The Common Sense - Independent News & Analysis

Food Inflation Is the Lowest in Years (For Now)

Wandile Sihlobo tells Gabriel Makin about South Africa’s food price inflation trends and what could happen next year with food costs.

Gabriel Makin

- 25.8.2026

ANC Manifesto: “Give Us Another Chance, We’ll Get It Right This Time”

POLITICS DESK -

25.8.2026

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT -

25.8.2026

South Africans Will Continue to Enjoy Lower Food Prices This Year

WANDILE SIHLOBO -

25.8.2026

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

JAMES MYBURGH

- 25.8.2026

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

MICHAEL KRANSDORFF

- 24.8.2026

ANC Puts Off Mayoral Selection – Again

STAFF WRITER

- 24.8.2026

Big Business and Government Are Complicit in Failing the People

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 24.8.2026

A Fifth of Black South Africans Agree with US Refugee Policy

NEWS DESK

- 24.8.2026

SIMON LINCOLN READER

ConCourt Ruling Shows Woke Is Wounded, But Not Dead

Simon Lincoln Reader writes on how woke Westerners are hobbling South Africa’s development.

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

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

PAULA SLIER

Sudan Has a Villain. That Doesn't Mean It Has a Hero

DAVID SAKS

Exploring the Legacy of the “Boerejode”

OMRY MAKGOALE

MKP Exposes Decline of Democratic Values in South Africa

BENJI SHULMAN

The Other, Other GNU

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, 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 Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, 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

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, 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 Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, 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

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, 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 Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, 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

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, 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 Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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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

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

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

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

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

ANC Manifesto: “Give Us Another Chance, We’ll Get It Right This Time”

The party’s manifesto launch seems to promise more of the same, with an analysis from The Common Sense showing how the party has failed to fulfil its promises.

POLITICS DESK

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Puts Off Mayoral Selection – Again

STAFF WRITER

A Fifth of Black South Africans Agree with US Refugee Policy

NEWS DESK

MKP Exposes Decline of Democratic Values in South Africa

OMRY MAKGOALE

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Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

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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

Report Warns Afghan Christians Face Crimes Against Humanity and Risk of Genocide

One of Afghanistan’s last remaining non-Muslim groups faces extermination.

FOREIGN DESK

AI Drone Cowboys Could Transform South African Farming

NEWS DESK

Fire on the Point — Quis Nisi Nos?

GREG MILLS

Young Africans Like Trump Even Though They Do Not Trust Him

WARWICK GREY

The Chinese Are Keeping Dogs – Posing a New Threat to Beijing

FOREIGN DESK

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Food Inflation Is the Lowest in Years (For Now)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.8.2026

The ANC's Two Eras, The Water Bill, Shell, Jason Arday, SA's Verdict on US Companies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.8.2026

What Happens to Pretoria if the DA Wins Back Tshwane?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Every Chart That Decides South Africa's 2026 Election

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

Food Inflation Is the Lowest in Years (For Now)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.8.2026

The ANC's Two Eras, The Water Bill, Shell, Jason Arday, SA's Verdict on US Companies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.8.2026

What Happens to Pretoria if the DA Wins Back Tshwane?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Every Chart That Decides South Africa's 2026 Election

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

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

Enclavisation continues apace as a large majority of South Africans say they live in places where local communities are taking over the responsibilities of the government.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Will Continue to Enjoy Lower Food Prices This Year

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Big Business and Government Are Complicit in Failing the People

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Is This Why Cape Town is Overtaking Jo’burg?

ECON DESK

South Africa’s Rail Collapse Was the Taxi Industry's Gain

ECON DESK

LFE

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

Michael Kransdorff writes on the problems facing South Africans who have emigrated financially.

MICHAEL KRANSDORFF

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

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

Johannesburg's Air Quality Problem

SPRTS

The Comrades Marathon Goes It Alone

David Ansara writes on the decision by the Comrades Marathon Association to end its affiliation with provincial and national athletics bodies.

DAVID ANSARA

Food Inflation Is the Lowest in Years (For Now)

ANC Manifesto: “Give Us Another Chance, We’ll Get It Right This Time”

The Common Sense’s Diary

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

South Africans Will Continue to Enjoy Lower Food Prices This Year

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

ANC Puts Off Mayoral Selection – Again

Big Business and Government Are Complicit in Failing the People

A Fifth of Black South Africans Agree with US Refugee Policy

ConCourt Ruling Shows Woke Is Wounded, But Not Dead

Dispatch from Washington

Sudan Has a Villain. That Doesn't Mean It Has a Hero

Exploring the Legacy of the “Boerejode”

MKP Exposes Decline of Democratic Values in South Africa

The Other, Other GNU

SHRTS

PLLING

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

Motsepe Is the Clear Front-Runner to Lead the ANC

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

Eight in Ten Want Ramaphosa Gone if He Is Found Guilty

The DA Outperforms Its Coalition Partner in Voters' Eyes

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

VIDES

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

DA Keeps Cape Town

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

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

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

Did the ANC Ever Deliver?

DA Keeps Cape Town

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

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

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

Special Report: Election 2026 — The Latest Polling

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

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

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

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

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

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

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

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

PLITICS

ANC Manifesto: “Give Us Another Chance, We’ll Get It Right This Time”

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

ANC Puts Off Mayoral Selection – Again

A Fifth of Black South Africans Agree with US Refugee Policy