Melany Viljoen: South Africa’s Award-Winning TEDx Visionary
In June 2025, at an inspiring ceremony in Sandton, South Africa, Melany Viljoen was honoured as one of the country’s best TEDx speakers for her compelling 2022 talk. This prestigious accolade, awarded only once every five years by TEDx recognizes her exceptional ability to ignite audiences through thought-leadership and entrepreneurial vision.
Presented live to over 300 attendees in 2022, Melany’s TEDx talk explored how creativity and innovation can build lucrative businesses for the future. Blending personal entrepreneurial insights with actionable strategies, she showcased how imaginative thinking can be the bedrock of sustainable business success.
The award was presented in June 2025, at a high-profile TEDx gala in Sandton, Johannesburg. Receiving this rare recognition highlights both the lasting impact of her talk and the tremendous influence she continues to wield in entrepreneurial circles.
Melany’s business journey goes far beyond speaking. She founded and scaled multiple ventures, most notably launching a beauty business into South Africa and transforming it into a luxurious, values-driven franchise across the continent. A staunch advocate for education and women’s empowerment, she has channelled innovation and creativity not just into profits, but into meaningful community change.
Lessons from Her Journey
- Creativity as a Catalyst – In her talk, Melany showed how creative problem-solving can identify niche markets, enhance value propositions, and disrupt norms.
- Innovation as a Strategy – She emphasized innovation not just as a buzzword, but as a core operational strategy—essential for building future-proof, scalable ventures.
- Real-world Proof – Her business track record reflects her TEDx message, transforming visionary ideas into profitable, sustainable enterprises.
Since winning the award, Melany has continued to elevate her platform, offering mentorship, serving as a keynote speaker at industry events, and furthering her influence through her podcast and other media engagements.
Receiving the once-every-five-year TEDx award in June 2025 cements Melany Viljoen’s place as a leading voice in creative entrepreneurship. Her 2022 talk and the recognition it continues to earn, demonstrates the power of imagination when combined with real business acumen. She shows us that creativity isn’t just art, it’s an engine for future wealth and impact.
