Build Your Own Table: Innovation, Identity, and the Power of Why | Celamusa Thusi | TEDxJabavu
In this emotionally charged and electrifying talk, Celamusa Thusi, the founding director of Eswatini Coding School, takes us from the quiet village of Lukula in Eswatini to the global tech stage. With a rallying cry that "sometimes you won’t be invited to the table because you don’t have your own," he challenges young Africans to stop waiting for inclusion and instead create platforms of their own. He unpacks the power of asking "why," showing how that simple question has birthed global innovations like Google and Uber. Through real stories—like that of an Eswatini beauty entrepreneur transformed by AI—and his own journey from a student app developer to winning an international Google competition, Celamusa redefines how we should view technology: not as a threat, but as a tool for freedom, speed, and opportunity. His message is a bold reminder that even in places distant from opportunity, young minds with bold dreams can lead the future—if they dare to build Celumusa Thusi is an accomplished IT specialist, entrepreneur, and technology advocate from Eswatini, with a deep commitment to driving innovation within the country's tech sector. He currently serves as the Managing Director of HOPEMAT Ltd., where he leads the development of secure payment systems, digital solutions, and custom software across various industries. As the founder of Swazi Smart Data, Celumusa is focused on providing impactful, digital-first solutions to enhance Eswatini's technology infrastructure, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and software development.In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Celumusa serves as a board director at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), where he supports technological growth and fosters innovation. His leadership extends to mentoring and judging in key events, such as the MTN Hackathon, where he evaluates and encourages groundbreaking digital solutions. 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
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