Swimmers pay for Bureaucrats’ Good Times

Olympic champion Tatjana Smith is leaving South Africa for the Netherlands after years of mistreatment by Swimming South Africa, exposing a federation plagued by alleged corruption and financial mismanagement.

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

-

12.11.2026

PA Backs ActionSA for Laingsburg Mayor as Coalition Talks Progress

POLITICS DESKPOLITICS DESK -

12.11.2026

McKenzie Defends Government After Tatjana Smith’s Switch to Netherlands

NEWS DESKNEWS DESK -

12.11.2026

SACP Rules Out Coalition Deals with DA

STAFF WRITERSTAFF WRITER -

12.11.2026

South Africa Again Faces a Choice Between the High Road and the Low Road

FRANS CRONJEFRANS CRONJE -

12.11.2026

The ANC Still Dominates South Africa’s Political Map Despite its Election Collapse

POLITICS DESK

- 12.11.2026

The Common Sense’s Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 12.11.2026

Why South Africans Turned Against the ANC

BHEKI MAHLOBO

- 12.11.2026

Mbeki Wants Ramaphosa Out

MARIUS ROODT

- 12.11.2026

Nine in Ten Voters say 2026 Elections Were Free and Fair, HSRC Finds

POLITICS CORRESPONDENT

- 11.11.2026

TONY LEON

A Bad Week for the ANC and the Republicans

Both Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump saw their parties suffer major electoral defeats last week, but the US midterm results are unlikely to change Washington’s policy towards South Africa.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

South Africa has a Historic Opportunity to put its Divided Past Behind it

The 2026 local government elections have created an extraordinary opportunity for the ANC and DA to build a governing alliance that could reshape South Africa’s political future, restore economic growth, and finally move the country beyond the divisions of its past.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

The Success of the Canola Industry Offers Inspiration for Other Crop Expansion and Inclusion in South African Agriculture

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

The Incredible Reaction to South Africa's Election

PAULA SLIER

Africa Keeps Being Promised Climate Money. Where is it?

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Most Voters Oppose Companies Cutting Jobs to Avoid BEE

If complying with BEE is so costly that a company cuts its staff to escape the rules, would voters support that decision?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Want Local Government, Not the Private Sector, to Keep Running Basic Services

Should local government keep running the provision of water, refuse collection, and electricity, or should the private sector take over?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say China Brings More Investment and Jobs to South Africa Than The US Does

Who do voters think does more for South Africa’s economy, China or the United States?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most voters want the private sector to run public hospitals

Should the government take over private hospitals, or should the private sector take over public ones? Voters were asked to choose.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say South African Companies Should be Allowed to Explore for Oil and Gas

Should South African companies be allowed to look for oil and gas if it helps the country produce its own oil? What do voters think?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Likely Voters Have Given the Local Elections Real Thought

Polling day is almost here. How much thought have the voters most likely to turn out given the local elections?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Fewer Likely Voters Like the ANC Than at the Start of Last Year

With the local elections almost here, how do likely voters feel about the ANC, and has that changed?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Have No View of Herman Mashaba Than Like or Dislike him

Herman Mashaba leads ActionSA and is its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. How many voters have formed a view of him?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa has Lost Favour with Voters Since 2022

Cyril Ramaphosa leads the ANC into next month's local elections. How do voters as a whole rate him now, compared with 2022?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Oppose Companies Cutting Jobs to Avoid BEE

If complying with BEE is so costly that a company cuts its staff to escape the rules, would voters support that decision?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Want Local Government, Not the Private Sector, to Keep Running Basic Services

Should local government keep running the provision of water, refuse collection, and electricity, or should the private sector take over?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say China Brings More Investment and Jobs to South Africa Than The US Does

Who do voters think does more for South Africa’s economy, China or the United States?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most voters want the private sector to run public hospitals

Should the government take over private hospitals, or should the private sector take over public ones? Voters were asked to choose.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say South African Companies Should be Allowed to Explore for Oil and Gas

Should South African companies be allowed to look for oil and gas if it helps the country produce its own oil? What do voters think?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Likely Voters Have Given the Local Elections Real Thought

Polling day is almost here. How much thought have the voters most likely to turn out given the local elections?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Fewer Likely Voters Like the ANC Than at the Start of Last Year

