The Battle for the Cities

RW Johnson writes on the destruction of South Africa’s cities under ANC rule.

RW JOHNSON

-

7.6.2026

What Foreign Investors are Being Told About South Africa’s Next Two Years

FRANS CRONJE -

7.6.2026

SA Goes Full Stalingrad at the ICJ

BENJI SHULMAN

- 6.6.2026

The Five Ds and the Duty to Protect

GIDEON JOUBERT

- 6.6.2026

The Law of the Instrument: Why a Politician’s Past Predicts His Country’s Future

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 6.6.2026

Qatar: Silent Bidder for Western Politics and Public Opinion

MAHAN

- 6.6.2026

Zelenskyy Calls for Ceasefire in Rare Open Letter to Putin

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

- 5.6.2026

WARWICK GREY

Dying Alone, Humiliated and Handcuffed

Warwick Grey writes on how an innocent 18-year-old ended up laying bleeding to death on a Southampton street, handcuffed by the police, while the man who had just stabbed him stood free and unchallenged nearby.

MUKUNDI BUDELI

Good Intentions, Unexamined Consequences: South Africa’s Cigarette Plain Packaging Gamble

Mukundi Budeli writes on the latest proposed tobacco laws.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The DA Takes You for a Fool – And That is Very Dangerous for the Country

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

South Africa’s Parole System and What is Being Done to Fix It

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary - What the DA and FF+ Have Got Wrong

MARTIN VAN STADEN

Van der Rheede’s Puzzling Formalism Over (Scare-Quoted) “Race Law”

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

YouGov polling conducted in late April 2026 asked adults in Great Britain whether they think defence spending should be increased, decreased, or remain at about its current level.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

Social Research Foundation polling shows deep pessimism about South Africa’s direction among black respondents and ANC supporters in eThekwini, Johannesburg, and Tshwane.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

SA Split on Race of President

Social Research Foundation polling found that voters are split on whether a governing party must have a black leader to succeed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

A survey by the Institute of Race Relations found that 92% of South Africans believe national sports teams should be selected on merit rather than race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Polling suggests South Africans have confidence in the GNU, with 49% saying it is working well, including 50% of ANC voters and 56% of DA voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

Stats SA data shows that half of South Africa’s youth are outside the labour force entirely, while only 27% of those aged 15 to 34 are employed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

YouGov polling conducted in late April 2026 asked adults in Great Britain whether they think defence spending should be increased, decreased, or remain at about its current level.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

Social Research Foundation polling shows deep pessimism about South Africa’s direction among black respondents and ANC supporters in eThekwini, Johannesburg, and Tshwane.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

SA Split on Race of President

Social Research Foundation polling found that voters are split on whether a governing party must have a black leader to succeed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

A survey by the Institute of Race Relations found that 92% of South Africans believe national sports teams should be selected on merit rather than race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Polling suggests South Africans have confidence in the GNU, with 49% saying it is working well, including 50% of ANC voters and 56% of DA voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

Stats SA data shows that half of South Africa’s youth are outside the labour force entirely, while only 27% of those aged 15 to 34 are employed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

YouGov polling conducted in late April 2026 asked adults in Great Britain whether they think defence spending should be increased, decreased, or remain at about its current level.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

Social Research Foundation polling shows deep pessimism about South Africa’s direction among black respondents and ANC supporters in eThekwini, Johannesburg, and Tshwane.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

SA Split on Race of President

Social Research Foundation polling found that voters are split on whether a governing party must have a black leader to succeed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

A survey by the Institute of Race Relations found that 92% of South Africans believe national sports teams should be selected on merit rather than race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Polling suggests South Africans have confidence in the GNU, with 49% saying it is working well, including 50% of ANC voters and 56% of DA voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

Stats SA data shows that half of South Africa’s youth are outside the labour force entirely, while only 27% of those aged 15 to 34 are employed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

The Economist/YouGov polling conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked US adults whether they think the construction of new data centers — large facilities housing computer servers for storing and transmitting data — are good or bad for the country. Respondents could say very good, somewhat good, neither good nor bad, somewhat bad, very bad, or don’t know.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

The Economist/YouGov poll conducted from May 29 to June 1, 2026 asked U.S. adults whether they approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation in Iran.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

YouGov polling conducted in late April 2026 asked adults in Great Britain whether they think defence spending should be increased, decreased, or remain at about its current level.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

Social Research Foundation polling shows deep pessimism about South Africa’s direction among black respondents and ANC supporters in eThekwini, Johannesburg, and Tshwane.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

SA Split on Race of President

Social Research Foundation polling found that voters are split on whether a governing party must have a black leader to succeed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

A survey by the Institute of Race Relations found that 92% of South Africans believe national sports teams should be selected on merit rather than race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Polling suggests South Africans have confidence in the GNU, with 49% saying it is working well, including 50% of ANC voters and 56% of DA voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

Stats SA data shows that half of South Africa’s youth are outside the labour force entirely, while only 27% of those aged 15 to 34 are employed.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

Ramaphosa's Delusional Defense Of BEE

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

Ramaphosa's Delusional Defense Of BEE

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

Ramaphosa On the Brink

What Is in the Section 89 Report? The Damning Case Against Ramaphosa on Phala Phala

The Common Sense lays out the devastating charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

NEWS DESK

-

2.6.2026

Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana to Chair Ramaphosa Impeachment Committee

