Gareth Cliff talks in the dressing room of Vodaworld ahead of interviewing DA leader Mmusi Maimane at The Gathering. (Greg Nicolson)

EFF leader Julius Malema arrives at Daily Maverick’s The Gathering 2016 event. (Greg Nicolson)

ANC Treasurer-General Zweli Mkhize checks his iPad on the side of stage before addressing Daily Maverick’s The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)

EFF leader Julius Malema gets a touch of make-up before delivering his address at The Gathering. (Greg Nicolson)

DA leader Mmusi Maimane tries on Deep Fried Man’s hat backstage at The Gathering. (Greg Nicolson)

EFF leader Julius Malema walks on stage at The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)

The audience watches as EFF leader Julius Malema is interviewed at Daily Maverick’s The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)

Suspended IPID head Robert McBride, who spoke at The Gathering, was spotted on the sidelines of the event. (Greg Nicolson)

The ANC’s Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau waits to go on stage at The Gathering before debating mayoral candidates from the DA and EFF, Herman Mashaba and Floyd Shivambu. (Greg Nicolson)

Jay Naidoo, Marianne Thamm, Zwelinzima Vavi, Sisonke Msimang and Mark Heywood before taking part in a panel at The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)

Deep Fried Man holds his guitar ahead of a performance at Daily Maverick’s The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)

Main photo: Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan stands on the side of the stage before an emotional appearance at The Gathering 2016. (Greg Nicolson)