A Manufactured Decline

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation responds to The Common Sense, arguing that South Africa’s decline since 2008 was deliberately manufactured by forces inside and outside the state, and that the full story of its collapse has yet to be told.

THABO MBEKI FOUNDATION

-

18.10.2026

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

PAULA SLIER -

18.10.2026

Civilisationalists and Extinguishers

KOOS MALAN -

18.10.2026

The Horror of a Russian Victory in Ukraine for Africa

PLATFORM FOR AFRICAN DEMOCRATS -

18.10.2026

Will Zuma's Death Boost MK? DA's Rubio Blunder, Guilfoyle, Ilhan Omar, the IMF, and the Mini-Budget

THE TALKING SENSE PODCAST -

17.10.2026

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

- 17.10.2026

Do Nuclear Scientists Dream of Radioactive Sheep?

STAFF WRITER

- 17.10.2026

Peter Hain’s Smuggler Kingpin: When the Author Becomes the Most Interesting Character

KRIS VAN DER BIJL

- 17.10.2026

The Line That Never Closed

STAFF WRITER

- 17.10.2026

The World’s Choices: Civilisation or Destruction

SIMON LINCOLN READER

- 16.10.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

UCT Should Reject the Punishment of Dissent

UCT faces a major test of academic freedom as its Council considers punishing two members for publicly challenging the university’s policies and raising concerns about antisemitism.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Expect a Very Good Mini-Budget Next Week

The National Treasury’s determination to defend its fiscal targets despite a deteriorating economy is a reminder of how much South Africa owes to an institution whose competence and pragmatism are too often taken for granted.

JACO KLEYNHANS

South Africa Has the Ingredients for an Industrial Revival

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

November Will Be Rough, But an Encouraging Future Lies Ahead

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Three in Four Voters Over 65 Now View the ANC Unfavourably

Older voters were evenly split on the ANC at the start of last year. Where do they stand now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? 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

Three in Four Voters Over 65 Now View the ANC Unfavourably

Older voters were evenly split on the ANC at the start of last year. Where do they stand now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? 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

Three in Four Voters Over 65 Now View the ANC Unfavourably

Older voters were evenly split on the ANC at the start of last year. Where do they stand now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? 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

Three in Four Voters Over 65 Now View the ANC Unfavourably

Older voters were evenly split on the ANC at the start of last year. Where do they stand now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? 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

VIDES

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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

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A Manufactured Decline

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation responds to The Common Sense, arguing that South Africa’s decline since 2008 was deliberately manufactured by forces inside and outside the state, and that the full story of its collapse has yet to be told.

THABO MBEKI FOUNDATION

The Horror of a Russian Victory in Ukraine for Africa

PLATFORM FOR AFRICAN DEMOCRATS

NPA and Police Deny Warrants for March and March Leaders

STAFF WRITER

UCT Should Reject the Punishment of Dissent

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Military Cancels “Invalid” Cuban Contract

STAFF WRITER

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The Common Sense

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Thriving in SA’s enclaves

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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

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

Paula Slier writes on increasing tensions in the Horn of Africa as fears rise that the region could see another terrible conflict.

PAULA SLIER

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

The World’s Choices: Civilisation or Destruction

SIMON LINCOLN READER

British PM Rules Out Coalition with Greens Over Antisemitic Policy

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

PDCASTS

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Will Zuma's Death Boost MK? DA's Rubio Blunder, Guilfoyle, Ilhan Omar, the IMF, and the Mini-Budget

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg is Over the Edge, and the DA Won’t Stay in Power at All Costs

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.10.2026

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

Will Zuma's Death Boost MK? DA's Rubio Blunder, Guilfoyle, Ilhan Omar, the IMF, and the Mini-Budget

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg is Over the Edge, and the DA Won’t Stay in Power at All Costs

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.10.2026

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

ECNOMICS

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AI Data Centres Could Help Break South Africa’s Low Growth Trap

How the global data-centre boom could save South Africa.

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

South Africa Is Running Out of Room to Raise Taxes

ECONOMICS DESK

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

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

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