The ANC’s Misplaced Urgency

The ANC is urgently approaching the courts to get the candidates it forgot to register for November on the ballot, when getting the vote share up will be better helped by scrapping the policies that crushed party support.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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9.9.2026

The 0.9% Growth Number Shows That South Africans Are Getting Poorer

BHEKI MAHLOBO -

9.9.2026

The DA is on the Cusp of a Breakthrough Among Black Voters in Johannesburg. Will That Give Zille a Majority?

POLITICS DESK -

9.9.2026

The Government is Running Out of Taxpayers

ECON DESK -

9.9.2026

A Severe Drought is Coming for South Africa

CONVERSATIONS WITH GABRIEL -

9.9.2026

We Cannot Fix South Africa’s Municipalities Without Fixing South Africa

TERENCE CORRIGAN

- 8.9.2026

FF+ Challenges Amazon Race Requirements

STAFF WRITER

- 8.9.2026

Rooigrond Inmate Escapes While Facing Charge for Previous Breakout

NEWS DESK

- 8.9.2026

SANDF Gets New Surgeon General

STAFF WRITER

- 8.9.2026

SA’s Growth Is Far Too Slow to Dent Unemployment

STAFF WRITER

- 8.9.2026

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

The Great Campus Circus: How the ANC Turned Universities into Luxury Welfare Resorts and Promoted a Displaced Culture of Entitlement

Ivor Blumenthal writes on the problems with NSFAS and student funding in South Africa.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Motsepe Remains in the Race and There is a Plan for Him to Succeed Ramaphosa

People with knowledge of events have told The Common Sense that Patrice Motsepe remains a candidate for the leadership of the ANC, although it is thought wise for him to steer clear of any formal association with the party, given the electoral disaster facing it in November.

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

PAULA SLIER

How Long Can You Choose Not to Choose?

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

No Sunshine if Ukraine Falls

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Stick to the Bible at Mass

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

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The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Want Illegal Immigrants Gone, But Blame the ANC for the Problem

We asked voters what they really think about foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White Voters Are Twice as Likely as Black Voters to Follow Politics Closely

We asked voters how closely they follow government and current affairs, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Young Voters Have Barely Thought About November

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

MKP Voters Are the Least Focused on November of the Major Parties

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Even ANC Voters Blame ANC Policy for Anger at Immigrants

We asked voters whether the real problem is the ANC's economic record rather than immigrants themselves, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Suburban Voters Are the Most Negative About Life Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Want Illegal Immigrants Gone, But Blame the ANC for the Problem

We asked voters what they really think about foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White Voters Are Twice as Likely as Black Voters to Follow Politics Closely

We asked voters how closely they follow government and current affairs, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Young Voters Have Barely Thought About November

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

MKP Voters Are the Least Focused on November of the Major Parties

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Even ANC Voters Blame ANC Policy for Anger at Immigrants

We asked voters whether the real problem is the ANC's economic record rather than immigrants themselves, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Suburban Voters Are the Most Negative About Life Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Want Illegal Immigrants Gone, But Blame the ANC for the Problem

We asked voters what they really think about foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White Voters Are Twice as Likely as Black Voters to Follow Politics Closely

We asked voters how closely they follow government and current affairs, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Young Voters Have Barely Thought About November

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

MKP Voters Are the Least Focused on November of the Major Parties

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Even ANC Voters Blame ANC Policy for Anger at Immigrants

We asked voters whether the real problem is the ANC's economic record rather than immigrants themselves, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Suburban Voters Are the Most Negative About Life Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Want Illegal Immigrants Gone, But Blame the ANC for the Problem

We asked voters what they really think about foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White Voters Are Twice as Likely as Black Voters to Follow Politics Closely

We asked voters how closely they follow government and current affairs, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Young Voters Have Barely Thought About November

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

MKP Voters Are the Least Focused on November of the Major Parties

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Even ANC Voters Blame ANC Policy for Anger at Immigrants

We asked voters whether the real problem is the ANC's economic record rather than immigrants themselves, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Suburban Voters Are the Most Negative About Life Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

The DA Declared R104m in Donations. The ANC, MKP, and EFF: R0

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.9.2026

Motsepe, Enclaves, and The Future of South Africa (Answering Your Questions)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.9.2026

Why Are South Africa's Murders Suddenly Falling?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.9.2026

