PortElizabeth
x = independently organized TED event

Theme: Through The Looking Glass

This event occurred on
July 1, 2016
10:00am - 4:00pm SAST
(UTC +2hrs)
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
South Africa

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.

local and distance audiences are expected for this charitable event Live from the NMB Met. Please Stand By.

Inspired by the sequel to Alice in Wonderland our event theme asks the you to imagine if everything was backwards. More details to follow soon...But Wait.

AFDA, Old Museum Building
28 Bird Street
Central
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, 6001
South Africa
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Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.

Bobby Shabangu

Yearning for articles native to people and traditions of Africa, in late 2012, he began to edit both Swati and English Wikipedia. “I discovered that if I don’t edit, no one will edit,” he says. “[I wanted] to activate people into talking about Wikipedia and the work they do and everything…that’s actually how I got involved with the whole thing.” Today, Bobby volunteers with the Jo’burgpediA project, which aims to improve Wikipedia’s coverage of the city of Johannesburg. The project works with institutions in the city to host editing events for students. Bobby also encourages the students who attend the events to edit in their native languages. He is also deeply involved with the South African Wikimedia chapter that promotes local awareness of the projects and their proper academic use, encourage translation efforts into local languages and support the creation of local free knowledge and media, which he says is growing stronger now more than ever.

Caleb Zealand

Caleb Zealand is 7-years old and in grade 1 at the Uitenhage Convent Roman Catholic Primary School. He has memorised the names of numerous dinosaurs from books, toys and movies. When he grows up he plans to become a palaeontologist like Dr Alan Grant in the 1990 book, Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton and the movies franchise.

Colleen Grewar

I was born to the two most unlikely parents in a coastal town called Knysna in 1967. The world seemed to be a wonderful place. What would you expect, living in the forest on a farm in Knysna. Life was simple. By day I played down in the valley with lawns so green, water so pure and mystery beyond the forest stretching into forever. By night I bathed outside in a huge metal basin. My grandfather playing the Paganini, fire burning warm, providing the only source of light, whilst night cloaked me with her dark face. I fell in love with the moon and thought her to be my mother. My grandfather, an old man with one glass eye and hardly a smile. My grandmother, with deep blue eyes, long black raven hair and a glance of kindness. My Parents worked in the City. A place I thought most unkind. I roamed on the farm from brook to forest, lost in the day and close to its heart. Little did I know of the world outside, for life was as I wanted with all I held dear to my heart.

Deshun Deysel

Mountaineer, Leadership Coach
Uitenhage-born Deshun Deysel is one of South Africa's leading female mountaineers. In her 15 year career as a high altitude mountaineer, she has been on 14 major expeditions to five continents. In 1996 she made history by being part of the first group of South Africans to plant the new democratic flag on the top of Mt. Everest. As a novice climber Deshun was only able to reach Camp 2 at 6,500 metres (550 metres short of the summit) that year. Deshun Deysel & Associates uses keynotes, coaching, seminars and adventurous experiences, to encourage leaders in their struggle to harness diversity for better work performance. Deysel is a Laureus Sport Ambassador and recipient of the Four Outstanding Young South Africans award from the Junior Chamber SA in September 1996. In 2007 and 2010 Deysel was nominated for the Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award.

Elizabeth Muller

Mrs Elizabeth Muller was the head of the Uitenhage Town library until 2009. She was responsible for most of the education programs during the school holidays. And she was also selected to represent Nelson Mandela Bay at a conference for Librarians worldwide in Sweden. She is also the co-founder of the annual Uitenhage Chess Festival now in it's 12th year.

Farah Fortune

With a diploma in PR and a business law diploma from WITS University, Farah Fortune has years of experience in the South African PR field, while also dabbling in the media when she lived in the UK. Asked why she started her own company Fortune said; “I got tired of someone else deciding how much I was worth and I wanted to afford a better lifestyle for myself and my daughter.” In 2014 Fortune won the award for Outstanding Leadership at the Women’s World Congress in India, while earlier this year she was a keynote speaker at the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards nomination event.

Joe Slingers

Being a teacher and working with students has been a highlight for Slingers who is motivated by his teachers and their organization which has its motto “let us live for our children”. An ex-School principal in the troublesome 1980s, Joe Slingers says; “It’s always important to know who you are, so when you look in the mirror you not only see yourself but those who are important to you.” One needs to ask; “What is my job what is my task what do I need to do in order to make life more meaningful, it is important to know how far one is prepared to go to do ones job and that determines our principle,”, says Slingers.

Johnson Mthembu

Johnson Mthembu is ardent about empowering black African women and deconstructing masculinity. A graduate of Rhodes University and currently pursuing a degree in law, he is passionate about social entrepreneurism and access to education which he believes plays a significant role to empowering women. Johnson is co-founder of the start-up company Stokvella which aims to improve financial stability and savings through using innovative methods.

