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Spacious by design
This is not a rushed conference format. The gathering allows time for group sessions, conversation, walking, reflection and rest.
A retreat for reflection, relationship and renewal
The Hogsback Gathering
Immerse yourself in a transformative retreat experience in the enchanting natural landscape of Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
About the Gathering
A gathering rooted in contact, presence and curiosity
The Hogsback Gathering offers a reflective and relational space for people who want to slow down, deepen practice and be in meaningful conversation with others. It is designed as both a retreat and a learning experience, where the natural environment becomes part of the work.
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Learning in relationship
Participants are invited into experiential and relational ways of learning, with attention to dialogue, awareness and what emerges in contact.
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Nature as container
The quiet atmosphere of Hogsback supports renewal, integration and a temporary step away from everyday pace.
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Creative expression
Using art to energise and integrate learning.
The ground
The ground
Hogsback, perched in the Amathole Mountains of South Africa’s Eastern Cape, offers a stunning natural setting for our gathering. Surrounded by indigenous forests, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and open skies, it carries a deep history shaped by Xhosa culture, European settlement, and artistic communities. Its unique ecology, mystical atmosphere, and layered stories provide fertile ground for exploration, reflection, and reconnection.
Learn more about Hogsback
Previous Gathering
A glimpse of the previous gathering
The Hogsback Gathering brought together practitioners, facilitators and learners for several days of dialogue, reflection and shared exploration. Participants engaged in experiential sessions, small group conversations, walks through the surrounding forests, and informal moments of connection that continued long after the formal sessions ended.
During the gathering we explored the five elements — earth, water, fire, air and space — allowing each element to shape the rhythm of the day and the themes of our work together. For the element of earth, participants engaged in an immersive experience with the Victory of the Word team — Athi-Patra Ruga and Sibusiso Mnyanda. The landscape became a living text for reflection and artistic inquiry, as we explored sites carrying histories of prophecy, dispossession, resistance, and cultural reclamation from the era of the Frontier Wars. Each day built on the last, drawing on immersion, creativity, storytelling and embodied practices that encouraged participants to slow down, sense more deeply, and connect with themselves and others.
Alongside this, we explored Gestalt principles and techniques through dialogue, reflection and experiential exercises. The gathering created a space where learning unfolded organically through encounter, curiosity and shared presence.
“It served its purpose of restoring my energy. I particularly liked connecting to the elements. Nature equals restoration. The Gestalt theories were a cherry on the top.”
“Connecting, fulfilling, informative.”
“I really enjoyed it, both from an experiential point of view and in terms of intellectual stimulation, as well as meeting very interesting people.”
Venue
Venue
Located in the heart of Hogsback, the Hunterstoun Centre is a retreat and learning venue run by the University of Fort Hare. With its forested surrounds, peaceful atmosphere, and deep commitment to reflection and social transformation, it offers the perfect setting for our gathering.
Organising Committee
People holding the gathering
For the 2026 Gathering, the Organising Committee is partnering with Athi-Patra Ruga of Victory of the Word — an organisation that reimagines Southern African knowledge systems through research, archives, contemporary art, and public programmes.
To learn more about Victory of the Word, visit the website here.
Athi-Patra Ruga
Multidisciplinary artist exploring memory, materiality, and imagined futures through performance, photography, video, textiles, and printmaking.
Jeremy Timm
Facilitator exploring human systems with deep curiosity and empathy for how they grow and transform.
Jessica Wilson
Writer and environmental consultant supporting learning and justice through facilitation and storytelling.
Therese Boulle
Community developer and climate adaptation expert with 30+ years of service in public health.
Kamogelo Maema
Operations lead, technical events producer and facilitates effective team interactions.
Dates
2026 gathering dates
Dates
25 October 2026 – 31 October 2026
Arrival
24 October or 25 October 2026
We suggest participants arrive the day before on 24 October, or on the morning of 25 October.
Departure
31 October 2026
Departure will be after breakfast, from 11:00.
Fees
Fees
Individual feeR15 000
Corporate feeR22 250
Student feeR8 000
A few things to note
- Early bird discount: 15% off total fees for payments made in full by 31 July 2026.
- Registration fee: A non-refundable registration fee of R2,500 is required to secure your place. This amount forms part of the total gathering fee.
- VAT: All fees are VAT-inclusive.
- Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available. To be considered, please submit a short motivation to kamogelo@dstlry.com.
Information Session
Want to hear more before registering?
Join us for a conversation about this year’s gathering, reflections from last year, what to expect in October, the costs involved, and the experience we hope to create together in Hogsback.
Watch the Information SessionRegistration
Complete the registration form to secure your place for The Hogsback Gathering 2026.
Register for the Gathering
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful things to know before coming
Who is this gathering for?
The gathering is intended for practitioners, learners, leaders, facilitators and anyone drawn to a reflective, relational and experiential learning space.
What should I bring?
Participants should expect to bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, a journal and anything else that supports comfort in a mountain setting.
Does the fee cover transport and accommodation?
No. Participants are responsible for covering their own transport and accommodation costs.
Where can I stay in Hogsback?
There are a number of accommodation options in and around Hogsback. We recommend exploring available accommodation through Booking.com or the Visit Hogsback accommodation directory. Participants may also consider Daaragter. Each participant will need to make their own booking arrangements, but may liaise with Kamogelo for assistance. We encourage participants to book as early as possible, as accommodation in Hogsback can fill up quickly.
What meals are included?
Morning tea snacks and lunch are included in the fee. Dinner is also covered, but will not take place every night; further communication will be shared closer to the gathering to indicate which evenings will include a shared meal.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
We understand that plans can change, and we aim to approach cancellations in a way that is both fair and relational, while also protecting the financial commitments involved in hosting the gathering.
- The R2,500 registration fee is non-refundable and forms part of the total gathering fee.
- Before 31 August 2026: All payments made beyond the registration fee will be refunded.
- 1–30 September 2026: 50% of payments made beyond the registration fee will be refunded.
- From 1 October 2026: Refunds will only be considered if the participant’s space can be filled from the waiting list.
If you are no longer able to attend, you may also transfer your booking to another person, subject to approval by the organising team.