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:
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 - media@jtcomms.co.za
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
