Theme: Brain Health Matters

Fostering inclusivity and innovation in brain health.

Imagine a world where brain health is universally accessible and locally relevant, driven by collaborative efforts across diverse communities. Picture a future where experts from various fields and knowledge systems join forces to create innovative solutions for mental well-being. This inclusive approach could foster better outcomes while respecting individual dignity.

Amplifying stories of people with a lived experience of illnesses such as dementia or epilepsy, and engaging communities on their health and research priorities, holds the potential to promote brain health equitably. Designing strategies that include indigenous practices, the arts, and other activities that nurture health alongside illness-specific management, could revolutionise health systems.

These thought-provoking discussions will unfold at TEDxJohannesburgSalon: Brain Health Matters, supported by the Atlantic Fellows Programs. Join us on Thursday 12 October, from 3 pm to 8 pm, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg. Expect insights from diverse local and international professionals spanning clinical practice, social sciences, traditional wisdom, arts, economics, public health, research, policy, and education. Your presence will enrich this transformative conversation.

Nelson Mandela Foundation
107 Central Street
Houghton
Sandton, Gauteng, 2196
South Africa

Akshita Siddula

Community Organiser

Akshita Siddula is a community organiser and public health professional based in Baltimore, USA. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of The 6th Branch, a nonprofit organisation that transforms vacant lots into productive green spaces such as parks, playgrounds, and urban farms. She holds an MS in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and a BS and BA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a Global Atlantic Fellow.

Amadi Ihunwo

Neuroscientist

Amadi O. Ihunwo is a professor of anatomy, a neuroscientist, and head of the School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the immediate past secretary-general of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), affiliated with the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), and chairs the SONA Governing Council. He is a councillor on the Council of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and founder of the Brain Awareness Initiative (BWI) foundation.

Digby Ormond-Brown

Neorupsychologist

Digby Ormond-Brown specialises in mind-brain relationships. Based at Netcare Rehab in Johannesburg, he diagnoses and treats adults and children, focusing on dementia and neurological disorders. Ormond-Brown collaborates on concussion management, serves as a trusted High Court expert witness, conducts insurance evaluations, assesses flight crew fitness, and aids in neurotoxin-related occupational health assessments. His extensive knowledge in brain-related conditions, including hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury, guides his rehabilitation services.

Ganzamungu Zihindula

Public Health Researcher

Ganzamungu Zihindula is a research fellow at Trinity College Dublin. He holds a PhD in public health and is co-founder of South Africa Refugee-Led Network. His work focuses on healthcare access for refugees, leading to initiatives like Urban Refugee and Asylum Seekers Assistance. Dr. Zihindula is passionate about health equity, particularly for socially excluded populations. His expertise spans health promotion, human resources for health, and prevention strategies for Non-Communicable Diseases.

Hany Ibrahim

Gereatrician

Hany Ibrahim, MD, is an assistant professor and geriatric medicine consultant at Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo. A senior Atlantic Fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco and Trinity College Dublin, he co-founded the Ain Shams Cognitive Training Lab and the East Mediterranean Brain Health Initiative. He's a board member of the Mental Health Research Network in Egypt. Hany's work focuses on advancing geriatric healthcare and global brain health.

Kirti Ranchod

Neorologist Brain Health Consultant

Kirti Ranchod is a neurologist from South Africa, Global Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, co-founder African Brain Health Network and has served on the board of Alzheimer's South Africa. She founded Memorability to make brain health tools accessible, practical and effective including courses and masterclasses. Her interests include the role of traditional practices in promoting health and the neuroscience of art. Her art was included in an online art exhibition, REVERB, hosted by Latitudes.

Siphelele Veti

Siphelele Sisonke Veti, who goes by the name Usisonke, is a 25-year-old artist. They have their roots in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, but now call Johannesburg home. Usisonke's artistic talents encompass various forms, with a primary focus on visual art and writing. As a poet, their voice has undergone a transformation and fusion, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, beliefs, and cultural heritage. In their creative works, Usisonke skillfully weaves narratives infused with naturalism, esoteric themes, and romanticism.

Sylvia Vollenhoven

Journalist Filmmaker Writer

Sylvia Vollenhoven, the first-ever Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg, is a versatile professional excelling in journalism, playwriting, and filmmaking. Her work includes award-winning documentaries and internationally acclaimed plays. She's also known for her contributions to exploring Khoisan identity. Alongside her creative pursuits, Sylvia is committed to education, often giving guest lectures and chairing the Alan Paton Literary Award Jury, showcasing her dedication to both the arts and academia.