Toby Shapshak: Innovation Technology

Toby Shapshak writes and speaks about how innovation is better in Africa. His TED talk on how Africa is solving real problems has had over 1,4-million views; and he has been featured in the New York Times. He is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Stuff magazine; is a contributor to Forbes and writes a weekly […]

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Johannesburg
  • **Fee range: 50,000 - 75,000

Toby Shapshak writes and speaks about how innovation is better in Africa. His TED talk on how Africa is solving real problems has had over 1,4-million views; and he has been featured in the New York Times. He is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Stuff magazine; is a contributor to Forbes and writes a weekly […]

Toby Shapshak writes and speaks about how innovation is better in Africa. His TED talk on how Africa is solving real problems has had over 1,4-million views; and he has been featured in the New York Times. He is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Stuff magazine; is a contributor to Forbes and writes a weekly column for the Financial Mail.
He has been co-hosting a weekly TV show on CNBC Africa for the past two years.
He believes Africa is a mobile-driven continent, about which he has written for CNN, The Guardian in London and for Forbes. He is writing a book on innovation in Africa, looking at how the problems Africa is solving for itself will benefit the rest of the world.
Toby has spoken at the South by South West (SxSW) conference in Austin, Texas, (thrice) on how mobile is being used in Africa (2013) and how music is being consumed (2014); and The Guardian’s Activate: Johannesburg on innovation out of necessity.
He has also spoken at Intel’s IDF conference in San Francisco, Germany’s Zukunftskongress (Future Congress), TEDxGateway in Mumbai, Pivot East in Nairobi, and Tech4Africa in Joburg.

Toby Shapshak – Innovation Technology

Toby was named in GQ’s top 30 men in media and the Mail & Guardian newspaper’s 300 influential young South Africans list; and has been the ICT Journalist of the Year. GQ said he “has become the most high-profile technology journalist in the country” while the M&G wrote: “Toby Shapshak is all things tech… he reigns supreme as the major talking head for everything and anything tech.”
As a news and political journalist, he ran Mail & Guardian newspaper’s website when it was the first news site in Africa, shadowed Nelson Mandela when he was president, and covered the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Toby Shapshak has interviewed a range of tech industry luminaries, including Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
Formerly a senior newspaper reporter covering everything from crime to politics, he has been writing about innovation, telecoms and the internet and the impact it has on our lives for more than 20 years; including the Sunday Times, Business Day, Mail & Guardian, The Financial Mail, The Times, City Press, ThisDay, and The Weekender.

Toby Shapshak was named in GQ’s top 30 men in media and the Mail & Guardian newspaper’s 300 influential young South Africans list; and has been the ICT Journalist of the Year.

GQ said he “has become the most high-profile technology journalist in the country” while the M&G wrote: “Toby Shapshak is all things tech… he reigns supreme as the major talking head for everything and anything tech.”

Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Talent Resources to download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links

View further speakers

Quinton Pretorius is a dynamic and inspiring speaker who lives and breathes diversity. With an exceptional ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, Quinton shares a powerful message of resilience, unity, and transformation. His personal journey is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity, making him a sought-after speaker […]

  • Leveraging Diversity
  • (1 reviews)

Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase embodies resilience, determination, and the unyielding pursuit of dreams against all odds. Born into the tumultuous backdrop of war-torn Rwanda, Pie-Pacifique’s early life was marked by the horrors of genocide. Faced with the grim reality of violence and persecution, he made the courageous decision to leave his homeland in pursuit of safety. His […]

  • Inspiring Motivational
  • (1 reviews)

Wendy Mahoney corporate positions include; Executive Director European Times, Director Sales and Marketing CNBC and Forbes Africa, General Manager Sales Trudon South Africa and Director Trudon Namibia. Wendy now heads Newmella Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a Global Business Innovation Consultancy focused on growing the profit of companies by enabling and inspiring them to innovate at a […]

  • Behavioural Specialist

Simon Gear is the environmental and science correspondent for Primedia Broadcasting and the anchor presenter for 50/50 on SABC 2.  He was a senior broadcasting meteorologist with the SABC from 1999 to 2011. He is an air quality and climate change specialist and has worked on a wide range of private and government projects in […]

  • Environmental Speaker

Richard Sutton is a renowned health and performance expert based in South Africa, celebrated for his innovative approaches to stress resilience and human potential optimization. With a career spanning over two decades, Richard has been instrumental in guiding elite athletes, corporate leaders, and organizations toward achieving peak performance through strategic lifestyle and behavioral modifications. In […]

  • Health Performance

Sechaba Gqeba, affectionately known as Sechaba G, is a dynamic force in South African media—a celebrated radio and television personality whose voice, presence, and message resonate far beyond the airwaves. With a career spanning over two decades, she brings a commanding presence to every stage, seamlessly blending her passion for storytelling with an authentic connection […]

  • Celebrity Emcee
  • (1 reviews)

Palesa Mosiea epitomizes the essence of resilience and achievement. As a dynamic speaker, she delves into multifaceted topics including entrepreneurship, embracing change, the power of dreams, overcoming challenges, women empowerment, leadership, image and branding, confidence and assertiveness, as well as health and fitness. With a compelling narrative rooted in her personal journey, Palesa inspires audiences […]

  • Inspirational Speaker

Letshego Zulu is a renowned South African event emcee, published author, and keynote speaker, widely recognized for her poise, eloquence, and powerful storytelling. With an innate ability to connect deeply with audiences, Letshego has graced the stage at numerous high-profile events, blending her multifaceted experiences with an engaging, compassionate style. A well-known public figure, she […]

  • Empowerment
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel