The Gathering 2025: Daily Maverick's flagship event returns for its 15th edition
This isn't just another current affairs conference — The Gathering is where South Africa's boldest thinkers and leaders come together to tackle the country's most urgent challenges and explore ideas that could shape the future. Last year's tickets sold out in record time — proof that South Africans are hungry for spaces that matter, conversations that count and change that lasts.
This year's theme: Changemakers | The Impact Edition
The 2025 edition will spotlight people and ideas driving meaningful change across South Africa, with a programme designed to challenge, provoke and inspire.
Hosted by award-winning journalist, sharp political commentator and one of South Africa's most distinctive voices Rebecca Davis, she confirmed speakers joining us on stage include: Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, acclaimed artist Mary Sibande, CEO of SmartStart Grace Matlhape, journalist and human rights activist Mark Heywood, philanthropist and co-founder of the Kolisi Foundation Rachel Kolisi and fibertime founder Alan Knott-Craig.
Plus: Co-founders of Murmur Intelligence Kyle Findlay and Aldu Cornelissen, Daily Maverick CEO Styli Charalambous, award-winning journalists Pieter-Louis Myburgh, Estelle Ellis and Zukiswa Pikoli, and a special performance of Round of Applause: Freshly Squeezed for Daily Maverick by Marianne Thamm.
These are just some of the confirmed speakers (we're keeping a few big surprises!).
What awaits you
Unfiltered debates on education, politics, AI, business and civil society.
High-impact sessions designed to challenge, provoke and inspire.
Direct access to South Africa's boldest thinkers and changemakers.
In addition to thought-provoking discussions, The Gathering 2025 offers a unique opportunity for attendees to explore Daily Maverick, connect with fellow participants and engage in activities throughout the day.
Whether in person at the Cape Town International Convention Centre or joining online, The Gathering 2025 invites individuals from all walks of life to join a community dedicated to shaping the future of our nation.
Date: 28 August 2025
Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre
Time: 8am to 7pm
Event starts at: 9am
Tickets: R325 to R2,200
Book now. Be part of the change. DM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
DA claims President Ramaphosa misled the public on Mcebisi Jonas's US visa rejection
Mcebisi Jonas, MTN chairman, was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as the country's Special Envoy to the US. Image: Supplied The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa's special envoy to the United States, Mcebisi Jonas, was rejected by Washington in May 2025. Jonas was appointed by Ramaphosa to the role of special envoy after the expulsion of former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from Washington earlier this year, following Rasool's incendiary comments labelling US President Donald Trump a leader of a global white supremacist movement. The DA claims that Jonas's application for a diplomatic visa was denied, with the US formally communicating to the Presidency that Jonas was not recognised as the country's official representative. Despite these revelations, Ramaphosa has remained publicly silent, leading the DA to accuse the administration of misleading the public regarding Jonas's position and suitability. "Despite being fully aware that Jonas had been denied a diplomatic visa by the US and would not be formally received, President Ramaphosa doubled down on national TV, declaring Mcebisi Jonas is still my North American envoy and has done good work. "...When confronted with the DA's announcement that it would submit a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) request detailing Jonas' official engagements over the past 90 days, instead of coming clean with the truth, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya lashed out on social media, accusing the DA of 'encroaching' on the President's powers. "The Presidency owes South Africans a full and honest explanation as to how it can justify having doubled down on the appointment of a rapporteur whose credentials have been officially rejected by the host government,'' said the DA. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Jonas was notably absent during the high-profile meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump in May. In response, the presidency released a statement that aimed to clarify his absence, affirming that both Jonas's visa and credentials were indeed valid. However, speculation regarding Jonas's absence arose after reports suggested that the Trump administration raised concerns over past remarks he made, in which he reportedly labelled Trump 'a racist, a homophobe, and a narcissistic right-winger.' The DA added that with no recognised representative currently championing South African interests in the US, the economy stands to lose billions of rands when the tariffs come into effect. "The DA will be writing to the Speaker of Parliament to request an urgent parliamentary briefing from the Presidency on the failed Jonas appointment. The DA will take all necessary steps to demand the immediate appointment of a credible envoy, capable of repairing the immense damage that has now been done," said the party. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
SowetanLIVE
3 hours ago
- SowetanLIVE
ANC briefing on judicial commission of inquiry
'South Africans tired of commissions of inquiry': parties on Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi allegations 'I welcome and respect the president's decision and pledge my commitment to the process,' says police minister Senzo Mchunu. News
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Public tired of costly inquiries, says Free SA
The pointed campaign follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a fresh commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Ironically, Free SA had itself called for such an inquiry — but now says its own members, and a recent survey, reveal a deep crisis of confidence in both the police and the state's use of inquiries to tackle wrongdoing. CIVIL society group Free SA has launched a sharp new public campaign challenging South Africans to ask a question that many have been whispering for years: Do we still trust commissions of inquiry? According to Free SA, only 22% of South Africans trust the South African Police Service. The organisation says this reflects a wider breakdown in faith across the justice system, and commissions of inquiry, once seen as vital democratic tools, are increasingly viewed as costly exercises that yield little real accountability. 'Our members feel strongly that commissions of inquiry have become elaborate theatre — lavishly funded performances with no closing act,' said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'South Africans are weary of watching inquiry after inquiry, only to see the implicated promoted, protected, or quietly forgotten.' While acknowledging that commissions of inquiry are constitutionally legitimate, Free SA argues that they have become political shields rather than genuine instruments of justice. South Africa's recent history offers ample evidence to fuel this scepticism. The Zondo Commission into State Capture, which cost taxpayers over R1 billion, exposed shocking corruption but has resulted in few high-level prosecutions. The Marikana Commission, set up after police killed 34 striking miners in 2012, produced a report but brought little real accountability for those who gave the orders. 'The credibility crisis is not just about one minister or one commission,' Coetzer said. 'It's about the erosion of democratic trust. We don't need more commissions, we need action. We need prosecutions, resignations, recoveries of stolen funds, and above all, leadership that respects the intelligence of its people.'
