Third year Vega student and event organiser, Devon Solomon, says the theme for the 2015 event, Rethink/Unlearn, conceptualised by fellow student and organiser Terri Cameron, made the most sense for them and aligned well to their curriculum within Vega, which challenges them to push boundaries with creative and innovative ideas. “Einstein once said that ‘we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that created them’. Our theme for 2015 was aimed at challenging the ways we perceive and interact with the world around us. Companies and individuals across the globe are abandoning the ways of old and seeking to generate disruptive change; revolutionising how we work, play and even fall in love,” says Solomon.

“In selecting our line-up of speakers we wanted to ensure that we picked game changers from a variety of industries who have made or continue to make an impact by virtue of challenging norms and perceptions. Their stories are inspiring but more importantly they facilitate much-needed engagement on the ills and successes of society,” he continues.

First up on the evening was award winning record producer, DJ as well as entrepreneur, Black Coffee, who recently received two awards at the Ibiza Festival. He spoke about how his success was built solely on seeking the road less taken and turning challenges into opportunities. Then Samkelo Radebe spoke about how the body always follows the mind and how practicing this in his day-to-day life enabled him to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and go on to win numerous awards both here at home and abroad as a Paralympic sprint runner and high jumper – this besides having his hands amputated at a young age.

Award-winning journalist and author, Gia Nicholadis, reminded the audience that it was only by embracing change that we could achieve greatness, while Vega co-founder, Gordon Cook, spoke of how when we start to see each other as one human race, only then can we let go of the things that hold us back, such as prejudice.

Other speakers included the chief economist, Dawie Roodt; Kelsang Mila, a Buddhist nun; author Lebogang Matseke, as well as director and writer Hannecke Schutte.

“Solomon and his team of third year students, consisting of Terri Cameron, Sebastion Hayden, Sbonelo Zulu, Anthony Judaken, Lumko Ngubo, Caitlyn Perret and Majorie Meijerink did well in planning this event from concept to implementation. Not only did they bring the initiative to the school, but they also secured all the speakers and sold out all 140 tickets within an hour of advertising over social media. It is always a joy to see what we teach in the classroom become a reality and this team of students proved that we truly groom future industry leaders who are ready for the working world,” says Nicky Stanley, national marketing navigator at Vega.

The TEDx programme is designed to help communities, organisations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences. At TEDx events, presenters spark deep conversation and connections at the local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently, under a free license granted by TED.

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