Constitutional Court Hands ANC Major Victory Ahead of Local Elections

The ANC has won its legal battle against the IEC, allowing 181 previously excluded candidates to contest November’s municipal elections.

STAFF WRITER

-

15.10.2026

British PM Rules Out Coalition with Greens Over Antisemitic Policy

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU -

15.10.2026

South Africa Better Prepared for Major Drought as El Niño Threat Grows

ECONOMICS DESK -

15.10.2026

Mlondi Mdluli: Township Businesses Don't Lack Ambition. Red Tape Is Locking Them Out

CONVERSATIONS WITH GABRIEL -

15.10.2026

Government Moves to Stop Illegal Occupation of 2 000 Hectares in Western Cape

POLITICS DESK -

15.10.2026

Military Cancels “Invalid” Cuban Contract

STAFF WRITER

- 15.10.2026

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 15.10.2026

South Africa Has the Ingredients for an Industrial Revival

JACO KLEYNHANS

- 15.10.2026

November Will Be Rough, But an Encouraging Future Lies Ahead

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 15.10.2026

South Africa Less Politically Polarised Than Most Other Countries

POLITICS DESK

- 15.10.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

Hand-wringing on JNZ, the elites dare blame the poor, the poor are more pragmatic, the elites must carry the can, they did a lot of the damage, perhaps most of it, now they deny that.

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

Richard Tren writes on Mamdani’s October 7 remarks, climate litigation, Marco Rubio’s ambitions, Trump’s tariffs, America’s mounting debt, and South Africa’s declining economic freedom.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

South Africa’s Race Relations Are Stronger Than Many Believe

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Uncertainty is High as the 2026-27 Summer Crop Season Starts

FRANS CRONJE

This is Why The Common Sense was Created: The Case for Optimism About South Africa and Its People

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

I Watched the Rot Begin in Local Government: A Johannesburg Councillor on the Price of No Consequence Management

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Like Groenewald Than Did Last Year, and No More Dislike Him

Pieter Groenewald leads the smallest party in the GNU and runs its prisons. How do voters rate him, and which way is it moving? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten ANC Voters Still Like Ramaphosa, Down From More Than Eight in Ten

Ramaphosa's standing with voters as a whole has fallen in every round. What about his own party's voters? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? 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

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Like Groenewald Than Did Last Year, and No More Dislike Him

Pieter Groenewald leads the smallest party in the GNU and runs its prisons. How do voters rate him, and which way is it moving? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten ANC Voters Still Like Ramaphosa, Down From More Than Eight in Ten

Ramaphosa's standing with voters as a whole has fallen in every round. What about his own party's voters? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? 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

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Like Groenewald Than Did Last Year, and No More Dislike Him

Pieter Groenewald leads the smallest party in the GNU and runs its prisons. How do voters rate him, and which way is it moving? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten ANC Voters Still Like Ramaphosa, Down From More Than Eight in Ten

Ramaphosa's standing with voters as a whole has fallen in every round. What about his own party's voters? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? 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

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Like Groenewald Than Did Last Year, and No More Dislike Him

Pieter Groenewald leads the smallest party in the GNU and runs its prisons. How do voters rate him, and which way is it moving? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten ANC Voters Still Like Ramaphosa, Down From More Than Eight in Ten

Ramaphosa's standing with voters as a whole has fallen in every round. What about his own party's voters? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? 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

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Bheki Mahlobo: South Africa’s Investment Rate Has Fallen. The Consequences Have Been Dire

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Wandile Sihlobo: The State Is Finally Handing Farmers the Title Deeds to Its Land

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

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

Bheki Mahlobo: South Africa’s Investment Rate Has Fallen. The Consequences Have Been Dire

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Wandile Sihlobo: The State Is Finally Handing Farmers the Title Deeds to Its Land

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

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

Commemorating October 7th

VIEW ALL

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

The Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Dr Warren Goldstein, explains to Gabriel Makin what the October 7 attacks meant for South African Jewry.