Mdali Group

Poet, Playwright, Actor and Director Xolani Ngubelanga is the founder of the Mdali group. He was born in Port Elizabeth and is responsible for productions such as Plasma, Dinner with Bantu and more and currently facilitates drama and creative art at Emafini Primary School in KwaDwesi, Port Elizabeth. The Mdali Comprehensive and Critical Thinking Program was founded by Ngubelanga in 2014. This program encourages students to become more critical of their environment and activities around them and to be active citizens. The initiative is facilitated through promoting writing as a catalyst for change while assisting students in the comprehension of their language studies and is based at Cowan High School, New Brighton.

Nomhle Nkonyeni

Nomhle Nkonyeni is a South African actress who has appeared in numerous television productions, including Mzansi, Tsha Tsha and the 2007 mini-series Society. She also appeared in the 2004 feature film Red Dust. In 2016 she was awarded the SAFTAs Lifetime Achievement Award. She is internationally known for:Catch a Fire (2006), Of Good Report (2013) and Zulu (2013). Born in Port Elizabeth on 4 April 1942, she has been identified as a major part of the history of theatre in this country. Her contribution is immeasurable according to celebrated author and academic, Professor Z.K.G. Mda. Today she still gives back to her community in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. She trains young people in theatre production at the PE Opera House.

Siyabonga Ngcai

Siyabonga Ngcai, better known as Gqobhoz’imbawula, is an ambitious poet, storyteller, song writer, performing artist and Architectural Technologist by profession, born and raised in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. He grew up as a fine artist, Traditional and Pantsula dancer, and later found himself attached to writing short stories and poems. Gqobhoz’imbawula writes his poetry in his mother tongue, isiXhosa, addressing matters concerning physical and emotional abuse against woman and children, African history, traditional and cultural backgrounds, and other pertinent stories involving the people in our communities. He has shared his craft in countless events, poetry festivals and musical sessions along with national and international artists.

Thulani Mbambisa

Music Production
CodeKid ( real name Thulani Mbambisa) hails from Khayelitsha and is prolific generator of both music and visual art. Heroically describing himself as the new ‘ King of Pop’, his production is best highlighted on the 2015 Pink Noise EP, which seamlessly veers from stripped down techno to ambient house. Through his blog and Facebook page, he combines his music with videos and selfies to portray the image of a regal artist effortlessly gliding through the world. Cred. Bubblegumclub.co.za A message from Code reads: "I'm very honored by this opportunity of expanding knowledge in the global community. I'm very excited to be part of this initiative which I'll use to demonstrate pocket power. Pocket Power is what a mobile can do and what it has done for my career. From generating images and how I use it as an instrument to perform my music. The links below are from agencies that took time to cover my stories and involvements in the music industry as a international artist."

Thulani Ndzotyana

She is currently at Alexander Road High School. Her involvement in school societies allows her to give back to communities – something she is passionate about. She's also a part-time model with a few short film under her belt in 2013.

Trevor Watkins

Now resident in Jeffrey’s Bay, Trevor matriculated at De La Salle College in Victory Park, Johannesburg, in 1967. He started a B.Sc degree (Physics, chemistry) at Wits University in 1968, but switched to a B.Sc (Computer Science) through Unisa. After reading Ayn Rand in the early 1980’s, Trevor became a keen libertarian and has been involved with the movement ever since. Watkins has attended all but 1 of the 30 Libertarian Seminars held in South Africa, as well as FreedomFest in Las Vegas in the US. He is a co-developer of the Consent Axiom, and is on a mission to publicise this idea worldwide. He aspires to someday living in an independent libertarian enclave called Libertaria.

Wehan van Jaarsveld

Hailing from George, Wehan van Jaarsveld currently heads the Dance Department at Outeniqua High School in George and is Managing Director of the Dance Academies Group. He grew up in George and studied BMus Dance at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Contemporary dance and Classical Ballet. On completion of his qualification he joined the Cape Town City Ballet company as a full-time professional artist, but later relocated to Los Angeles. During his time in LA he was based in West-Hollywood for rehearsal periods, from where he worked abroad for the next 8 years accompanied by his wife, Jane. They returned from Hawaii in 2009 and hung up their performance shoes in exchange for a life in George, in the Southern Cape. Having performed extensively in various styles over a number of years, he is passionate about youth development through dance.

Organizing team

Ramon
Thomas

Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Organizer

Thulani
Swartbooi

Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Co-organizer
  • bruchin noeka
    Marketing/Communications
  • Ra-eef Wicomb
    Team member