TEDxJohannesburg Brings Global Climate Action Stage to Africa

One of only 18 official TED Countdown events worldwide | 24–25 October 2025 | Sandton + NIROX Sculpture Park

Johannesburg, South Africa — 9 October 2025 - Johannesburg will take the global spotlight later this month as TEDxJohannesburg Countdown 2025 unfolds on 24–25 October, one of only 18 official TED Countdown Anchor Events taking place around the world this year.

Hosted across Sandton and the NIROX Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind, the two-day event brings together Africa’s leading thinkers, artists, scientists, and changemakers to explore how the continent is shaping solutions to the climate crisis — ahead of the G20 Climate Meetings in Johannesburg and COP30 in Brazil.

With the theme “Countdown 2025: to a greener, fairer, thriving future,” the gathering will amplify ideas and innovations driving Africa’s response to the climate emergency — from clean energy transitions to water resilience, food security, and creative activism.

“This isn’t another conference — it’s a call to action,” says Kelo Kubu, Licensee and Organiser of TEDxJohannesburg. “Our goal is to connect the global urgency of climate change with the lived experiences and solutions emerging right here in Africa.”

Day 1: From Ideas to Action

Friday, 24 October opens in Sandton, hosted by Gautrain at GIBS in Illovo, with a session on Transport of the Future.

Participants will then explore curated “deep dives” across Gauteng — from waste picker innovation at Urban Surfer in Parktown, to climate finance and resilience workshops at Workshop17 Hyde Park, and a creative climate art showcase at Rosebank’s The Bank.

The day ends with an evening experience under the stars at Wits’ Anglo American Digital Dome, where light, sound, and storytelling meet science and imagination.

Day 2: Climate, Art, and Imagination at NIROX

Saturday, 25 October transforms NIROX Sculpture Park into a festival of ideas, art, and performance.

Fourteen speakers — from policymakers and scientists to artists and traditional healers — will take the TEDx stage surrounded by nature and art.

Speaker highlights include:

• Crispian Olver – Deputy Chairperson, Presidential Climate Commission
• Nokulinda Mkhize – Sangoma, writer, and educator on ancestral wisdom and climate futures
• Leonie Joubert – Award-winning science writer and journalist
• Sifiso Gumbi – Co-founder, Urban Surfer, on reimagining waste as opportunity
• Viaksha Mohabir – G20 Energy Transition advisor
• Christophe Fellay (Switzerland) – Drummer and sound artist composing rhythms for a planet in flux

Talks will be interwoven with live music, performance art, and culinary experiences curated by NIROX — creating an immersive space where art meets activism and creativity fuels justice.

Why It Matters

Africa holds the keys to a sustainable global future. From community-driven adaptation to renewable energy innovation, African ideas are redefining what climate justice looks like.

TEDxJohannesburg Countdown 2025 is a platform to amplify those stories — connecting global urgency with local leadership and ensuring Africa’s voice helps shape the world’s climate agenda.

Videos of the talks will be shared on the TEDx YouTube channel, reaching over 43 million subscribers worldwide, extending the impact of these ideas far beyond the event.

The event’s outcomes will also be captured in a digital Climate Action Report, shared with policymakers, innovators, and networks across Africa and beyond.

Sustainability Commitment

Hosting the event at NIROX Sculpture Park is a deliberate statement: sustainability in action. From low-impact infrastructure and locally sourced catering to capped attendance (750 people), every detail reflects the event’s environmental ethos.

Partners Making It Possible

The event is powered by a coalition of purpose-driven partners: Gautrain, NIROX Sculpture Park, Network X OOH, Lucky Hustle, Naritive, KuMo&Co, and Fine Acts.

Each contributes creative and technical expertise to amplify ideas that can change everything.

Join the Movement - Tickets are limited and available at - www.tedxjohannesburg.com/2025-countdown

Follow and engage online - #TEDxJohannesburg #Countdown2025 #ClimateActionAfrica

Media Contact - JT Communication Solutions - +27 83 954 6133 / +27 11 788 7632 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About TEDxJohannesburg

Since 2009, TEDxJohannesburg has been a platform for South Africa’s boldest thinkers and doers. Independently organised under licence from TED, TEDxJohannesburg curates transformative talks, performances, and ideas that shape the future. - tedxjohannesburg.com

About TED Countdown

TED Countdown is TED’s global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into action through talks, collaborations, and community events worldwide. - countdown.ted.com