What if content creation isn’t just a side hustle… but the future of work? In this talk, Shane explores how the creative journey of building an online presence, even when no one else believes in you, can be just as valid as a traditional career. Sharing the story of how he kept his TED Talk a secret from his parents until the very day, he challenges our assumptions about success, identity, and the courage it takes to start before you're ready. Shane Ting is a content creator, pianist, and storyteller who began sharing videos from his bedroom while studying engineering and physiology. What started as a quiet creative outlet has since grown into a global community of over 100,000 people. Through his journey, Shane has explored the intersection of creativity, self-belief, and communication, helping others find the courage to share their voice, whether through music, content, or public speaking. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

I am an enthusiastic student who believes in balancing academics with creativity and expression. With a deep passion for reading, public speaking, and dancing, I have actively participated in numerous school competitions, showcasing my talent and confidence on various platforms. Always eager to learn and explore. This TEDx marks my second experience on such a stage, and I look forward to share my thoughts and inspire others through my journey and perspective. I am an enthusiastic student who believes in balancing academics with creativity and expression. With a deep passion for reading, public speaking, and dancing, I have actively participated in numerous school competitions, showcasing my talent and confidence on various platforms. Always eager to learn and explore. This TEDx marks my second experience on such a stage, and I look forward to share my thoughts and inspire others through my journey and perspective. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Perché abbiamo smesso di vedere il mare per quello che è?Un mondo straordinario, un tempo sotto i nostri occhi, sta sparendo senza che ce ne accorgiamo.In questo talk, Alberto Luca Recchi racconta il suo viaggio da bambino affascinato dal mare a esploratore e divulgatore impegnato a salvare il "secondo Paradiso" sommerso.Il mare è la nostra origine, ci regala metà dell’ossigeno e custodisce il futuro, ma rischiamo di perderlo.Cosa possiamo fare per proteggerlo? La risposta è semplice e alla portata di tutti. Autore del podcast "Un Mare di Storie" e conferenziere al Presidente Mattarella. Ha scritto per National Geographic e parlato all’Explorers Club di New York. Con Piero Angela ha scritto 5 libri e portato a teatro lo spettacolo-conferenza “I Segreti del Mare”. Nel 2013 è stato premiato da Superquark per la sua diffusione della cultura del mare. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What does it mean to be unique in a universe so vast? In this poetic and thought-provoking TEDx talk, Ayanda explores the beauty of human uniqueness through the lens of science, creativity, and self-discovery. From the death of stars birthing new light, to the way our own struggles shape who we become — this talk reminds us that hardship, curiosity, and authenticity are all parts of the same cosmic story. Through physics, Ayanda finds lessons about resonance, uncertainty, and rebirth — revealing how embracing our true selves allows us to shine even in darkness. Like nebulae forming from dying stars, we too can transform our challenges into light. Because in the grand tapestry of existence, the world doesn’t need another version of someone else — it needs the only version of you. #TEDxUniversityofPretoria #Uniqueness #Creativity #ScienceAndSoul #Inspiration #Kaleidoscopic Ayanda Cebekhulu is a physics student at the University of Pretoria and an astronomy enthusiast. He is also an MC and is currently the Executive Public Relations Officer for the Blue Crane Space Society. With a strong passion for blending science, creativity, and human connection, Ayanda operates at the intersection of space exploration, storytelling, and community building. Known for consistently excelling academically, he has earned top results in his studies and has received recognition for his leadership in various pursuits. Outside of the lecture halls, Ayanda has led science outreach events, hosted debates, and championed initiatives that inspire curiosity about the world. His work bridges the realms of physics and art, demonstrating that innovation thrives when imagination meets knowledge This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Dr. Matthew Fairholm explores the difference between management and leadership in public service, urging officials to lead through empowerment rather than control. Using history, metaphor, and principle, he calls for “noble public service” rooted in humility, transparency, and cooperation—where true leadership guides citizens to act for themselves. Dr. Matthew Fairholm is Professor of Public Administration in the Political Science Department and the W. O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership focusing on public administration, leadership studies, and constitutional governance. He has received several teaching and research awards. Before coming to USD he was the Director of Leadership Studies and Development at GWU’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, where he still serves as a Senior Fellow, and before that he worked at the U.S. Department of Energy. His professional outreach involves organizations spanning the public, private, non-profit, and university settings. He has written dozens of technical reports, professional pieces, and peer-reviewed articles that appear in leading journals, and he is the author, with his father, of the book Understanding Leadership Perspectives: Theoretical and Practical Applications (Springer 2009). He also wrote Putting Your Values to Work: Becoming the Leader Others Want to Follow (Praeger 2013). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if grief wasn’t something to “get over,” but something to understand — even welcome? This talk reimagines grief as a companion rather than an enemy, exploring how loss can become a mirror reflecting the depth of our love. Through poetic language and reflection, it reveals how giving grief words can transform silence into healing. It invites us to see grief as kaleidoscopic — layered, shapeshifting, and profoundly human — where every fragment of pain also holds the light of love. “Grief is not the opposite of love. Grief is love — wearing another face.” #TEDxUniversityofPretoria #Grief #Healing #Poetry #Kaleidoscopic Grace Storm Barnes is a performer, choreographer, spoken word artist, author, and educator whose work explores the intersections of grief, love, and healing through movement, poetry, and performance. She holds a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre Composition, an MA in Applied Drama, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Drama at the University of Pretoria, where her research, Grief as Poetic Body, investigates mourning as nonlinear, collective, and embodied. Since 2016, Grace has created and toured acclaimed original works including Regression, Slip, Breathe, Wait/Weight, and Grieve, that is how you survive, which premiered at the National Arts Festival in 2024 before touring Cape Town and Ghana. She has also published three poetry collections on love, loss, and grief. Through her practice, Grace crafts multidisciplinary forms that give voice and body to experiences often left unspoken, inviting audiences to reimagine grief as a passage into memory, love, and joy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx