Incumbents at Luthuli House are Killing the ANC

Omry Makgoale writes on how factional battles inside the ANC are turning electoral incompetence into political self-destruction.

OMRY MAKGOALE

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5.10.2026

Political Killings Surge as South Africa Heads Towards Local Elections

STAFF WRITER -

5.10.2026

DA Delivers Warning about Unsafe Jo’burg Bridges

STAFF WRITER -

5.10.2026

Between Candour and Coercion — Why South Africa Will Not Bend to Washington’s Dictates

FIKILE MBALULA -

5.10.2026

Testing the Limits of South Africa’s Most Likely Future

DARYL SWANEPOEL -

5.10.2026

Brink Warns Tshwane Infrastructure Left Exposed

STAFF WRITER

- 5.10.2026

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 5.10.2026

Eskom Passes 500 Days Without Loadshedding

ECONOMICS DESK

- 5.10.2026

South Africa’s Enclave Scenario Holds but Downside Risk Rises

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 5.10.2026

This is Why the Diesel Price is So High

ECONOMICS DESK

- 5.10.2026

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

Broken by Design? How Johannesburg Turned Service Failure into a Growth Industry

How Johannesburg was broken.

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

Richard Tren writes on the view from Washington on the latest global developments.

PAULA SLIER

Elections are Not Won On Voting Day

JADE DAVENPORT

Johannesburg at 140: What Next for the City of Gold?

PIERNEEF

Modern Feminism’s Reciprocity Problem

DAVID ANSARA

The FMF’s Memorandum to the Americans

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa Has Fallen in Every Reading Since Early Last Year

How has the president's standing with voters changed since the GNU was formed? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC Is Losing the Voters Who Were Giving It Credit

Who has changed their mind about the ANC's performance in government? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa Has Fallen in Every Reading Since Early Last Year

How has the president's standing with voters changed since the GNU was formed? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC Is Losing the Voters Who Were Giving It Credit

Who has changed their mind about the ANC's performance in government? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa Has Fallen in Every Reading Since Early Last Year

How has the president's standing with voters changed since the GNU was formed? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC Is Losing the Voters Who Were Giving It Credit

Who has changed their mind about the ANC's performance in government? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa Has Fallen in Every Reading Since Early Last Year

How has the president's standing with voters changed since the GNU was formed? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC Is Losing the Voters Who Were Giving It Credit

Who has changed their mind about the ANC's performance in government? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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The Common Sense's Latest Scenarios: Reform Now Less Likely

THE COMMON SENSE

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5.10.2026

Investors Think South Africa Is Safe Again. November's Elections Could Prove Them Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.10.2026

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

How South Africa's Farm Murders Began and Why the ANC Stopped Fighting Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

Frans Cronje: Why the DA Could Be Right to Walk Out of the GNU

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.9.2026

The Common Sense's Latest Scenarios: Reform Now Less Likely

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.10.2026

Investors Think South Africa Is Safe Again. November's Elections Could Prove Them Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.10.2026

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

How South Africa's Farm Murders Began and Why the ANC Stopped Fighting Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

Frans Cronje: Why the DA Could Be Right to Walk Out of the GNU

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.9.2026

Thriving in SA’s enclaves

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This is What Families Must do to Survive a Future South Africa

The Common Sense’s guide to South Africa's enclave future.

FRANS CRONJE

-

2.10.2026

How To Thrive In South Africa's Enclave Future: (Members Special)

FRANS CRONJE

South Africans Are Doing It for Themselves

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Majority of South Africans Say Communities Are Taking Over Government’s Job

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Upsides for SA’s Middle Classes if They Do These Things

FRANS CRONJE

How To Thrive In South Africa's Enclave Future: (Members Special)

FRANS CRONJE

South Africans Are Doing It for Themselves

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Majority of South Africans Say Communities Are Taking Over Government’s Job

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Upsides for SA’s Middle Classes if They Do These Things

FRANS CRONJE

PLITICS

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Political Killings Surge as South Africa Heads Towards Local Elections

Political assassinations have shot past previous years' records with a month to go until the November elections.

STAFF WRITER

DA Delivers Warning about Unsafe Jo’burg Bridges

STAFF WRITER

Brink Warns Tshwane Infrastructure Left Exposed

STAFF WRITER

Three Strikes and You’re Out as Far as We Were Concerned, US Tells SA

NEWS DESK

Eskom Drops Solar Registration Fees — But Dispute Over Compulsory Registration Remains

STAFF WRITER

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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.

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

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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

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

US Expert Warns Targeted Financial Sanctions Could Follow US Visa Restrictions

Joshua Meservey, a senior analyst at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC, has told The Common Sense that targeted financial sanctions could follow visa restrictions unless Pretoria addresses Washington’s concerns.

POLITICS DESK

MTN’s Iran Quagmire Deepens

ECON DESK

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

When Trouble in Mozambique Crosses the Border

PAULA SLIER

Hard Right, Hard Left Each Win State Election in Germany

STAFF WRITER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Mbeki’s Counter-Revolution Theory, Myburgh in Washington, and the 10 Million SA Left in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.10.2026

Joshua Meservey: The US Has Run Out Of Patience With SA. Visa Bans Are Only Step One

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.10.2026

Wandile Sihlobo: SA Food Inflation Is At A 16-Year Low. El Niño Could End That In 2027

THE COMMON SENSE

-

30.9.2026

Princy Mthombeni Wants to Rewrite the South African Constitution

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

Mbeki’s Counter-Revolution Theory, Myburgh in Washington, and the 10 Million SA Left in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.10.2026

Joshua Meservey: The US Has Run Out Of Patience With SA. Visa Bans Are Only Step One

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.10.2026

Wandile Sihlobo: SA Food Inflation Is At A 16-Year Low. El Niño Could End That In 2027

THE COMMON SENSE

-

30.9.2026

Princy Mthombeni Wants to Rewrite the South African Constitution

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

ECNOMICS

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Eskom Passes 500 Days Without Loadshedding

The power utility reports its best plant performance in six years and a sharp fall in diesel spending.

ECONOMICS DESK

This is Why the Diesel Price is So High

ECONOMICS DESK

The Economics of Top-End Stripping in South Africa

STAFF WRITER

Home Affairs Joins the 21st Century

STAFF WRITER

SA Set for Record Diesel and Petrol Prices Next Wednesday

STAFF WRITER

LFE

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Under the influence of progressive, or woke, ideology women have been taught to see marriage and motherhood as threats to independence, and as a consequence, Western women are marrying later, having fewer children, and increasingly rejecting motherhood altogether. Many only realise the costs of those mistakes once they are too late to reverse.

CULTURE CORRESPONDENT

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Is Your TV Spying on You?

Stick to the Bible at Mass

SPRTS

South Africa to Open 2027 Cricket World Cup Against New Zealand

The Proteas will begin their 2027 Cricket World Cup campaign against New Zealand as South Africa prepares to co-host the tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

SPORTS DESK