SA’s TED finalists named

The legendary non-profit TED speaking platform has teamed up with TEDxSoweto to see which of 15 South African finalists will make the grade for TED2013. The candidates range from tech editor Toby Shapshak to photojournalist Jodi Bieber.

TED, the non-profit devoted to ‚Ideas Worth Spreading,‚ and the organisers of TEDx Soweto take pride in announcing today the finalists for TED’s Johannesburg Worldwide Talent Search event. Fifteen speakers, selected from applicants who submitted videos for consideration, will take the stage on 3rd May 2012 at MIAGI Music Centre in Soweto, Johannesburg to deliver 3-6 minutes talks before an audience comprised of the local TED community and TED directors. Johannesburg is one of only three African cities to host events as part of TED’s 14-city Worldwide Talent Search. The public search encouraged local thinkers to submit ideas to be considered for the mainstage at TED’s flagship annual conference in Long Beach: TED2013 ‚The Young, The Wise, The Undiscovered.‚ This extraordinary process has yielded a lineup of exceptional speakers. Amongst them are Lee Swan, first African woman to reach the magnetic North Pole: Steve Barnett, the silent conductor: talented emerging young leader Raelene Rorke: tech luminary Toby Shapshak, Melodi Music founder Nimrod Moloto, World Press Photo of the Year winner for 2011 Jodi Bieber, barefoot astronomer Simon Racliffe and inventors Gary Flax and Ludwick Marishane. TEDxSoweto convenor Kelo Kubu said: ‚In these 15 speakers TED has successfully found remarkable people doing great work, across disciplines, ready to showcase Africa’s ingenuity on a global platform‚ . To apply to be a part of the audience at this this ground-breaking event, please go to www.tedxsoweto.co.za or e-mail: info@tedxsoweto.co.za

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