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

In this insightful and thought-provoking talk, the speaker reminds us of a primal truth: we are animals too. Drawing from the behavior of creatures in the wild, television experiments like Alone, and decades of scientific research, he exposes how our modern, indoor, isolated lifestyles are making us physically, mentally, and emotionally sick. From obesity and depression to loneliness and addiction, he makes a compelling case that community—not willpower or tools—is the cornerstone of human well-being. The antidote to modern suffering is not more hustle, but more connection. This talk is a call to return to the wisdom of our ancestors: live outside, live together, and remember—we were not designed to survive or thrive on our own. Dan Miller is an internationally renowned nutrition and fitness expert, dedicated to developing comprehensive health and wellness programs tailored for individuals from all walks of life, including busy executives and professional athletes. His mission centers on promoting vibrant longevity, aiming to prevent disease and disorder through sustainable lifestyle changes.In recognition of his impactful work, Dan was honored as Speaker of the Year by members of Vistage, the world's leading executive coaching organization. His engaging and interactive presentations have inspired thousands to achieve permanent, life-changing resultsThrough his company, Dan Miller Wellness, he offers a range of resources, including speaking engagements, workplace wellness programs, and curated health products, all aimed at helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. 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

This speaker exposes the toxic lies of the $150 billion weight loss industry, highlighting how it profits off shame, restriction, and failure. Sharing her personal journey through disordered eating and inherited body shame, she explains how societal pressures and industry messaging distort our relationship with health. Her transformative approach replaces dieting with a holistic method rooted in three powerful “BS” principles: Blood Sugar, Behavioral Science, and Belief Systems. By stabilizing blood sugar, understanding human behavior, and, most importantly, restoring self-worth, people can heal at the root—without scales, calorie counts, or shame. This talk is a call to redefine health, teach self-love, and break generational cycles of guilt and restriction. Carrie Lupoli is a unique combination of certified nutritionist, award-winning behavior specialist, and educator dedicated to empowering women through sustainable health solutions. Overcoming her own struggles with disordered eating, Carrie founded Disruptive Nutrition and the Diet Disruptors podcast (Apple’s Top 100 Health & Wellness podcast) to support women through the science of blood sugar stabilization and behavior change. She also co-founded PFC3 to train, certify, and support other health professionals. Carrie has been featured on national news outlets (TODAY, ABC, FOX, etc.) for challenging the status quo in health and wellness.Carrie was previously a special educator and founded the largest educational consulting firm in Singapore. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science, two Master’s degrees, and certifications from the International Board of Nutrition and Fitness Coaching. She is also a board member of the International Coaching Academy of Nutrition. 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

In this inspiring talk, award-winning author, keynote speaker, and education advocate Erica Alfaro shares her powerful journey of resilience, determination, and transformation. Best known for her viral 2019 graduation photos that captivated global audiences, Erica overcame immense adversity to become the first woman in her family to earn a college degree. Her story has been featured by CNN, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, and more. Through “Your Power Is in Your Story,” Erica reflects on how education became her pathway out of poverty and a catalyst for exponential personal and professional growth. Her journey underscores the power of storytelling, perseverance, and embracing one’s roots as a source of strength and purpose. Erica Alfaro was born in Fresno, CA but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. She was 13 years old when her family returned to the United States. Erica struggled academically, became a teen mom, dropped out of high school, and lived many years of domestic abuse. After many adversities, Erica defied the odds and became the first woman in her family to obtain a formal education and a graduate degree. Education was Erica’s ticket out of poverty and the door to many opportunities.In 2019, Erica’s graduation picture, where she is standing in a strawberry field with her farmworker parents, became the first graduation picture to go viral and make headlines worldwide. 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

Eric Moyal is the Executive Director of Project Insulin, a nonprofit initiative working to make life-saving medications more accessible and affordable. Prior to founding Project Insulin, Eric led successful fundraising efforts at Brandeis University, helping to raise over $2 million through the 2020 and 2021 Giving Tuesday campaigns. He also serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the communications committee for the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, where he has spent the past three years advocating for those with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). In his 2020 TEDx talk, Eric explored how to be a more effective ally to individuals with chronic illnesses. In this talk, The Potential of Non-Profit Drugs, Eric examines how nonprofit models can challenge traditional pharmaceutical structures and provide innovative solutions to some of healthcare’s most urgent access issues. Before founding Project Insulin, Eric Moyal was a fundraiser at Brandeis University and helped coordinate the 2020 & 2021 Giving Tuesday Campaigns that raised over $2,000,000. Eric is on the Board of Directors and chair of the communications committee at Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association. He has spent the past three years raising money and awareness for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and gave a TEDx talk in 2020 about how to be a better ally to people with chronic illnesses. 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

In this stirring and urgent talk, a trailblazing young CTO challenges the barriers of access, privilege, and gatekeeping in the technology sector. Speaking from her lived experience as a rural girl who rose to tech leadership, she issues a call to action: empower Africa’s youth not through permission, but through purpose. From boardrooms to village classrooms, she reimagines a continent where the next great innovator isn’t waiting in Silicon Valley—but is already coding by candlelight in Venda. This is more than a talk—it's a blueprint for rewriting Africa’s digital destiny. Boitumelo Makgoba is a visionary leader in Data Science, AI, and Predictive Analytics, driving data-driven innovation and business transformation. As Founder & CEO of Fetsi Data Technologies, she leads AI strategies, data monetisation, and agritech initiatives. Through Fetsi Impact Hub, she empowers entry-level IT professionals and unemployed graduates with career pathways. She also champions agritech training, equipping farmers with climate-smart skills for economic resilience. Recognised among SA’s Top 10 Tech Leaders, Top 100 CIOs, and Top 50 Under 50 (UN Women), Boitumelo is committed to democratising knowledge and opportunity. At TEDxJabavu 2025, she will share her mission to empower IT professionals and agripreneurs through inclusive platforms that drive growth and social impact. 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