Johannesburg is about to make some global noise for all the right reasons. On 24 and 25 October, TEDxJohannesburg Countdown 2025 takes over Sandton and the NIROX Sculpture Park, bringing together some of Africa’s boldest thinkers, artists, and innovators to tackle one massive question: how can we build a greener, fairer, thriving future?
It’s not just another conference. It’s one of only 18 official TED Countdown Anchor Events happening worldwide this year, and Joburg’s edition is set to connect big global ideas with the energy, creativity, and urgency of African cities.
A different kind of climate conversation
Expect less boardroom talk, more imagination. From transport innovation in Sandton to climate art in Rosebank, and culminating in a full day of talks, performances, and food under the trees at NIROX, the two-day event unfolds through the city like a story, exploring how Africa is reshaping the conversation around climate justice.
“This isn’t another conference — it’s a call to action,” says Kelo Kubu, the powerhouse behind TEDxJohannesburg. “We’re connecting global urgency with local brilliance — because the ideas coming out of Africa deserve a global stage.”
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Who’s taking the stage
The lineup is a blend of science, culture, and creativity, including:
- Crispian Olver, Deputy Chair of the Presidential Climate Commission
- Nokulinda Mkhize, writer and sangoma, exploring ancestral wisdom in climate futures
- Leonie Joubert, award-winning science journalist
- Sifiso Gumbi, co-founder of Urban Surfer, turning waste into opportunity
- Christophe Fellay (Switzerland), a sound artist who literally plays rhythms for a planet in flux
Talks will be paired with live performances, art interventions, and food experiences curated by NIROX, transforming the event into a unique blend of festival and think tank.
Why it’s a big deal
Africa is at the centre of the climate story, and TEDxJohannesburg Countdown 2025 gives Joburg the mic. With videos reaching TED’s 43 million YouTube subscribers, the ideas shared here will echo far beyond the Cradle of Humankind.
It’s proof that Joburg isn’t just talking about the future, it’s helping to build it.
The details
When: 24–25 October 2025
Where: Sandton & NIROX Sculpture Park, Cradle of Humankind
Tickets: tedxjohannesburg.com/2025-countdown
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