Theme: Hacking Today, Shaping Tomorrow.

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).

The Station Urban Events Space
65 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001
South Africa

Chikondi Gurira

Chikondi trained as an Agricultural Engineer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She currently manages a consulting engineering office for MESCA Agri Engineers (previously EVN Africa Consulting Services), where she designs and manages the construction of Civil, Structural and Agricultural infrastructure across the province of KwaZulu Natal (KZN). Equipped with an ESTP personality, a lineage of multiple Southern African countries and the unique perspective of a female immigrant in South Africa’s male-dominated agricultural and engineering industries. Chikondi has managed to thrive in her industry while delivering services to government and private sector clients. She has invested over 7 years of service promoting interactions between student and practicing engineers, through the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE). She is the first Black Female to sit on the National Council of SAIAE and is the current chairperson of its KZN Provincial Branch.

Cindy Norcott

Cindy Norcott's experience in business spans 26 years. She founded Pro Appointments and Pro Talent in March 1994. The organizations focus on the placement of temporary, contract and permanent staff in the fields of office support and administration, accounts and finance, Sales and Marketing, IT, Medical, Technical and Insurance. Their team of experienced specialist recruiters work alongside Cindy to cement the organization's core value of having a heart for people. Cindy's interests lie in the business arena. She loves to help people develop their businesses and reach their full potential. Mentoring and coaching business people who are keen on taking themselves and their businesses to the next level, and delivering motivational talks about goal setting, success, motivation and management inspire her to constantly read up on business subjects and inspirational topics. She is the author of "How to be Unstoppable and Achieve more in Business and Life". This book is aimed at motivating people in business to be more focused and disciplined in order to achieve their goals. She also drew on her 20 year business journey and filled the book with lessons that have helped her to live a fulfilled, purpose-driven life. The book was launched two years ago and to date, she has sold more than 5000 copies. Her top three lessons that she has learned are that one needs to have self-belief, a firm commitment to meaningful goals and self-discipline. She founded the Robin Hood Foundation in 2005. Through this NPO, she works with a team of committed trustees, volunteers and a full-time coordinator. Their goal is to address solutions to poverty among the poorest members of society. Through the foundation, they have projects running weekly that aim to distribute resources into the hands of the poor. Specialities - Marketing, Motivation, Management, Leadership, Public Speaking, Ideas Generation, Public Relations, Philanthropy, Recruitment, Coaching.

Dr Ade van Heerden

Best known as former Miss South Africa 2017, Ade van Heerden is also a medical doctor who had her internship at a Military Hospital in Wynberg, Cape Town. Despite the glamour, she believes that medicine is her calling and her impact on lives has been through that platform. At the Miss South Africa 2017 pageant competition, she emerged as the first princess, stepping in as Miss SA when Demi-Leigh Nel-Pieters left the position when she was crowned Miss Universe.

Dr Sphumelele Ndlovu

Dr Sphumelele Ndlovu asks a very intriguing question, does Africa need PhDs? And in his talk gives gives context by providing his personal background of how education was his only option of a better future. He then discusses how learners should be equipped with the right sets of skills, outside the academic knowledge in order for them to be able to navigate themselves successfully in life. [12/10, 16:58] Thobani Ndlovu: Dr Sphumelele Ndlovu is the Founder and Acting Managing Director at Indabuko PTY (LTD), a company that is on a mission to solve energy challenges in South Africa and Africa at large through scientific research and development. Ndlovu holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he also graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in applied Mathematics and Physics, Bachelor of Science in Physics and Master’s degree in Physics, which he finished in 11 months and managed to publish two scientific papers in international journals. Previously, Ndlovu worked at Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory under their Space Geodesy Programme where he was on a project that aimed to on measure the growing distance between the earth and moon using lasers. Prior to starting Indabuko, Ndlovu also worked as a Scientist at the South African Weather Services in their Air Quality Department. Ndlovu has earned recognition in the science and technology field. During his PhD, he was awarded the best PhD presentation by the South African Institute of Physics. In 2016, he was selected as one of the top 400 young scientists from across the world to participate in the prestigious annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, dedicated to Physics. He was also recently awarded the 2019 Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans. Besides being engaged extensively in scientific research, presenting scientific papers in national and international conferences, Ndlovu is an avid believer in self-empowerment. He has published a book called Aiming for the Stars, which aims to inspire young people to never let their current circumstances deter them from dreaming big.