We Ran the Farm Murder Numbers Using The Police's Own Data

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

More Than 80% of ANC Supporters Want a Municipal Deal With the DA

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.9.2026

The DA Declared R104m in Donations. The ANC, MKP, and EFF: R0

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.9.2026

Motsepe, Enclaves, and The Future of South Africa (Answering Your Questions)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.9.2026

Why Are South Africa's Murders Suddenly Falling?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.9.2026

We Ran the Farm Murder Numbers Using The Police's Own Data

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

More Than 80% of ANC Supporters Want a Municipal Deal With the DA

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.9.2026

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

Special Report: Election 2026 — The Latest Polling

The latest polling from the SRF and The Common Sense reveals where South Africans stand ahead of the November 2026 local elections, from party support and presidential succession to the GNU, immigration, corruption, and expropriation.

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

15.8.2026

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

POLITICS DESK

Is the “Third Force” Back – And Driving Political Change in South Africa?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

STAFF WRITER

What the ANC’s Terminal Decline Means for the Future of South Africa

FRANS CRONJE

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

POLITICS DESK

Is the “Third Force” Back – And Driving Political Change in South Africa?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

STAFF WRITER

What the ANC’s Terminal Decline Means for the Future of South Africa

FRANS CRONJE

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

The DA is on the Cusp of a Breakthrough Among Black Voters in Johannesburg. Will That Give Zille a Majority?

Data show that the DA, EFF, and ANC are neck-and-neck among black voters in Johannesburg, two months before the local government elections in that city.

POLITICS DESK

FF+ Challenges Amazon Race Requirements

STAFF WRITER

SANDF Gets New Surgeon General

STAFF WRITER

Give Your Money to Cuba, Soldiers Told

FOREIGN DESK

Senior Steenhuisen-Era Official Suspended Amid FMD Vaccine Pricing Allegations

NEWS DESK

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The Common Sense

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The Common Sense

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Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

By clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Scenarios: SA in 2034

South Africa in 2034: The Latest Scenarios

Advisory firm Frans Cronje Private Clients, in conjunction with The Common Sense, sketches three political scenarios for South Africa between today and 2034 each of which delivers a very different set of economic outcomes.

FRANS CRONJE AND BHEKI MAHLOBO

-

31.7.2026

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Far-Right AfD Nearly Wins German State Outright

Anti-migration insurgent party AfD nearly wins Saxony-Anhalt with 50%, a result that will start making many in Europe nervous.

FOREIGN DESK

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

How Long Can You Choose Not to Choose?

PAULA SLIER

No Sunshine if Ukraine Falls

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

The Invisible Front: Ideological Subversion and the Erosion of Western (and South African?) Competitiveness

MAHAN

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

A Severe Drought is Coming for South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.9.2026

Milei's Argentina, the US Bond Spike, SA's Strange Crime Stats, and Nike Going Woke

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

South Africa's $1 Billion Neighbour

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.9.2026

Mark Burke Is a Hero | Ukraine's Deadlock | The NDP 14 Years On | ANC Mayors | Ann Bernstein on Jhb

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.8.2026

A Severe Drought is Coming for South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.9.2026

Milei's Argentina, the US Bond Spike, SA's Strange Crime Stats, and Nike Going Woke

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

South Africa's $1 Billion Neighbour

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.9.2026

Mark Burke Is a Hero | Ukraine's Deadlock | The NDP 14 Years On | ANC Mayors | Ann Bernstein on Jhb

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.8.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

The 0.9% Growth Number Shows That South Africans Are Getting Poorer

South Africa’s 0.9% economic growth number is lower than its rate of population growth, meaning that on a per capita basis, the country is getting poorer.

BHEKI MAHLOBO

The Government is Running Out of Taxpayers

ECON DESK

SA’s Growth Is Far Too Slow to Dent Unemployment

STAFF WRITER

Bought a Flat in Jo’burg or Ekurhuleni in 2020? You've Made No Money in Six Years

ECON DESK

Challenging Season Awaits South African Agriculture

WANDILE SIHLOBO

LFE

Stick to the Bible at Mass

Most clergy would be well advised to limit themselves to the bible at mass.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Stick to the Bible at Mass

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

The First Aeroplane Flight in South Africa Took Place in This South African City

SPRTS

Who Are the Boks?

To appreciate who the Springboks are, it helps to look back in time to who they were. A recent book by David McLennan, The Watershed Tour, does just that with a fascinating exploration of the 1949 All Blacks tour to southern Africa.

IAN MACLEOD