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).

Waterford Kamhlaba
Kamhlaba Road
Mbabane, Hhohho, P.O.Box 52
Swaziland

Deborah Bogale

Student

Deborah Bogale, a strong Pan-Africanist, appreciates how Africans have BEEN transcending the narrative. As an Ethiopian who was raised to believe that her country was never colonized, this narrative made her negligent towards other nations. Around 9, she left her country to live in a francophone nation, Burkina Faso. In those 5 formative years, she came to appreciate the successes and victories of other African leaders such as the Burkinabé martyr, Thomas Sankara. By talking about the multiple moments in Africa where she has seen brave people like Thomas Sankara, Ibrahim Traoré, and Minilik II transcending narratives, she will be able to publicly acknowledge the reclamation of justice already in motion on the African continent. As much as there is work to do for optimal growth, she believes the journey has started, and many have embarked on it. It is time to rise and celebrate how they have transcended and surpassed limiting narratives.

Isaiah Mwesiga

Student

Isaiah Mwesiga is an IB student who has observed the power of narratives in the way they can perpetuate trauma from generation to generation. His Talk - 'Breaking the Cycle of Inherited Trauma' seeks to shed light on the channels through which this cycle permeates. These include genetics, behaviours, and shared experiences, etc. In exploring this, he dives into how narratives can keep trauma alive and create a stigma or stereotype around certain groups of people. These could be narratives painting certain ethnicities or groups with one brush, or internalised societal structures that have been normalized. By taking a step further into what brought about the creation of such narratives and how individuals can heal and break them, Isaiah seeks to give his audience a heads up on what can be done to end the trauma and not leave it for future generations to inherit.

Khue Hoang

Student

Just like any other foreign English learners, Khue started watching TED Talks as a way of learning English. In the process, she admired the confidence and experiences that shone through the speakers' words. In her talk, she touches on the power of gossip, including how it started, the psychology behind it, why people feel the need to do it, and the ups and downs of gossiping. Through her tapestry of observations, one thing has remained constant: the gossip culture. From workplace dynamics, school places gossip has taken hold of all spaces. Ultimately, she sees gossip to have its benefits and pitfalls; however, she seeks to acknowledge the power of it in bringing people together, simultaneously suggesting a better way of conducting the 'gossip,' transcending the negative perceptions of gossip.

Lucía Mejía Cárdenas

Student

Lucia's experience living in East Harlem and The Bronx is an experience that goes against the typical narrative of these neighborhoods. It doesn’t entail the dramatic violence and struggle that many folks imagine when they think of these places. Her existence in and attachment to these spaces transcends their prominent single stories. She is not just an outsider, but also not a native. Lucia is not the same as the White American gentrifiers, but not entirely separate either. As much as people like her try, it cannot be put into one single box. Her story is a blend of many clichés that are typically seen as separate and distinct. It is in this way that she seeks to transcend narratives surrounding her story.

Raphael Shaheen

Student

Raphael, a current IB2 student at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA, grew fond of TED during his middle school English class. Upon listening to "The Power of Yet" by Carol Dweck, his appreciation of spreading ideas grew as he witnessed the manifestation of the same power of yet in his own life. In his TED Talk, he aims to shed light on 'Toxic Masculinity,' transcending the surrounding narratives on the topic. The talk will revolve around the dangers of and solutions to Toxic Masculinity. In his sight, this is a topic of paramount importance since he has experienced the negative effects of toxic masculinity and has seen how it affects many people in society. Firstly, he shows how narratives around gender can be dangerous for people, specifically the dangers of toxic masculinity for men, then shows people that they can change societal beliefs around masculinity and be part of the solution by discussing his own experiences.

Wesley Tapera

Student

Wesley Tapera is a proud Shona Zimbabwean who grew up in Masvingo. His patriotism fuels his desire to explore colonial amnesia, specifically how the remnants of colonialism shape Zimbabwean identity today in ways people often overlook. In his observations, one striking example is how common it is for Zimbabweans to have English or Arabic names, while the reverse is almost nonexistent. This silent acceptance reflects a deeper pattern of valuing foreign identities over his own people's. In his Talk, Wesley will challenge how these subtle forms of colonial legacy persist, not just in policies or economics, but in the most personal parts of who Zimbabweans are—and how recognizing them is the first step towards reclaiming his nation's narratives.