By Phesheya Mkhonta
This year Eswatini will join the global network of cities and countries that have hosted the world-renowned TED Talks through an event called TEDxGwamileStreet.
TED is an International non-profit organization that is devoted to the idea of spreading ideas. The TED organization began in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment, and design converged. TED has become known for its short, powerful talks, which are typically 18 minutes or less.
The TED Talks YouTube channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives within the allocated time.
The Eswatini version of TEDx has been dubbed ‘TEDxGwamileStreet’ and will be hosted on Saturday 24th June 2023. This was revealed by the event’s organizers during a press conference held at Endibanweni at Mbabane Library.
TEDxGwamileStreet is hosted by a group of local volunteers (made of social and serial entrepreneurs, content creators and curators, and arts practitioners to name a few in the collective), operating under the auspices of a non-profit organization, who have been granted a TEDx license by the events rights owners in Canada.
“The theme for our TEDx event is ‘Imagine, Inspire, Awaken.’ We want to celebrate the innovative and inspiring ideas that are taking place in our country, while also providing a platform for new ideas to emerge that can make a positive impact in our communities’’ explained one of the event’s organizers Kudzai Mushambi.
Mushambi reveals that the event will feature an incredible lineup of speakers who will share their ideas and experiences on a range of topics, including, technology, entrepreneurship, health, education, the arts, and more.
‘’Our speakers will also include experts in their respective fields, who are passionate about sharing their ideas and insights with their community. They are individuals who have achieved great things and have overcome challenges to make a positive impact in not only their own lives but the lives of others as well.’’
The organizers noted that the full list of speakers will be revealed in due course, following an overwhelming response from potential speakers and presenters.
On the global stage, some of the prominent speakers who have presented at TED include the likes of SpaceX innovator Elon Musk, renowned anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall, Google co-founder and business magnate Larry Page, celebrated South African speaker and venture capitalist Vusi Thembekwayo.
The local team further revealed that as part of the build-up to the main event in June, they will be hosting a TEDxGwamileStreet Adventure which will take place on the 25th of Mach 2023. TEDx Adventures are unique and intimate events designed to offer participants unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to the people and places making respective communities dynamic.
The goal of every Adventure is for participants to meet and interact with the minds behind the future of technology, business, healthcare, and entertainment, to name a few.
“We have an exciting range of activities planned for the day, which will kick off with a parade along Gwamile Street in Mbabane. The parade will be a celebration of our local community’s diversity and creativity. Once we arrive at the venue, we will have a TED Talk watch party where attendees can watch some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking talks from TED’s vast library,’’ he concluded.
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are still available for both brands and individuals. For more information, contact the sponsorship team at tedxgwamilestreet@gmail.com.
5 thoughts on “Eswatini To Host Its First Ever TEDx Talk”
Comments are closed.