TED Talk Tuesday #211 Celebrating Freedom

TED continues to spread ideas and help us all be better critical thinkers. Watching, listening and talking about TED Talks is a popular pastime for many in the CN&CO community. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh, learn or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations and business opportunities. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. It’s also a way that the CN&CO team play their part in spreading ideas and helping to make the world a better place.

Today is Freedom Day.

The 27th of April commemorates the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa, a historic day and one that shaped the future of our country.

Last year, we celebrated Freedom Day by helping to launch the #AnthemChallengeRSA video of over 1000 ordinary South Africans coming together – virtually – to celebrate unity and strength through diversity – as our coat of arms reminds us. ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke

A year has passed, and the project has received hundreds of thousands of views. It has inspired us and reminded us of the strength we have when we unite.

Reflecting on Freedom Day, I have opted to share the TED Talk below.

The reason for my choice is because as I reflected on history and everything that has happened in the past which has bought us to this point, I was drawn to the word confidence. Confidence, because people had the ability to stand up, to do things differently and to build a more unified country. We need this today and we need to give ourselves confidence to discover ways to overcome the challenges that we face.

“Confidence is the necessary spark before everything that follows,” said educator and activist Brittany Packnett. This talk is featured in one of the most read blogs on the CN&CO site and for good reason.

As we celebrate Freedom Day, each in our unique way, let’s remember to be grateful for the freedom we have and to encourage ourselves to help make the world a better place. We truly are #InThisTogether.