The Faculty of Law (UP) at the University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to announce that  Ngwalemorwa Matsapola, a 2021 final-year LLB student, had the honour to present a TEDx talk at TEDx UniversityofPretoria, titled "The pattern of mediocrity is what makes you relatable" in 2019, which is now featuring on the International TED.com website and on TEDx YouTube. This is an achievement of note as TED is judicious regarding the publication of global TEDx talks.

In her presentation, Matsapola actively questioned the level of mediocrity that individuals possess in society, and most importantly, critically analysed why individuals compromise the self to fit into social environments, in particular where the acts of compromise limit future potential. Consequently, TEDx is now featuring Matsapola’s presentation on the official TED.com website and the TEDx YouTube page.

TEDx is a global community from every discipline and culture who seeks a deeper understanding of the world, and who passionately believes in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world. This non-profit organisation’s primary mission is the global sharing of ideas worth disseminating.  

Matsapola’s achievements inter alia include her being the 2015 Rotary Junior International Ambassador, TEDx speaker, 2020 TEDxUniversityofPretoria Head of Transformation and Community Outreach, student mentor, and currently, a delegate of and scholarship recipient of Change the World Model United Nations.

In the words of Matsapola, “I have truly realised that ‘pressure is a privilege’. Appreciating pressure has indeed accelerated my growth as a proactive problem solver, creative thinker, lawyer-to-be, international public speaker, and leader. Equally so, the privilege embedded in pressure is easily the reason that individuals compromise themselves to fit into a social environment that does not communicate consistent standards and true identity. The world is changing and the future is being re-envisioned. There is no better opportunity and time for individuals to re-envision themselves according to the highest element of themselves.’