The Power of Collaboration
What Our Clients Say About Us
Our History +
Gravitas + Partners is the evolution of Gravitas Communications, founded in 2019 by veteran communicators Trevor Neethling, Nomathemba Malinga, and Lance Claasen. The firm was born from the seamless collaboration of their independent consultancies – driven by a shared vision and deep expertise in media, corporate affairs, and high-stakes reputation management.
While Malinga and Claasen have since moved on to pursue new ventures, the founding ethos of collaboration and strategic partnership continues to define us. Today, Gravitas + Partners brings together the best minds in public relations—tailored teams of top consultants—to deliver bold, ethical, and effective communication solutions.
We remain anchored in integrity, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to truth – because we believe trust is your most valuable asset.
Our Vision +
To be a world-class public relations firm recognised for our expert crisis communication advisory, innovative, ethical, and results-driven campaigns that inform public opinion, inspire action, and create meaningful change for our clients and society.
Our 7 Pillars:
- Strategic Influence
- Ethical Leadership
- Innovation and Creativity
- Cultural Relevance
- Collaboration + Partnership
- Sustainability and Impact
- Global Perspective with Local Expertise
Trevor Neethling: Managing Director
Neethling is the Founder and Principal of Gravitas + Partners, South Africa’s premier ethical crisis communication and reputation advisory firm. Over the past two decades, he has earned a national reputation as one of the most effective and trusted voices in high-stakes media strategy, corporate reputation management, and executive communication coaching.
With more than 23 years of experience across media and strategic communications, Neethling’s counsel has shaped the public narrative during some of South Africa’s most defining corporate and political crises. He is known for his ability to distil chaos into clarity, and to guide top-level leaders through complex, high-pressure environments with truth, speed, and integrity.
Neethling began his career in journalism, where he held senior editorial roles at Business Day and City Press. He was part of the Business Day team covering the Marikana tragedy—one of South Africa’s most sensitive national stories. Under his leadership at City Press, his team earned the prestigious CNN Africa Journalist of the Year Award in 2012 for their investigative work on corruption in Limpopo province.
In 2013, Neethling pivoted from journalism to crisis communication consultancy, founding what would become Gravitas + Partners. He quickly became the go-to advisor for CEOs, boards, regulators, and mission-driven organisations navigating reputational threats and public scrutiny.
Neethling’s signature executive media training programme has become a benchmark in the industry — used by leaders in mining, industrial, government, energy, property, and advocacy organisations. His approach blends real-time simulations with high-stakes interview coaching, preparing leaders to stay calm, compelling, and credible when it matters most.
He has advised on issues from regulatory battles and public protests to boardroom disputes and hostile media investigations. His work covers the full spectrum of reputation and communication services: from risk audits and stakeholder alignment to post-crisis brand recovery and media strategy.
Neethling holds a BA (Hons) in Media Studies from Nelson Mandela University and has received advanced training from the Poynter Institute in the USA and the Commonwealth Press Union in the UK.
Our Expertise +
24/7 Crisis Communications & Media Management
When reputations are on the line, time is everything. Our 24/7 crisis communications support ensures you’re never alone in high-stakes moments. From real-time media response and message development to stakeholder communication and damage control, we help you navigate reputational threats with speed, strategy, and integrity – anytime, anywhere.
World-Class Executive Media & Spokesperson Training
We prepare leaders to face the media with clarity and confidence. Our training combines real-world scenarios with practical coaching to help executives deliver strong, credible messaging under pressure. Whether it’s a live interview, press briefing, or crisis moment, we turn spokespeople into trusted, media-savvy voices of the organisation.
Expert Strategic & Corporate Communication Support
We provide strategic counsel that aligns communication with your business goals. From message architecture and reputation positioning to thought leadership and stakeholder engagement, we guide organisations in building influence, navigating complexity, and communicating with purpose – internally and externally.
Our Clients +
We’ve earned the trust of CEOs, board members, public figures, and purpose-driven organisations – delivering communication support that meets the moment and moves the message.
“As the agency of record for Property Point, Gravitas + Partners has provided comprehensive public relations advisory and publicity support, ensuring that our organisation maintains a strong and credible presence in the media and among key stakeholders.”
Desigan Chetty COO, Property Point