Can the DA Beat the ANC and Win the 2029 Election?

The Democratic Alliance’s new leader says victory is within reach, but only one of the two steps necessary for that to occur has been completed.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

14.4.2026

Most South Africans Don’t Care About the Race of the President

POLLING CORRESPONDENT -

14.4.2026

Musk Tells SA Government to Stop Being “Racist Assholes”

WARWICK GREY -

14.4.2026

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

- 13.4.2026

Hill-Lewis Elected DA Leader, Puts Law and Order at Centre of Agenda

POLITICS DESK

- 13.4.2026

Hungary Turns the Page as Orbán Era Ends in Landmark Election

NEWS DESK

- 13.4.2026

Makin Sense Of Iran Hysteria, South Africa's Greatest Investor, Cadre Deployment, and The Space Race

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 13.4.2026

DA Minister Drops the Ball on Education

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 13.4.2026

RW JOHNSON

The Reparations for Slavery Debate

RW Johnson writes on the calls for reparations for slavery and how these calls focus only on slavery by Europeans.

SIMON LINCOLN READER

The Meaning of Natie Kirsh as an Antidote to the Chaos of Current Politics

Simon Lincoln Reader writes on Natie Kirsh’s success and what it tells you about modern politics.

RICHARD TREN

What Could a Non-Racial BEE Policy Look Like?

DAVID ANSARA

Decision Time for the Democratic Alliance

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

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Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.4.2026

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.4.2026

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.4.2026

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.4.2026

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

10.4.2026

Iran Blinks First - Agrees to Open Hormuz

FOREIGN DESK

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

NEWS DESK

Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

FOREIGN DESK

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

WARWICK GREY

Iran Blinks First - Agrees to Open Hormuz

FOREIGN DESK

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

NEWS DESK

Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

FOREIGN DESK

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

WARWICK GREY

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Most South Africans Don’t Care About the Race of the President

New polling shows that people want the best person for the job, with no concern for the race of the president.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Hill-Lewis Elected DA Leader, Puts Law and Order at Centre of Agenda

POLITICS DESK

Hungary Turns the Page as Orbán Era Ends in Landmark Election

NEWS DESK

Inequality “Emergency” Narrative Misdiagnoses the Real Problem, Economist Argues

ECON DESK

Hill-Lewis Takes the DA Helm – Now Comes the Hard Part

POLITICS DESK

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GLBAL

VIEW ALL

The New Space Race

Frans Cronje explains why Artemis II signals the start of a new geopolitical space race, as global powers compete to control five critical chokepoints in near-Earth space.

FRANS CRONJE

Hungary Turns the Page as Orbán Era Ends in Landmark Election

NEWS DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Why the First Power to Secure Near Space Will Shape the Century

WARWICK GREY

Consequential Election in Hungary Tomorrow

MARIUS ROODT

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Makin Sense Of Iran Hysteria, South Africa's Greatest Investor, Cadre Deployment, and The Space Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.4.2026

The Future Of The ANC - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.4.2026

Makin Sense Of The DA Congress, Solving SA's Crime Problem, The BBC and Free Speech

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.4.2026

Running To Be The DA's Deputy Federal Chairperson - Nicholas Nyati

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.4.2026

Makin Sense Of Iran Hysteria, South Africa's Greatest Investor, Cadre Deployment, and The Space Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.4.2026

The Future Of The ANC - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.4.2026

Makin Sense Of The DA Congress, Solving SA's Crime Problem, The BBC and Free Speech

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.4.2026

Running To Be The DA's Deputy Federal Chairperson - Nicholas Nyati

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.4.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Musk Tells SA Government to Stop Being “Racist Assholes”

The South African government has found itself in an absurd social media dispute with Elon Musk about its refusal to grant an operating license to Starlink – but in their delight at mocking the South African-born entrepreneur, the government further undermines its prospects of securing an investment-driven economic recovery.

WARWICK GREY

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

Inequality “Emergency” Narrative Misdiagnoses the Real Problem, Economist Argues

ECON DESK

Why the First Power to Secure Near Space Will Shape the Century

WARWICK GREY

BEE Overhaul Risks Narrowing Inclusion and Stifling Growth

NEWS DESK

LFE

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

Much of the solar system is horribly uninhabitable for humans.

RW JOHNSON

Can the DA Beat the ANC and Win the 2029 Election?

Most South Africans Don’t Care About the Race of the President

The Common Sense’s Diary

Musk Tells SA Government to Stop Being “Racist Assholes”

The New Space Race

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

Hill-Lewis Elected DA Leader, Puts Law and Order at Centre of Agenda

Hungary Turns the Page as Orbán Era Ends in Landmark Election

Makin Sense Of Iran Hysteria, South Africa's Greatest Investor, Cadre Deployment, and The Space Race

DA Minister Drops the Ball on Education

The Reparations for Slavery Debate

The Meaning of Natie Kirsh as an Antidote to the Chaos of Current Politics

Dispatch from Washington

What Could a Non-Racial BEE Policy Look Like?

Decision Time for the Democratic Alliance

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

SHRTS

PLLING

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

VIDES

The New Space Race

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

Is The Iran War A Disaster?

Does The DA Need A Shakeup?

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

The New Space Race

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

Is The Iran War A Disaster?

Does The DA Need A Shakeup?

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

Iran Blinks First - Agrees to Open Hormuz

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

Iran Blinks First - Agrees to Open Hormuz

How the US Pulled a Downed Airman Out of Iran

Why Iran War is Not At This Stage The Global Catastrophe It Is Being Made Out To Be

The Strait of Hormuz is Not Open Until Insurers Say It is

PLITICS

Most South Africans Don’t Care About the Race of the President

Hill-Lewis Elected DA Leader, Puts Law and Order at Centre of Agenda

Hungary Turns the Page as Orbán Era Ends in Landmark Election

Inequality “Emergency” Narrative Misdiagnoses the Real Problem, Economist Argues