TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.
Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.
Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”
The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.
Details of the event:
Date: Saturday 1 August 2015
Time: 08:00- 18:00
Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus
The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).
The reason behind the #AskWhy theme
"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”
The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.
Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.
Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)
TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.
In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.
TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.
On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.
This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.
Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)
LINKS:
Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022
Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499
TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276
Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612
Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/
Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/
Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959
Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen
Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/
Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789
Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892
Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people
Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302
PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d
Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz