Theme: Emerge: Nurturing Ideas, Growing Futures

Join us for TEDxStellenboschED, a dynamic and inspiring event dedicated to exploring the future of education. Featuring thought-provoking talks from experts, educators, and innovators, TEDxStellenboschED will delve into topics such as digital enablement, inclusive pedagogies, and emerging trends in learning. Engage with passionate speakers as they share their insights, experiences, and visions for transforming education. Be part of this enlightening journey, where ideas converge to ignite change and shape the educational landscape. Don't miss out on TEDxStellenboschED—an event that sparks curiosity, inspires action, and celebrates the power of education to create a brighter future for all.

Stellenbosch University Museum
52 Ryneveld Street
Stellenbosch Central
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7600
South Africa

Brittney Jephta

Classical Singer

Brittney Danielle Jeptha is a final-year law student at Stellenbosch University and a member of the Stellenbosch Art Law Clinic, where she assists artists with the law and how to protect their art. She is professionally trained in Classical singing and opera and is a graduate of the New York Film Academy, where she studied Musical Theatre in 2020. She was a part of the South African Youth Choir for four consecutive years and was the choir leader at Fairbairn College in 2018. In 2018, Brittney was scouted by Kim Myers to attend the ARTS Convention in Orlando, Florida, USA, where she was awarded first place for Broadway/Classical singing and received a scholarship to study at the New York Film Academy. Brittney has participated in the Stellenbosch Acapella competition, where she won best female soloist. Brittney is working on material that focuses on fusing socio-political and conscious lyrics with more pop, rnb and African sounds.

Ella Gardiner

Graduate Mechatronics Engineer

Ella is a graduate engineer from Stellenbosch University, holding a BEng in Mechatronic Engineering. She enjoys exploring the outdoors and socializing with friends, as well as fostering her creative side through art projects and sewing new clothing items for her wardrobe. An advocate for green engineering, Ella is passionate about research and design. She aspires to further explore the creative side of engineering and hopes to pursue a career that merges engineering and creativity to make a meaningful impact. Additionally, she is interested in finding innovative ways to make STEM careers more accessible in South Africa, with a particular focus on encouraging more girls from a young age to own their space in these fields.

Ilanie B

Dancer

Meet Ilanie Boonzaaier, a vibrant BA Humanities student at Stellenbosch University. When she's not immersed in academics, Ilanie expresses herself creatively through dance, art, and writing. She believes in the power of vulnerability and embraces the motto 'feel to heal.' Ilanie knows that growth often lies on the other side of challenges, and she's not afraid to walk through the fire to emerge stronger and wiser. With a heart full of passion and a mind full of wonder, Ilanie is a true creative spirit.

Jana Du Plooy

CEO of Apex Education

Jana is the Founding CEO of Apex Education, an organisation that aims to make high-quality education accessible to children from low-income communities. Apex Education exists to challenge the relationship between quality education and cost, specifically by reimagining the century-old (unchanged) design of the classroom, redefining the critical role of the teacher and deploying technology to enhance children’s learning experiences. Jana has spent more than a decade working in the social sector, in various industries, organisations, and roles. She holds LLB (law) and MBA (cum laude) degrees from the University of Stellenbosch and is an HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech 2024 Fellow. As a hopeless disruptor, driven by an insatiably curious nature, she finds the opportunity to work on humanity’s biggest challenges highly rewarding, humbling and deeply meaningful.

Jane Rossouw

Gender and sexuality educator and researcher

Jane Rossouw is a devoted contributor to the field of gender and sexuality education, committed to advancing knowledge and promoting inclusion around these often taboo and controversial topics. As a lecturer training future psychologists, she exposes students to the varied experiences of gender and sexuality they may encounter in practice. Through her pedagogy, Jane aims to enhance informed, positive attitudes. Her academic research amplifies the voices and realities of South African children, adolescents, and young adults by delving into comprehensive sexuality education and LGBTQ+ issues. By unpacking power dynamics and stigmas, her critical lens exposes the "illusion of social transformation," With journal articles in the process of publication and research presented internationally, Jane leads crucial dialogues surrounding gender and sexuality education, drawing on her multidisciplinary expertise spanning sociology, diversity studies, and educational psychology.

Jean Greyling

Associate Professor in Computing Sciences

Prof Greyling is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha. He is mainly involved in teaching and research related to programming at the undergrad and postgrad levels. His main passion is making learners aware of the great career opportunities in computing. Since 2017, he has been coordinating the Tangible Africa coding project (mainly with the RANGERS and BOATS coding apps), introducing learners to coding without the use of computers. The project has reached over 100 000 learners across South Africa, training around 30 000 teachers in tangible and unplugged coding. It has also expanded to around 25 countries, with teachers being trained in 7 African countries as well as Ireland, Germany and Indonesia. In April 2022, he received the Distinguished Service in ICT Award from the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa. The project has received various other local, national and global accolades.

