South Africans Are Doing It for Themselves

The state is not going to fix the cities, so enclaves are, once again, the sure bet — and that is not only true for the rich.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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27.8.2026

Johannesburg Must Be Broken Up Before It Breaks Down

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

28.8.2026

South Africa’s Forensic Collapse: Rationed Justice for Some, None for Others

IAN CAMERON -

28.8.2026

A Tale of Two Precincts Shows South Africa’s Enclavisation

POLITICS DESK -

28.8.2026

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

THE TALKING SENSE PODCAST -

28.8.2026

Discussions Between AfriForum and March and March: Community Values the Centre Ground in South Africa

KALLIE KRIEL

- 27.8.2026

Jo’burg in Financial “Doom Loop”, Says Think-Tank Study

ECON DESK

- 27.8.2026

SA’s Three Biggest Cities Had Twice as Many Murders as the Entire EU

NEWS DESK

- 27.8.2026

Mlondi Mdluli – Inside SA’s New Political Reality

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 27.8.2026

Get Your Education or Go, ANC Tells Aspirant Councillors

STAFF WRITER

- 26.8.2026

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Western Activists say to South Africans: Not In YOUR Backyard!

Simon Lincoln Reader writes on how Western activists are preventing development in South Africa.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

Myburgh makes a big point, the ANC is playing for the lowest common denominator now, the DA must defend its people but does not have the ability, good on Habib, the ANC won’t take the easy road back, big business has betrayed the people, the left was right about monopoly capital, the thinking left and right could get together to do something about that.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

South Africans Will Continue to Enjoy Lower Food Prices This Year

MICHAEL KRANSDORFF

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Big Business and Government Are Complicit in Failing the People

TIAAN ESTERHUIZEN

The Power of Organised Enclaves

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Voters Dispute That Afrikaners Suffer More Than Anyone Else

We asked voters whether they accept America's reasoning for the Afrikaner refugee programme, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Back a DA Motion of No Confidence in Ramaphosa

We asked voters whether the DA should move to vote Cyril Ramaphosa out if he is found guilty, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Five Say Life Has Improved Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their own circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

We asked voters who they want to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

We asked voters whether the ANC should remove Cyril Ramaphosa if he is found guilty on Phala Phala, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Dispute That Afrikaners Suffer More Than Anyone Else

We asked voters whether they accept America's reasoning for the Afrikaner refugee programme, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Back a DA Motion of No Confidence in Ramaphosa

We asked voters whether the DA should move to vote Cyril Ramaphosa out if he is found guilty, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Five Say Life Has Improved Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their own circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

We asked voters who they want to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

We asked voters whether the ANC should remove Cyril Ramaphosa if he is found guilty on Phala Phala, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Dispute That Afrikaners Suffer More Than Anyone Else

We asked voters whether they accept America's reasoning for the Afrikaner refugee programme, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Back a DA Motion of No Confidence in Ramaphosa

We asked voters whether the DA should move to vote Cyril Ramaphosa out if he is found guilty, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Five Say Life Has Improved Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their own circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

We asked voters who they want to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

We asked voters whether the ANC should remove Cyril Ramaphosa if he is found guilty on Phala Phala, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Dispute That Afrikaners Suffer More Than Anyone Else

We asked voters whether they accept America's reasoning for the Afrikaner refugee programme, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations against Cyril Ramaphosa, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Back a DA Motion of No Confidence in Ramaphosa

We asked voters whether the DA should move to vote Cyril Ramaphosa out if he is found guilty, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Five Say Life Has Improved Under the GNU

We asked voters whether their own circumstances have improved since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

We asked voters who they want to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

We asked voters whether the ANC should remove Cyril Ramaphosa if he is found guilty on Phala Phala, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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The Constitutional Court Wrecked South Africa's Economy

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.8.2026

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.8.2026

DA Keeps Cape Town

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.8.2026

Is The Common Sense Too Soft on the ANC? Frans Cronje Answers the Critics

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.8.2026

Could MK Lead South Africa? The One Mistake That Sank the ANC and the EFF

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

The Constitutional Court Wrecked South Africa's Economy

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.8.2026

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.8.2026

DA Keeps Cape Town

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.8.2026

Is The Common Sense Too Soft on the ANC? Frans Cronje Answers the Critics

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.8.2026

Could MK Lead South Africa? The One Mistake That Sank the ANC and the EFF

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

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

A Tale of Two Precincts Shows South Africa’s Enclavisation

Driving 10km in Cape Town can take you from one world into another: in one, not a single murder was recorded over an entire year, in the other, the risk of being murdered is astonishingly high.

POLITICS DESK

Jo’burg in Financial “Doom Loop”, Says Think-Tank Study

ECON DESK

SA’s Three Biggest Cities Had Twice as Many Murders as the Entire EU

NEWS DESK

Get Your Education or Go, ANC Tells Aspirant Councillors

STAFF WRITER

DA Most Popular Party Among Women, ANC Among Men

POLITICS WRITER

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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

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China Now Builds The Robots That Build China – South Africa Should Pay Attention

China has taken a vast lead in the global robotics industry. This has implications for the great US-versus-China battle of the next two decades and presents an enormous opportunity for South Africa if its unity government could get its policy house in order.

WARWICK GREY