In the past, you may have heard of TedX talks, where inspirational figures from all around the world share their stories to inspire, encourage and impact listeners in a positive way.
Founded in 1984, the Technology, Entertainment and Design forum (Ted) first started as a conference, but eventually became a broader concept which addresses various issues. Now the event is coming to the University of Namibia (Unam).
TedX Unam will be a series of talks meant to ‘bring people together and create a neutral platform where average members of the society can rub minds with others that have gone ahead in their fields’. Each 18 minute talk (or less) will enable listeners to open the minds of the audiences and transform ideas into action, one idea at a time.
Under the theme ‘changing your view’, the TedX Unam team believes that a change of mind inspires creative thinking, which in turn inspires ideas and later initiates a change. Haven’t seen any TedX talks before? There are a number of videos on YouTube with various speakers from different backgrounds who have their stories to share about topics meant to blow your mind.
The took a look at the profiles of seven of the speakers:
Masiyalet Mbewe also known to friends is a young sci-fi writer, freelance fashion columist and YouTube vlogger. She has an interesting blog which features various fashion photographs from an African point of view and embraces the natural look.
Stacey Susa is well-versed in the art of law. Currently an administrative law lecture at the University of Namibia on part time, Susa graduated at the North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Having quite a lot of experience in the field, this speaker’s TedX speech is certainly going to be one to look forward to.
Herald Schütt is an energy expert and independent consultant who is quite well-known for his views and opinions of renewable energy. Usually when the topic of energy and power in Namibia comes up, Schütt is ready and willing to offer advice to the powers that be. For 12 years, Schütt has been the managing director at Amusha Consultancy Services and has vast experience in the field of energy and such. Perhaps we might see a couple of tips on how to save energy and how to implement them during the TedX talks. We can only wait and see!
Theo-Ben Kandetu is a sixth-year medical student who is currently completing his internships between the Katutura and Central State Hospital in Windhoek. As a senior student his ideas on campus are seen to be not only thought-provoking but inspirational too.
He is the only speaker globally to have been invited to the television show ‘Dragon’s Den’ as an investor. This is because he has built several businesses, including a N$400 million division which was the most profitable business in a large multinational. Today, as the chariman of Watermakr Afrika Fund, he is spearheading a pan-African process of raising the largest growth fund for high-growth and high-potential entrepreneurs in Africa. Vusi is also amongst the youngest directors of a listed company in South Africa and influences over N$4 billion in capital. His real strength is that he knows how organisations can make the “step-change” results they seek and how they can outpace their competition. “We have helped our investor companies grow by 10 times on average over a six-year period. If you’re looking for a radical shift in results and attitudes, I am the guy you call. My areas of expertise are sales, strategy and leadership.”
Micael is a currently an engineering student at the Polytechnic of Namibia. Earlier last year, he flew the Namibian flag high when he participated in two regional level competitions including the Boeing IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) National Aeromodelling Competition along with his two teammates. Known for his intelligence and top-level performance, Michael is all about grabbing opportunities and encouraging the youth to take Mathematics and Science subjects more seriously.
Paulus Nkandi is the founder and owner of The Kinetic Group of Companies, which he established primarily to facilitate brilliant, young minds to master their learnt trades in the real world environment.
He is a career bush-pilot turned airline pilot and he exercises his trade with Air Namibia. He spends his off season doing motivational talks at underprivileged high schools and mentors student pilots at the Eros domestic airport.
The Tedx Unam will take place at the Unam School of Medicine in Windhoek on 15 August. Tickets are now available at Digital Lifestyle in Wernhill Park (on the first floor, across from MTC Mobile Home). For students, tickets cost N$150 and N$500 for the public. You can follow the progress @TedUofNamibia on Twitter or visit the website at www.tedxuniversityofnamibia.com.
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