THE GATHERING 2026: ‘We are South African’: Imtiaz Sooliman urges citizens to take ownership of their country
In a conversation at The Gathering held in memory of Estelle Ellis, Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman reflected on the journalist who kept calling when people needed help — and on the ordinary South Africans he believes are still capable of changing their country.
In the final days of Daily Maverick journalist Estelle Ellis, founder of Gift of the Givers Dr Imtiaz Sooliman reflected on her unwavering dedication to uncovering stories that often went unnoticed by the country's leaders. A conversation at The Gathering in Cape Town honored Ellis, who tragically passed away on August 5, 2026, at the age of 51.
Sooliman recalled the moment he first met Ellis, noting the "spiritual connection" he felt upon seeing her. He described her as a compassionate journalist with a deep sense of patriotism. Throughout their collaboration, Ellis traveled with Gift of the Givers teams and reported on various crises, including drought, farmers, livestock, Covid-19, and the province's hunger crisis.
Ellis's reporting often went beyond exposing problems; it aimed to tell the stories of individuals who were often overlooked while preserving their dignity. Her research was praised for being unmatched and unparalleled, as she would call Sooliman with critical information about unfolding crises such as day zero and people's need for assistance. Ellis never allowed her reporting to become about herself, always maintaining a focus on the story at hand and holding people accountable without becoming bigger than the issue.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
