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"contents": "<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’re proud to confirm that </span><a href=\"https://tinyurl.com/3mcp9rpe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gathering 2025: Changemakers | Impact Edition</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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 </span><a href=\"https://speakers.dailymaverick.co.za/speaker/stephen-grootes/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stephen Grootes</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joining him for this timely and necessary conversation are three political figures redefining South Africa’s political landscape:</span></p><ul><li>Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA;</li><li>Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi; and</li><li>Mmusi Maimane, leader of Build One South Africa (Bosa).</li></ul><h4><b>A new political identity?</b></h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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. </span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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</span></p><h4><b>The Gathering 2025: A Day of Impact</b></h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Date: 28 August 2025</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time: 8am-6pm</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Event starts at: 9am</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tickets: R325-R2,200</span></p><p><a href=\"https://tinyurl.com/3mcp9rpe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buy tickets here</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare for a full day of bold conversations with the country’s most influential changemakers across politics, technology, education, activism, the arts and more.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already confirmed for the stage:</span></p><ul><li>Edward Kieswetter;</li><li>Zingiswa Losi;</li><li>Grace Matlhape;</li><li>Mark Heywood;</li><li>Alan Knott-Craig;</li><li>Kyle Findlay and Aldu Cornelissen;</li><li>Rachel Kolisi;</li><li>Lisa Vetten;</li><li>Larry Cooke;</li><li>Pieter-Louis Myburgh;</li><li>Estelle Ellis;</li><li>Ferial Haffajee; and</li><li>Zukiswa Pikoli.</li></ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus: A special performance of Round of Applause: Freshly Squeezed for Daily Maverick by Marianne Thamm.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want a ticket discount? Join </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maverick Insider</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for exclusive perks, backstage access and a front-row seat to the truth.</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For media enquiries, please contact:</span></p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fran Beighton or Nicole Williamson: email: </span><a href=\"mailto:fran@dailymaverick.co.za\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fran@dailymaverick.co.za</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, </span><a href=\"mailto:nicole@dailymaverick.co.za\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nicole@dailymaverick.co.za</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></p><h4><b>About Daily Maverick</b></h4><p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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, </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tackles pressing issues across politics, business, science and society.</span></p><h4><b>About the sponsors</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> </span></h4><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gathering 2025 is brought to you in partnership with </span><a href=\"https://ninetyone.com/en/south-africa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ninety One, </span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and sponsors </span><a href=\"https://www.binance.com/en-ZA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Binance</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the</span><a href=\"https://www.freiheit.org/southeast-and-east-asia/focus/about-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Friedrich Naumann Foundation</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span><b>DM</b></p>",
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Herman Mashaba, Mmusi Maimane, Stephen Grootes and Songezo Zibi 