Johnathan Jansen

Distinguished Professor of Education + Author

Professor Jonathan Jansen is a Distinguished Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University and the immediate past President of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He started his career as a high school Biology teacher in the Cape and holds a PhD from Stanford as well as honorary doctorates from four universities, including the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of the award-winning book, Knowledge in the Blood (Stanford University Press) and his recent books include Corrupted a study of chronic dysfunction in South African universities (2023, Wits University Press), and The decolonization of knowledge (2022, Cambridge University Press). He was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and will be the Chin Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard University in 2024.

Judy-Ann Cilliers

Political Philosopher

Judy-Ann Cilliers is a political philosopher and the Communications Manager for MathMoms, a Cape Town-based NPO that builds confident communities one maths-empowered child at a time. Her academic background examined xenophobia to understand how identity and belonging can contribute to violence and prejudice, and contrast that with how nurturing belonging can grow resilience and work against prejudice and violence. This background informs her work at MathMoms, which creates structures of belonging in vulnerable communities and around at-risk youth to build resilience. MathMoms employs and up-skills previously unemployed individuals to become mathematics tutors to foundation phase learners in their communities, thereby building healthy intergenerational relationships and creating opportunities for children and adults alike. She identifies as a reader and student of literature. The most important lesson stories teach us is that without the imagination, there can be no justice.

Nicci Glanville

Educator and Neurosequential Model in Education Trainer

Nicci Glanville brings over 25 years of experience in education and a deep commitment to transforming young lives through her work. As a mother of four children, she understands the profound impact of early childhood experiences on future success. Currently a doctoral candidate, Nicci's research focuses on the early intervention by teachers to reduce the effects of adverse childhood experiences. Her passion lies in creating a generation of children who are not only able to learn but to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Nicci believes in the power of education to heal and nurture, and she is dedicated to creating spaces where individuals can learn and grow from their experiences, emerging with “post-traumatic wisdom”.

Roy Williams

Designer, Researcher and Manager

Roy Williams is a practical theorist, media analyst, researcher, designer, gardener, and grandfather. His current projects include: developing a digital platform for exploring Shakespeare’s plays funded by a grant from the UK Arts Council, writing a family history focused on Colesberg titled “Die Towerberg se Dans,” and exploring ancestral restoration and the potential use of AI in a U-Lab project in the US. Roy has held senior academic and management positions in South Africa and the UK, including leading international development projects in several countries, some in collaboration with his late wife, Charl Walters. His executive roles have included CEO positions at the South African Broadcast Authority and the Sached Trust. Before retiring, Roy was a senior lecturer and researcher in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Portsmouth and across the university. He is now an Honorary Researcher at the Business School and is a proud graduate of Stellenbosch University.

Stellenbosch United Brothers

Music Group

Stellenbosch United Brothers was formed 11 years ago by our lead Sipho Nothanga and four members. In 2023 they were SATMA AWARDS NOMINEES originally based in the small township of Kayamandi in Stellenbosch.

Thabani Mtsi

Communication Coach

Thabani Mtsi is a communication coach committed to teaching people how to speak with clarity and confidence. With 15+ years of public speaking experience and 9+ years of facilitation and training experience; he is committed to equipping people with the skills they need to show up as their most authentic selves. He does this by delivering workshops and masterclasses at organisations where he gives people practical tools and frameworks to listen, find their voices, connect and speak with confidence. A Mandela Rhodes alumnus with a master’s in civil engineering (CumLaude). Thabani has experience working as a design thinking coach and a business analyst (specialising in the finance, insurance, and telecommunications sectors). When asked about his golden thread, his response is: "I use my skills to solve tangible problems for organisations and, more importantly, the people in them".

Thembalethu Seyisi

Author and Ambassador for Social Justice

Thembalethu Seyisi is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a Research Officer at the Centre for Social Justice, Stellenbosch University. He has a history of leadership, serving a Board Member at Salesian Life Choices and in 2020, he co-founded the Black Lawyers Association Stellenbosch University Student Chapter and currently coordinates the #Action4Inclusion campaign to alleviate student debt. Thembalethu's contributions to social justice are reflected in his parliamentary submissions, opinion articles, and his self-published book "21 Life Lessons @ 21," featuring insights from prominent figures. He has received numerous accolades, including the Stellenbosch University Rector's Award for excellence in social impact (2021), News24's 30 Young Mandelas (2022), and being listed in the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans (2023). Thembalethu Seyisi is a dedicated advocate for social justice and leadership, inspiring a more equitable and just South Africa.

Wayde Groep

Knowledge Management and Communications Lead

Wayde Groep is the Knowledge and Communications Manager for YearBeyond. In this role, he is responsible for reviewing, synthesizing, and producing knowledge resources to strengthen the brand and impact of YearBeyond and its partners. He also manages the Social Innovation Leadership Curriculum, equipping YeBoneers (youth on the programme) with problem-solving, design thinking, and social innovation skills and challenging them to work collaboratively to solve a wicked societal problem. He is a creative storyteller who believes in the importance of amplifying the youth voice, a skilled curriculum designer and facilitator with a strong background in community development. His unwavering dedication to addressing the challenges entrenched within South Africa's education and youth development sectors underscores his professional ethos and values of responsiveness and innovation.