TEDxPretoria

Maria Carpenter knows how to embrace chaos and turn it into a catalyst for success. In this insightful talk, she reveals unconventional strategies for transforming team dynamics – from toxicity to productivity. As a leader in technology, Carpenter shares her personal journey of navigating tragedy to achieve purpose and joy, and shows how corporate teams can win with the same approach.

Carpenter has dedicated her talk to her greatest inspiration at work, her late father, Philippos Pouroullis. Maria is passionate about changing the world’s perspective on work. Her intent is to create a model where work is a space for collaboration, celebration, significance and fulfilment. Maria is a South African born Cypriot and has had a diverse career spanning software development, management consulting, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship. Through her 20 years in technology, and the need to overcome trauma in her 30’s Maria developed a framework for transformation. The framework uses systems thinking, philosophy, quantum mechanics, and epigenetics to turn chaos into flow.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgJc40Fw7xg

"Have you ever wondered what a gift given for excellence would look like?", asks South African author and poet Wandisile Accolade M***a, as he poetically takes us through a heart-reaching journey exploring his experience with the blessing in disguise under the trauma dealt by life's hand of being orphaned at a young age and the power one has to emerge and "create themselves in their own image," and as exemplified by his presence on the TEDxPretoria stage, become great! Wandisile Accolade M***a is a South African Author, Poet, Academic and Creative Entrepreneur. A commissioned Poet and spoken word artist, M***a is reputable for his evocative, sensational, spiritual and inspirational performance and written works, coupled with perspicacious professionalism that has seen a successful career that includes publication of two books among other wonderful literary works. The amalgamation of his specialisations have seen him stretch his footprint to a global audience through strategic partnerships and memberships with international and national NPO's and corporate organisations.

Catch all the inspiring TEDxPretoria talks on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel—subscribe now to stay updated!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5ecLGRA_T8

Behavioural Specialist Brad Shorkend understands stress intimately, it almost killed him! He tells the story of how this happened, how he fought his way back to health and, most importantly, how the lessons he learned and the methods that he applied can help millions of other people to get out of their own stress doom loop. Brad Shorkend is a Behavioural Specialist and performance coach obsessed with helping businesses, leaders, and everyone who wakes up in the morning to go to work to be better at the complicated job of being human. Since 2005 he has worked with thousands of people around the world on how to ‘better human’ at work, and in turn how to build and lead organisations that are awesome places for people to work at, to innovate meaningfully, and to deliver sustainable success in a world that has gone digital crazy. Brad’s global client list reads like a who’s who of businesses, and he is a relentless entrepreneur having founded and successfully (mostly) led over 20 businesses across numerous industry sectors… architecture, telecommunications, fashion, start-up acceleration, music retail, beauty, technology, consulting, FMCG, to name just a few.

He is faculty at numerous global business schools and is a published author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZgweFF2lFY

Author Bruce Whitfield has been studying company founders and what makes them tick for more than 20 years. He has defined one thing that makes those that thrive stand out from the rest. In an increasingly polarised world it's easy to become overwhelmed with the barrage of information that is thrust at us daily. Here is how to focus in a world bent on stealing your attention away from what really matters. Bruce Whitfield is a multi-award-winning journalist, best-selling author and sought-after speaker.
Throughout his career, he has had unparalleled access to titans of industry; mavericks who are
changing the game; and brilliant entrepreneurs who reimagine what is possible. This access has
provided him with an exceptional perspective of how we can change the future. Today.
With over 20 years of working in print, broadcast and digital media, he brings a unique brand of
realistic optimism to the murky intersection where business, politics and society collide.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_rOfp0UktE

Investors and startups are looking for the next unicorn or wanting to be the next unicorn. Ntsiki highlights the "Kasi" (township/ per-urban) ecosystem in South Africa and how the pervasive challenges facing entrepreneurs in those communities might just be the very opportunity and training ground for the next big thing. She challenges the current Angel and VC approach to funding and highlights the support needed to facilitate the growth and impact of township based startups. Kasi Gold is a reminder that we often have what we need before us and cultivating it and the right partnerships can have benefits for everyone. Ntsiki Mkhize holds a Masters in Social Innovation, is an international speaker, author, personal development coach and business advisor. She has a passion to inspire, connect and empower women and youth in Africa to improve their lives and uplift their communities through entrepreneurship.

Ntsiki is also a garlic farmer and bee keeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh53b1tuuZM

James Maisiri believes that artificial intelligence is positioned to revolutionize education, propelling it to unprecedented heights of achievement and innovation. Drawing upon a personal narrative about his upbringing and how his brother transformed him from a 14% average student to a Ph.D. candidate, he shares insights on opportunities he sees for teachers and students to collaborate with AI tools. James Maisiri is a Ph.D. candidate spearheading groundbreaking research on the influence of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on the labour market. He has been the recipient of numerous prestigious academic awards and scholarships from 2016 up to the present day. His affiliations with prominent research organisations have enabled him to push the boundaries of knowledge forward. His ideas have been featured in national newspapers, while his presentations at research conferences continue to shape the discourse. Beyond academia, he is an author and content creator.

Catch all the inspiring TEDxPretoria talks on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel—subscribe now to stay updated!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS7fawugXu8

In this talk, "Embracing Chaos: The Creative Power of the Blank Canvas," artist Nathan Vuuren delves into the emotional turbulence of starting a creative journey. With personal anecdotes and insightful wisdom, Vuuren guides viewers through the process of confronting self-doubt, navigating uncertainty, and unlocking their full creative potential.

Join him on this transformative exploration of embracing chaos and finding brilliance in the unexpected. Nathan Jansen van Vuuren is a Johannesburg based artist who obtained his MA in 2010. He has been widely exhibited in South Africa. His work draws upon a multitude of visual references; imagery drawn from art history, newspapers, magazines, social media, popular culture, television shows and movies.

Catch all the inspiring TEDxPretoria talks on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel—subscribe now to stay updated!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uxMO1urmZs&t=2s

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Special mention to the incredible Alfi Oloo, a past TEDxPretoria speaker who stepped in behind the scenes last year as a dedicated volunteer. Alfi contributed his time and skills to work with our some of our 2023 event speakers, enriching their presentations and adding that extra touch of brilliance. We love it when our community grows and deepens.

Grateful for the ThinkLink their sponsorship towards our 2023 event, thanks to their contribution we now have a stunning, new iconic TEDxPretoria sign that will add a touch of brilliance to every event to come !

Looking back a Beautiful Chaos 2023, we'd like to thank one of our event sponsors, Strider, who came on board this year as an event contributor and brought an interactive giveaway experience to the day for our attendees. We've enjoyed getting to know their team and understanding their approach to helping businesses navigate chaos in the big world of tech.