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.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

7.9.2026

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

IVOR BLUMENTHAL -

7.9.2026

How Johannesburg Could be Broken up to be Saved

POLITICS DESK -

7.9.2026

In the End, Even Cyril Ramaphosa’s Grand Plan to Hold the ANC Together Failed

POLITICS DESK -

7.9.2026

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

FRANS CRONJE

-

7.9.2026

No Sunshine if Ukraine Falls

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

- 6.9.2026

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

- 6.9.2026

How Long Can You Choose Not to Choose?

PAULA SLIER

- 6.9.2026

Stick to the Bible at Mass

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 6.9.2026

Why Are South Africa's Murders Suddenly Falling?

JAMES MYBURGH

- 6.9.2026

MAHAN

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

Why did the West adopt a set of suicidal economic and cultural ideas and force these into a set of self-destructive policies – and why did South Africa follow their example and not stick to the scripts of China, Russia, and India?

DAVID ANSARA

The Minimum Wage Harms the Poor

David Ansara writes on how South Africa's minimum wage is a barrier to employment.

JACO KLEYNHANS

SA's Failed Foreign Policy and the Increased Risks it Poses

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Only Countries in Decline Don’t Take Risks

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

What to Do With 100 Hung Councils

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The ANC and Big Business Brought This On Themselves

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

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

Township Residents Are Twice as Likely as Suburbanites to Back Forcing Immigrants Out

We asked voters about foreign immigrants and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Say South Africa Would Be Worse Off Without White South Africans

We asked voters what would happen to the country if every white South African left, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC's Standing With Voters Has Collapsed Since March

We asked voters how they feel about South Africa's largest parties, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Now Rate the ANC's GNU Performance More Poorly Than Well

We asked voters how the ANC is handling its role in the Government of National Unity, 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

Township Residents Are Twice as Likely as Suburbanites to Back Forcing Immigrants Out

We asked voters about foreign immigrants and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Say South Africa Would Be Worse Off Without White South Africans

We asked voters what would happen to the country if every white South African left, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC's Standing With Voters Has Collapsed Since March

We asked voters how they feel about South Africa's largest parties, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Now Rate the ANC's GNU Performance More Poorly Than Well

We asked voters how the ANC is handling its role in the Government of National Unity, 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

Township Residents Are Twice as Likely as Suburbanites to Back Forcing Immigrants Out

We asked voters about foreign immigrants and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Say South Africa Would Be Worse Off Without White South Africans

We asked voters what would happen to the country if every white South African left, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC's Standing With Voters Has Collapsed Since March

We asked voters how they feel about South Africa's largest parties, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Now Rate the ANC's GNU Performance More Poorly Than Well

We asked voters how the ANC is handling its role in the Government of National Unity, 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

Township Residents Are Twice as Likely as Suburbanites to Back Forcing Immigrants Out

We asked voters about foreign immigrants and looked at where they live, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Say South Africa Would Be Worse Off Without White South Africans

We asked voters what would happen to the country if every white South African left, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The ANC's Standing With Voters Has Collapsed Since March

We asked voters how they feel about South Africa's largest parties, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Now Rate the ANC's GNU Performance More Poorly Than Well

We asked voters how the ANC is handling its role in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

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

South Africa's White Population Is Disappearing

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.9.2026

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

South Africa's White Population Is Disappearing

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.9.2026

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

How Johannesburg Could be Broken up to be Saved

Imagine your community had its own mayor, answerable only to your, and neighbouring, neighbourhoods, and to people who therefore shared your interests, and who would throw the mayor out if he or she proved useless.

POLITICS DESK

In the End, Even Cyril Ramaphosa’s Grand Plan to Hold the ANC Together Failed

POLITICS DESK

SA's Failed Foreign Policy and the Increased Risks it Poses

JACO KLEYNHANS

Could Motsepe Restore South Africa's Confidence in the GNU?

POLITICS DESK

Crime Reporting Rates Fall as Trust in the Police is Lost

STAFF WRITER

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Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

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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

Dispatch from Washington

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

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

South Africa Doubles Down on Anti-US and Anti-Israel Policy as Botswana Moves Closer to Washington

STAFF WRITER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

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

Mlondi Mdluli – Inside SA’s New Political Reality

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.8.2026

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

Mlondi Mdluli – Inside SA’s New Political Reality

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.8.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

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.

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

The Minimum Wage Harms the Poor

DAVID ANSARA

Punishing the Poor: How South Africa’s Low Growth Rate Crushed the Poor (and the ANC)

ECON DESK

The Impossible Economics of Domestic Work

REINE OPPERMAN

What's Driving the US Yield Spike – And the Bessent-Warsh Standoff Behind That

BHEKI MAHLOBO

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