NEWS DESK

The ANC Succession Tells a Story

RW JOHNSON

Ramaphosa Must Testify Before Parliament

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

JAMES MYBURGH

Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana to Chair Ramaphosa Impeachment Committee

NEWS DESK

The ANC Succession Tells a Story

RW JOHNSON

Ramaphosa Must Testify Before Parliament

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

JAMES MYBURGH

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

The Law of the Instrument: Why a Politician’s Past Predicts His Country’s Future

Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy? The backgrounds of political leaders are very good predictors of their behaviour and strategy in office.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

DA’s Cape Town Fortress Likely to Remain Unbreached in November

MARIUS ROODT

Risk of Kidnapping Rises Fivefold in Johannesburg Over Past Decade

STAFF WRITER

Your Bias Is Showing!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

DA Calls for IEC Probe into Alleged ANC-Russian Electoral Interference

STAFF WRITER

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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

-

3.6.2026

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

Iran War Risks Overstated from Day One

STAFF WRITER

This Is How The Iran War Ends

FRANS CRONJE

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

Iran War Risks Overstated from Day One

STAFF WRITER

This Is How The Iran War Ends

FRANS CRONJE

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Qatar: Silent Bidder for Western Politics and Public Opinion

Qatar has leveraged its wealth to gain political and social influence in the West. This article examines its strategies and implications.

MAHAN

Zelenskyy Calls for Ceasefire in Rare Open Letter to Putin

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

Trump’s X Machine

WARWICK GREY

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Considers Balance of Forces in Genocide Case Extension Request

NEWS DESK

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Frans Cronje: Is South Africa Heading For Riots This Winter? (Here's The Data)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.6.2026

South Africa's Free Speech Crisis: Why the Law Protects Some, Not Others: Advocate Mark Oppenheimer

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.6.2026

Saving South Africa's Schools - Rob Katzen

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.6.2026

Talking Sense About Phala Phala, Steenhuisen In Court, AI Data Centres, And Andy Burnham

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.6.2026

Frans Cronje: Is South Africa Heading For Riots This Winter? (Here's The Data)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.6.2026

South Africa's Free Speech Crisis: Why the Law Protects Some, Not Others: Advocate Mark Oppenheimer

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.6.2026

Saving South Africa's Schools - Rob Katzen

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.6.2026

Talking Sense About Phala Phala, Steenhuisen In Court, AI Data Centres, And Andy Burnham

THE COMMON SENSE

-

1.6.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Chinese Communist Party to Extend State Control to Private Investors

New rules extend state oversight of overseas investment to private individuals for the first time, in a shift that reflects Beijing's concerns at home as much as its ambitions abroad.

WARWICK GREY

This Is Why American Markets Have Done So Well This Year

ECONOMICS DESK

Morocco Overtakes South Africa as Most Industrialised African Economy

STAFF WRITER

Stay the Course of Reform, Says BLSA CEO

ECONOMICS DESK

Good News (and Some Bad News) For the Economy – Stats SA

ECON DESK

LFE

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

Much of the solar system is horribly uninhabitable for humans.

RW JOHNSON

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

On to Mars

Fly Me to the Moon

SPRTS

Who is the Man Taking Bafana Bafana to the World Cup?

Hugo Broos has had an illustrious career, and now he takes Bafana to their first World Cup in nearly 20 years.

STAFF WRITER

The Battle for the Cities

Dispatch from Washington

Set Jo’burg free

What Foreign Investors are Being Told About South Africa’s Next Two Years

What Game is the DA Playing?

SA Goes Full Stalingrad at the ICJ

The Five Ds and the Duty to Protect

The Law of the Instrument: Why a Politician’s Past Predicts His Country’s Future

Qatar: Silent Bidder for Western Politics and Public Opinion

Zelenskyy Calls for Ceasefire in Rare Open Letter to Putin

Dying Alone, Humiliated and Handcuffed

Good Intentions, Unexamined Consequences: South Africa’s Cigarette Plain Packaging Gamble

The DA Takes You for a Fool – And That is Very Dangerous for the Country

South Africa’s Parole System and What is Being Done to Fix It

The Common Sense’s Diary - What the DA and FF+ Have Got Wrong

Van der Rheede’s Puzzling Formalism Over (Scare-Quoted) “Race Law”

SHRTS

PLLING

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

SA Split on Race of President

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

SA Split on Race of President

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

SA Split on Race of President

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

Americans Divided On New Data Centers

Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s Handling Of Iran

Majority Of Britons Want Defence Spending Increased

Metro Voters Say SA is Going the Wrong Way

SA Split on Race of President

South Africans Overwhelmingly Support Merit

South Africans Think The GNU is Working Well

Half of SA’s Youth Are Outside the Labour Force

VIDES

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

This Is How The Iran War Ends

Ramaphosa's Delusional Defense Of BEE

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

This Is How The Iran War Ends

Ramaphosa's Delusional Defense Of BEE

Ramaphosa On the Brink

What Is in the Section 89 Report? The Damning Case Against Ramaphosa on Phala Phala

Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana to Chair Ramaphosa Impeachment Committee

The ANC Succession Tells a Story

Ramaphosa Must Testify Before Parliament

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana to Chair Ramaphosa Impeachment Committee

The ANC Succession Tells a Story

Ramaphosa Must Testify Before Parliament

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

PLITICS

The Law of the Instrument: Why a Politician’s Past Predicts His Country’s Future

DA’s Cape Town Fortress Likely to Remain Unbreached in November

Risk of Kidnapping Rises Fivefold in Johannesburg Over Past Decade

Your Bias Is Showing!