TEDx TableMountain

2015

What is TEDx?

TED is a non-profit company dedicated to spreading innovative ideas, designs and philosophies, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design come together, but today it covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues.

The TEDx programme is designed to help communities, organisations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences. All TEDx events are aimed to spark deep conversation and connections at the local level. These local, self-organised events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organised TED event.

TEDx event types:

Every TEDx event falls under a different category even though all events follow a very similar format, some different content, rules and audiences apply to each type of event. Find out more.

TEDx TableMountain

The 2015 TEDx TableMountain event was held at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town on 25 May, which is also Africa Day. This year’s theme, “Journeys of Excellence”, aimed to showcase how dedicated, passionate and bright Africans work to solve our continent’s problems.

The event showcased excellence and innovation in African research and practice from a range of areas that are important to the social and economic development of the continent. The areas that were covered include health, education, science, and information and communication technologies.

While TEDx events are not limited by nationality or any other demographic, the aims of this event are to create a platform for the incredible diversity of African voices in the Western Cape. TEDx TableMountain thus creates an international platform for the dissemination of innovative ideas to showcase great concepts and cutting edge research and practice from a variety of areas that are important to the social and economic development of our Continent.

The Western Cape’s celebration of Africa Day 2015, under the theme “African Journeys of Excellence” was an attempt at a Provincial level to encourage engagement and collaboration by African experts at a people-to-people and institution to institution level. We are particularly encouraged and continue to support trade and investment relations between the Western Cape and other regions within the continent”, said Premier Helen Zille.

TEDx TableMountain videos

Watch this year’s talks and be inspired by our speakers and their passion for our beautiful province, country and continent.

1. Llewellyn Padayachy: How I use sound to see the brain