Young Midrand student to deliver TED Talk in New York

South Africa will be well-represented at this month's TED-Ed conference in New York. Ayanda Bokaba (12) will travel to the Big Apple to deliver a talk titled "How Criticism affects People’s Confidence" as part of TED's youth initiative which "champions the ideas of students globally". 

Bokaba says she wants to use her speech to "use the right type of criticism or change their approach of how they talk to others".

Bokaba is currently in Grade Six at Carlswald House Preparatory School in Midrand. With the help of Think Ahead, an organisation which offers schools the tools and guidance necessary to provide a teaching and learning experience that fits the ideals of the 21st century, Bokaba submitted her application and was chosen, along with Matric student Boipelo Moagi, to represent South Africa at TED-Ed. 

Bokaba hopes to open people's eyes to the importance of learning and practicing respectful ways of expressing thoughts and interacting with each other. She wants to share how she has learned to deal with criticism from other people: "I sometimes feel bad when I am criticised but I know how to deal with it and so it doesn't affect me too much anymore. If I am criticised, I try to change the concept from negative to positive." This is the knowledge Bokaba hopes to impart to her audience at TED-Ed. 

Using the kind of candid humour that is unique to youngsters such as herself, Bokaba will share a handful of tips for building confidence within yourself so that you are better able to accept and process criticism from the world. The charm and confidence with which Bokaba speaks on the stage will surely win the audience's hearts. 

Bokaba's mother, Nthabiseng Mokoto, couldn't be prouder of how far her child is going with her talents: "I've always known from her days in creche that she would make it this far because she loves performing. She is a perfectionist."

Image: Think Ahead