, who offered him a job. This took him around the world and allowed him to gain experience manufacturing basic and high end prosthetic solutions. His role moved towards research and development in socket technology. He was a part of a team that created a new socket manufacturing framework which changed the materials and time frames involved in prosthetics fitment. Seeing the potential of this socket technology in South Africa, he came back to SA and opened Icexpress Prosthetics. Johan started Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund to fund high end solutions for amputee children so they could attend mainstream schools, play sports and lead an active lifestyle.

Kgomotso Sebitlo

Student

Kgomotso is a honours student in Financial Risk Management, combined theoretical and practical knowledge which include statistical software packages, specifically SAS Risk Dimensions, R-Programming, and Practical Financial Modelling (VBA).

MICHAEL STEVENS STEVENS

Operations Manager

At the age of 12 Michael was electrocuted by high voltage lines, leading to third degree burns to 70% of his body. Both his legs were amputated - one above knee, one below knee. Michael attended King Edward VII School, completed a degree in marketing and PR at UJ before doing a post graduate in business administration at WITS business school. He managed a BMW dealership for a number of years before going into property investment. Meeting Johan in the build-up to London 2012 introduced Mike to Jumping Kids and a competition he won to work for a nonprofit of his choice brought him into the team. He is a trustee, Jumping Kids operations manager and is currently studying Social Entrepreneurship at GIBS in order to develop Jumping Kids into a social enterprise capable of dealing with the issue of childhood amputation in South Africa.

MOSIDI MODISE

Analyst

Her journey in life has allowed her many great opportunities - running her own award-winning guesthouse at 20, finishing off an MBA at 25. She is passionate about working at Allan Gray, assuming a role that gives her a chance to lend her experience as an entrepreneur to be an intrapreneur. Mosidi has a great passion for social upliftment and is the Co-founder of GrowthShoot Inc as well as the curator of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Stellenbosch Hub. With a vision to create multiple agripreneurs, one community and one country at time, she co-founded GrowthShoot - which empowers young farmers to build great businesses. Through the Global Shapers Hub she aims to be a catalyst for social change and community building, through Hub-led projects and collaborative opportunities with other organisations in the Cape winelands region .

SIHLE TSHABALALA

CEO / Social Entrepreneur

Sihle Tshabalala, co-founder and CEO of Brothers for All/Up for All, is an ex-offender. During his time in prison, he became a key member of the Group of Hope programme (a prisoner-initiated project), and decided to spend his life helping others avoid the mistakes he had made. Since leaving prison, he co-founded Brothers for All and taught himself how to code. He has become a key voice in his community. He teaches Computer Programming/Coding, Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing and Graphic Design to high school drop outs, teenage moms, unemployed youth, ex-offenders and offenders. He has presented at the Durban AIDS conference, spoken widely on TV and radio and was awarded 2014 LeadSA’s Hero of the month, 2015 LeadSA’s Future Leader, Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans and 2015 Spark Changemaker.

Zipho Sikhakhane

International Speaker / Writer/ Business Advisor

Zipho Sikhakhane is an international speaker, writer, poet, and business advisor. She has presented to audiences across four continents, including a TEDx Talk delivered in the USA on Africa’s potential. She is passionate about helping individuals and businesses realise their growth potential. Zipho was born and raised in a township in KwaZulu Natal by a single parent. She started leading entrepreneurial projects when she was five years old in order to provide her family with income. Through hard work and determination, she overcame many challenges faced by individuals growing up in disadvantaged communities. She has a Business Science Degree from the University of Cape Town (obtained with honors and distinctions) and an MBA from Stanford University, USA. Both her Degree and Masters were completed on full scholarship. She also completed courses in China, Russia and Czech Republic.