Fortune Nkwanyana

Fortune Nkwanyana is a critically acclaimed author, internationally renowned speaker, corporate MC and facilitator. Mr Excellence as he is better known, has taken the country by storm, with his creative style and high-energy messages focusing on the art of excellence. His words continue to impact tens of millions of people in several countries across the world.

Londy Ngcobo

An international Ship Navigation Officer and Africa's first female Dredge Master. Londy Ngcobo has over 12 years experience in a male dominated Maritime industry, her background includes Maritime Studies, International Merchant shipping experience, advanced dredging training in the Netherlands and her current role as a Maritime Complience Manager all which has led to her well know title The Blaqmermaid

Ndoni Mcunu

Ndoni Mcunu founder and CEO of BWIS holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Geography as well as a Master’s Degree in Science (MSc) in Applied Environmental Science. She is currently pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) at the Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute at Witwatersrand University under the supervision of Professor Bob Scholes. Her research focuses on climate change and its effects on biodiversity conservation and agricultural production for farmers. She was selected as the 200 Mail and Guardian Young South Africans, under the education sector 2016. She is a Mandela Washington Fellow 2017, selected for her contribution in Civic Leadership development in Africa for her work in BWIS. Miss Mcunu was selected from a pool of 6700 Africans, 1 of 62 in South Africa. She is also a GreenMatter Fellow for her academic research in climate change and agriculture. She has also been listed as the Inspiring Fifty Women in Technology in South Africa, which was issued by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Her passion and zeal is poverty alleviation through mechanisms such as sustainable food security, agriculture and education. Her core belief is that any form of education changes one’s perspective, way of thinking and empowers them to better their condition, therefore through her skills and knowledge she aims to give back to younger women and change their mind set.

Nhlanhla Khambule

Nhlanhla Khambule is the CEO of Edinvest which owns 4 Artisan Colleges and Canaan College, a private School at UMlazi, a township on the outskirts of Durban. He also owns Nest Pre-Primary which is a quality township pre-school that is a feeder to top private and government schools. Nhlanhla serves on the board of Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) and previously served in the boards of Ithala and KZN Growth Fund. He was previously involved in listing a business on the JSE. Nhlanhla holds a Masters in Development Finance from Stellenbosch University among his qualifications and is well versed with corporate governance, strategy development and development finance aspects of business.

Nozipho Mbanjwa

Nozipho Mbanjwa is a Conversation Strategist moderating global conversations that are designed to have measurable outcomes. She is in demand for her unique and insightful ability to facilitate difficult conversations with courage, depth and breadth. As an internationally acclaimed conference moderator and Human Capital Advocate for The World Bank and Global Citizen, she has successfully moderated conversations for global and African institutions including, leading listed and unlisted multinational corporations, business schools, and civil society organisations that seek to leverage conversations for change. Nozipho is also an award-winning financial markets broadcaster lifting the African business story through the lens of leadership, performance, the political economy, development finance, gender mainstreaming, and youth development. Nozipho is an executive director at LRMG, supporting the LRMG transformation journey, a faculty member for Duke Corporate Education in Africa, a fellow of the Gordon Institute for Business Science’s Centre for African Management and Markets (CAMM), a Tutu fellow, and in 2019 was named one of 2019 100 Most Influential Young Africans. She is an alumni of the following academic institutions: • Said Business School, Oxford (Tutu Fellow) • University of London (Masters in International Studies) • Stellenbosch Business School (|Masters in Development Finance – cum laude), • University of Pretoria (Hons: International Relations)

Scotty Wang

A well seasoned Human-Forward African Millennial Creative Problem Solver who believes in restoring dreams where hope is lost through writing, teaching and facilitating conversations. Best known as the Author of Finding Makoti and his vested interest in human behaviour, Scotty Wang also engages in authentic conversations and often shares insights about Relationships, Manhood, Social Ills, Spirituality and Career Development. He is a conversationalist/facilitator and an insights speaker whose core focus is on Self Awareness, Mastery, Authenticity, Design Thinking, Growth Hacking, Tech, Employability, The world of Work and The Future of Work for African Millennials.

Wendy Mahoney

Wendy Mahoney corporate positions include; Executive Director European Times, Director Sales and Marketing CNBC and Forbes Africa, General Manager Sales Trudon South Africa and Director Trudon Namibia. Wendy now heads Newmella Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a Global Business Innovation Consultancy focused on growing the profit of companies by enabling and inspiring them to innovate at a faster rate. In the Exponential Age things are only going to get exponentially faster – the time to change is now. When a company or individual understands their value is not their product or service that is when they become unstoppable in this new age.