---
title: "The Gathering 2025 — Unfiltered. Bold Ideas. Big Names. One Defining Conversation"
description: "Some names need no introduction, and this August they’ll be on one stage – ready to be heard, challenged and engaged with."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "JOIN THE CHANGEMAKERS"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-30-the-gathering-2025-unfiltered-bold-ideas-big-names-one-defining-conversation/"
published: "2025-07-30T17:42:34"
updated: "2025-08-08T10:40:32"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 418
---

# The Gathering 2025 — Unfiltered. Bold Ideas. Big Names. One Defining Conversation

> Some names need no introduction, and this August they’ll be on one stage – ready to be heard, challenged and engaged with.

By Daily Maverick · Published 30 July 2025, 19:42 SAST · Updated 8 August 2025, 12:40 SAST

## Key points
- Get ready to witness a political renaissance at The Gathering 2025, where Stephen Grootes will lead a star-studded panel featuring Herman Mashaba, Songezo Zibi and Mmusi Maimane as they attempt to untangle the threads of a new urban identity in South Africa.
- The Gathering 2025 will feature a pivotal panel, “Creation of New Urban Identity,” led by Daily Maverick's Stephen Grootes.
- Political leaders Herman Mashaba, Songezo Zibi, and Mmusi Maimane will discuss the emergence of a new South African political identity.
- Scheduled for 28 August 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the event promises impactful conversations across various sectors.
- Tickets range from R325 to R2,200, with exclusive perks available for Maverick Insider members.

## Content

We’re proud to confirm that [The Gathering 2025: Changemakers | Impact Edition](https://tinyurl.com/3mcp9rpe) will host a not-to-be-missed panel titled “Creation of New Urban Identity”, led by none other than Daily Maverick associate editor and renowned political journalist [Stephen Grootes](https://speakers.dailymaverick.co.za/speaker/stephen-grootes/).

Joining him for this timely and necessary conversation are three political figures redefining South Africa’s political landscape:

- Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA;
- Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi; and
- Mmusi Maimane, leader of Build One South Africa (Bosa).

#### **A new political identity?**

“There is very little that is genuinely new in our politics – many of our parties have their roots in older parties, often from our apartheid past. But three parties appear to be competing for what looks like a new South African identity. It is largely urban, multiracial and multicultural. They are Rise Mzansi, ActionSA and Bosa.

“These parties might well be pointing the way to a future for our politics. Or, their projects might be doomed to failure. Find out first-hand what their leaders are planning, and how they see themselves, at The Gathering 2025.” – Stephen Grootes

#### **The Gathering 2025: A Day of Impact**

Date: 28 August 2025

Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre

Time: 8am-6pm

Event starts at: 9am

Tickets: R325-R2,200

[Buy tickets here](https://tinyurl.com/3mcp9rpe).

Prepare for a full day of bold conversations with the country’s most influential changemakers across politics, technology, education, activism, the arts and more.

New! Premium Access Ticket: Elevate your Gathering experience with all-day access to the Premium Lounge, including complimentary food and beverages, plus priority access to seating in The Auditorium for every main-stage moment.

Already confirmed for the stage:

- Edward Kieswetter;
- Zingiswa Losi;
- Grace Matlhape;
- Mark Heywood;
- Alan Knott-Craig;
- Kyle Findlay and Aldu Cornelissen;
- Rachel Kolisi;
- Lisa Vetten;
- Larry Cooke;
- Pieter-Louis Myburgh;
- Estelle Ellis;
- Ferial Haffajee; and
- Zukiswa Pikoli.

Plus: A special performance of Round of Applause: Freshly Squeezed for Daily Maverick by Marianne Thamm.

Want a ticket discount? Join [Maverick Insider](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/) for exclusive perks, backstage access and a front-row seat to the truth.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Fran Beighton or Nicole Williamson: email: [fran@dailymaverick.co.za](mailto:fran@dailymaverick.co.za), [nicole@dailymaverick.co.za](mailto:nicole@dailymaverick.co.za)

#### **About Daily Maverick**

[Daily Maverick](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/) is an independent news and analysis platform committed to delivering high-quality journalism that serves as a catalyst for positive change. With a focus on in-depth reporting and insightful commentary, [Daily Maverick](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/) tackles pressing issues across politics, business, science and society.

#### **About the sponsors**

The Gathering 2025 is brought to you in partnership with [Ninety One,](https://ninetyone.com/en/south-africa)and sponsors [Binance](https://www.binance.com/en-ZA) and the[Friedrich Naumann Foundation](https://www.freiheit.org/southeast-and-east-asia/focus/about-us). **DM**