TEDxSummerstrand

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Archbishop Grady L. Morris, Sr

  Founder Ekklesia Worldwide

  Archbishop Grady L. Morris, Sr. was a respected faith leader, mentor, veteran, and community advocate whose life was dedicated to service, leadership, and spiritual guidance. Through decades of ministry, mentorship, and community impact, he inspired generations with his wisdom, discipline, compassion, and unwavering commitment to empowering others through faith and purpose.

• Bishop Juanita Morris

  CEO / Author

  Bishop Juanita W. Morris is an author, entrepreneur, and faith leader whose life and leadership have inspired generations through wisdom, resilience, and purpose-driven service. With decades of experience guiding communities through faith, empowerment, and personal growth, she continues to encourage others to embrace change, lifelong learning, and the power of still becoming.

• Chantal Harris

  Comedian, Speaker

  Chantal Harris is a South African comedian, speaker, and storyteller who believes that laughter can open doors to conversations many people are afraid to have. Through humor, vulnerability, and unapologetic honesty, she shares stories that challenge shame, celebrate resilience, and inspire deeper self-understanding. After getting sober at 42 and stepping onto a comedy stage for the first time at 55, Chantal discovered that some of life's greatest breakthroughs come not from fixing ourselves, but from finally understanding who we are. Today, she performs and speaks across South Africa, using her unique voice to spark conversations about identity, addiction, neurodivergence, and the courage to live authentically. Her work reminds audiences that it is never too late to rewrite the story you tell yourself—and that the journey toward self-awareness may be the greatest freedom of all.

• Christopher Luke-Peers

  Financial Architect • Entrepreneur • Para-Athlete

  Christopher-Luke Peers is a South African financial architect, entrepreneur, and competitive multi-disciplinary para-athlete dedicated to reimagining how financial systems serve people during life's most challenging moments. Following a life-altering stroke in 2023, he combined his professional expertise in corporate finance and banking with his personal journey of recovery to advocate for more compassionate, human-centered financial innovation. Through his work, Christopher-Luke challenges conventional thinking and inspires audiences to build systems that protect people—not just profits.

• Dalton Kornegay PhD

  President/ Men of Change, Inc.

  Dalton Kornegay, Ph.D. is a leadership development advocate, mentor, and community leader dedicated to empowering men and strengthening communities through mentorship, education, and personal growth. As President of Men of Change, Inc., he has spent years helping young men and emerging leaders develop the confidence, character, and support systems needed to thrive. Through his work, Dr. Kornegay champions the belief that success is rarely achieved alone and that mentorship plays a critical role in shaping future generations. His passion for leadership, service, and community transformation has made him a respected voice on the power of guidance, accountability, and human connection. At TEDxSummerstrand, he explores how mentorship and meaningful relationships help shape strong leaders and why no one reaches their full potential alone.

• Debbi DiMaggio

  Author / Entrpreneur

  Debbi DiMaggio is an entrepreneur, author, and real estate advisor known for her passion for leadership, personal growth, and empowering others to pursue purpose-driven success. Through decades of experience in business and mentorship, she inspires audiences to embrace resilience, consistency, and the mindset needed to build a meaningful and lasting legacy.

• Dr. Lendy Spires

  Educator

  Dr. Lendy Spires is an educator, leader, and advocate for innovation, empowerment, and transformational growth. With a passion for leadership development and community impact, Dr. Spires is committed to inspiring individuals to embrace purpose, lifelong learning, and meaningful change in both education and everyday life.

• Dr. Terrence Elliott

  Founder/ T.L. Elliott Ministries

  Dr. Terrence L. Elliott is an Archbishop, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor whose life and leadership have been dedicated to serving others through faith, wellness, and community impact. With decades of experience in healthcare administration, ministry, and organizational leadership, he has helped individuals and families navigate some of life's most challenging moments. After facing his own battle with cancer, Dr. Elliott gained a renewed perspective on health, prevention, resilience, and the importance of taking action before and after a diagnosis. His personal journey transformed his understanding of survival, inspiring him to become an advocate for proactive health awareness and informed decision-making. At TEDxSummerstrand, Dr. Elliott challenges audiences to rethink what it means to be truly healthy, emphasizing that survival begins long before a diagnosis and continues through the choices we make every day.

• Ezethu Sivuku

  Founder / CEO of NHUSTA

  Ezethu Sivuku is a South African entrepreneur, innovator, and founder of NHUSTA, an emerging education technology venture dedicated to transforming how young people learn, grow, and unlock their potential. Passionate about technology, innovation, and human development, she is creating solutions that make learning more engaging, accessible, and impactful. Alongside her pursuit of a career in accounting, Ezethu has established herself as a visionary founder committed to solving real-world challenges through purposeful innovation. She believes that while talent is universal, opportunity is not—and that the future belongs to those willing to create it. Representing a new generation of African innovators, Ezethu is passionate about building scalable solutions that empower young people and strengthen communities. Her mission is to unlock potential at scale and help shape a future where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

• Gerald Pietersen

  Youth Advocate / Entrepreneur

  Gerald Pietersen is a youth leader, innovator, and community advocate passionate about empowering young people to create opportunities through leadership, creativity, and resilience. Through his work in community development and mentorship, he inspires the next generation to think beyond limitations and become changemakers within their communities.

• Min. Thonya Ryan

  Speaker | Minister | Transformational Leadership & Identity Coach

  Thonya Ryan is a speaker, minister, and transformational leader passionate about helping people break free from limiting beliefs and rediscover their authentic identity. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming self-doubt, rejection, and the weight of others' expectations, she inspires audiences to replace labels with purpose and embrace the truth of who they are. Through powerful storytelling and practical insight, Thonya empowers individuals to cultivate self-awareness, build resilience, and live with confidence and authenticity. Her message challenges people to stop allowing others to define them and instead become the authors of their own story.

• Neal Prinsloo

  Mindset Coach

  Neal Prinsloo is a mindset coach, transformation advocate, and endurance athlete passionate about helping others overcome adversity and unlock their full potential. Through his journey of resilience, recovery, and personal growth, he inspires audiences to embrace discipline, perseverance, and the courage to keep moving forward—even before they feel ready.

• Prof. Darelle van Greunen

  Distinguished Professor Information Technology Director Centre for Community Technologies

  **Professor Darelle van Greunen** is a Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Director of the Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University. An internationally recognized researcher and innovator, her work focuses on using technology to improve healthcare, education, and community development through human-centered digital solutions. With more than two decades of leadership in digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and smart communities, Professor van Greunen is passionate about ensuring that technology serves people, creates access, and transforms lives. At TEDx Summerstrand, she shares how innovation can become a powerful force for humanity when it is designed with purpose.

• R.Andrew Howard, Jr

  Leadership & Human Potential Advocate

  R. Andrew Howard, Jr. is a leadership and human potential advocate dedicated to helping individuals move beyond perceived limitations and pursue lives of purpose. Through his personal journey and passion for developing others, he encourages people to recognize that potential alone is never enough—it is passion, intentional action, and perseverance that transform possibility into achievement. His mission is to challenge others to become more than they ever thought possible.

• Selwyn Willis

  CEO/ Community Chest

  Selwyn Willis is a community leader and nonprofit executive dedicated to driving sustainable impact and social transformation. As CEO of Community Chest Eastern Cape, he has led initiatives focused on community development, collaboration, and empowering organizations that create meaningful change. His work centers on leadership, service, and rethinking how communities invest in lasting impact.