Watch a playlist of TEDxSoweto 2014 talks. More to come.



South African society is going through testing times. Our population is getting younger and more unpredictable; our political environment is in a state of entropy; more and more, our economic fortunes are determined by forces beyond our control. While we want to acknowledge these dark clouds, we can’t ignore the very real promise of a brighter tomorrow. The digital revolution will continue to empower our youth in ways we can’t imagine. Big data will make our democracy less opaque. New technologies will shift the means of production into the hands of ordinary people. Change begets new ideas. The future, here we come.

TEDxSoweto took place on Saturday, November 22 at the Soweto Theatre under the theme ‘Silver Linings’. We drew our lineup from the spectrum of disciplines—activists, designers, artists, technologists, storytellers, magicians, and logicians. They debunked the myths, recharged our conscience, excited our senses, and lifted us up to higher levels.

Happy holidays


Here’s how the programme panned out:



09:00 – 10:00 | REGISTRATION



10:00 – 11:30 | S1 | PREDICTABLE SURPRISES

TED Talk
Pierre du Plessis – Flaneur, Trend Analyst

Mothusi Lukhele – Maven, Entrepreneur, Farmer

Victor Kgomoeswana – Africa Business Specialist

A Huge Impact – Hip Hop Outfit

Maketse Hosea Malope - CEO of South African gambling guide zonkems.co.za



11:30 – 12:00 | CONVERSATION BREAK



12:00 – 13:30 | S2 | ABUNDANT SCARCITY

TED Talk
Gustav Praekelt – Technologist
Mandy Pakkiri – Girl Education Champion
Judy Hofmeyr – Ebola Care Project Lead
Thorsten Deckler – Architect



13:30 – 14:30 | CONVERSATION BREAK



14:30 – 16:00 | S3 | TEMPORARY ETERNITY

TED Talk
Sisonke Msimang – Writer, Activist, Opinionista
Litha Soyizwapi – App Developer
Amo Ngoepe – Young Traveler
Muzi Kuzwayo – Author, Marketer, Adman
Sibusile Xaba – Musician



16:00 – 18:00 | DRINKS & CONVERSATION



See the full programme with brief speaker bios here.