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

7.10.2026

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

Three Years After October 7, We Will Not Apologise for Standing with Israel

CRAIG PANTANOWITZ

October 7, Three Years On: Doron Libshtein on the Day Hamas Killed His Brother at Kfar Aza

GABRIEL MAKIN

October 7 Three Years on — A Pearl Harbour Moment in the Middle East

BENJI SHULMAN

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

Three Years After October 7, We Will Not Apologise for Standing with Israel

CRAIG PANTANOWITZ

October 7, Three Years On: Doron Libshtein on the Day Hamas Killed His Brother at Kfar Aza

GABRIEL MAKIN

October 7 Three Years on — A Pearl Harbour Moment in the Middle East

BENJI SHULMAN

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Military Cancels “Invalid” Cuban Contract

In a blow to Havana, the SANDF is to stop using Cuban specialists.

STAFF WRITER

Government Moves to Stop Illegal Occupation of 2 000 Hectares in Western Cape

POLITICS DESK

Constitutional Court Hands ANC Major Victory Ahead of Local Elections

STAFF WRITER

South Africa Less Politically Polarised Than Most Other Countries

POLITICS DESK

MKP Cancels Manifesto Rally as Financial Questions Mount and Zuma Remains Ill

STAFF WRITER

LISTEN NOW

LISTEN NOW

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

By clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

By clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

By clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Thriving in SA’s enclaves

VIEW ALL

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

In this subscribers-only video Frans Cronje discusses the latest scenarios from The Common Sense and explains what has changed.

FRANS CRONJE

-

7.10.2026

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

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

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

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

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

British PM Rules Out Coalition with Greens Over Antisemitic Policy

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out a coalition with the Green Party after its members voted to classify Zionism as a form of racism.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

The Global Economy Keeps Defying the Wars, Tariffs, and Pessimists

ECON DESK

When the Facts Don't Fit the Story

PAULA SLIER

Meservey Warns Pretoria Faces Next US Step

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Mlondi Mdluli: Township Businesses Don't Lack Ambition. Red Tape Is Locking Them Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: 95% Of Asylum Seekers Don't Qualify. So Why Aren't They Deported?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

Cilliers Brink: Why the DA Won’t Rescue Tshwane with Just Any Coalition Partner

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.10.2026

Mlondi Mdluli: Township Businesses Don't Lack Ambition. Red Tape Is Locking Them Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: 95% Of Asylum Seekers Don't Qualify. So Why Aren't They Deported?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

Cilliers Brink: Why the DA Won’t Rescue Tshwane with Just Any Coalition Partner

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.10.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

South Africa Better Prepared for Major Drought as El Niño Threat Grows

Agricultural experts warn that a strong El Niño could bring severe drought conditions to key farming regions, although high dam levels and favourable grain stocks leave South Africa better prepared than a decade ago.

ECONOMICS DESK

South Africa Has the Ingredients for an Industrial Revival

JACO KLEYNHANS

Cape Town Pushes Ahead with F1 Plans Despite Rwanda Securing Grand Prix

SPORTS DESK

The Global Economy Keeps Defying the Wars, Tariffs, and Pessimists

ECON DESK

South African Gold Mining Surges But Still Under Shadow of BEE Ownership

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

LFE

Multiracial Households in South Africa Grow Eight-Hundred-Fold in 20 Years

The proportion of multiracial households has grown strongly in the last 20 years, reflecting how South Africa has changed.

STAFF WRITER

Multiracial Households in South Africa Grow Eight-Hundred-Fold in 20 Years

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Is Your TV Spying on You?

SPRTS

Cape Town Pushes Ahead with F1 Plans Despite Rwanda Securing Grand Prix

Blue Mountain Racing says Formula One's decision to award Rwanda a 10-year Grand Prix agreement will not derail its plans to bring the sport to the Western Cape by 2031.

SPORTS DESK