With the local elections almost here, how do likely voters feel about the ANC, and has that changed?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Have No View of Herman Mashaba Than Like or Dislike him

Herman Mashaba leads ActionSA and is its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. How many voters have formed a view of him?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa has Lost Favour with Voters Since 2022

Cyril Ramaphosa leads the ANC into next month's local elections. How do voters as a whole rate him now, compared with 2022?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Oppose Companies Cutting Jobs to Avoid BEE

If complying with BEE is so costly that a company cuts its staff to escape the rules, would voters support that decision?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Want Local Government, Not the Private Sector, to Keep Running Basic Services

Should local government keep running the provision of water, refuse collection, and electricity, or should the private sector take over?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say China Brings More Investment and Jobs to South Africa Than The US Does

Who do voters think does more for South Africa’s economy, China or the United States?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most voters want the private sector to run public hospitals

Should the government take over private hospitals, or should the private sector take over public ones? Voters were asked to choose.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say South African Companies Should be Allowed to Explore for Oil and Gas

Should South African companies be allowed to look for oil and gas if it helps the country produce its own oil? What do voters think?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Likely Voters Have Given the Local Elections Real Thought

Polling day is almost here. How much thought have the voters most likely to turn out given the local elections?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Fewer Likely Voters Like the ANC Than at the Start of Last Year

With the local elections almost here, how do likely voters feel about the ANC, and has that changed?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Have No View of Herman Mashaba Than Like or Dislike him

Herman Mashaba leads ActionSA and is its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. How many voters have formed a view of him?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa has Lost Favour with Voters Since 2022

Cyril Ramaphosa leads the ANC into next month's local elections. How do voters as a whole rate him now, compared with 2022?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Oppose Companies Cutting Jobs to Avoid BEE

If complying with BEE is so costly that a company cuts its staff to escape the rules, would voters support that decision?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters Want Local Government, Not the Private Sector, to Keep Running Basic Services

Should local government keep running the provision of water, refuse collection, and electricity, or should the private sector take over?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say China Brings More Investment and Jobs to South Africa Than The US Does

Who do voters think does more for South Africa’s economy, China or the United States?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most voters want the private sector to run public hospitals

Should the government take over private hospitals, or should the private sector take over public ones? Voters were asked to choose.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Voters say South African Companies Should be Allowed to Explore for Oil and Gas

Should South African companies be allowed to look for oil and gas if it helps the country produce its own oil? What do voters think?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Likely Voters Have Given the Local Elections Real Thought

Polling day is almost here. How much thought have the voters most likely to turn out given the local elections?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Fewer Likely Voters Like the ANC Than at the Start of Last Year

With the local elections almost here, how do likely voters feel about the ANC, and has that changed?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Have No View of Herman Mashaba Than Like or Dislike him

Herman Mashaba leads ActionSA and is its candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. How many voters have formed a view of him?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Ramaphosa has Lost Favour with Voters Since 2022

Cyril Ramaphosa leads the ANC into next month's local elections. How do voters as a whole rate him now, compared with 2022?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Mbeki Wants Ramaphosa Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.11.2026

A Million Black Voters Chose the DA. Why?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.11.2026

These Are the Only Three Coalitions That Make Sense

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.11.2026

Frans Cronje: The ANC's Carcass Is Being Picked Apart by Its Own Allies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.11.2026

ActionSA Overtook the ANC in Tshwane. Now Nasiphi Moya Could Challenge Mashaba

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.11.2026

Mbeki Wants Ramaphosa Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.11.2026

A Million Black Voters Chose the DA. Why?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.11.2026

These Are the Only Three Coalitions That Make Sense

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.11.2026

Frans Cronje: The ANC's Carcass Is Being Picked Apart by Its Own Allies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.11.2026

ActionSA Overtook the ANC in Tshwane. Now Nasiphi Moya Could Challenge Mashaba

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.11.2026

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

PA Backs ActionSA for Laingsburg Mayor as Coalition Talks Progress

The PA has agreed to support ActionSA’s mayoral candidate in Laingsburg in the Western Cape, marking the first agreement between the two parties following the 2026 local government elections. The parties are continuing negotiations over further coalition arrangements in municipalities where both hold seats.

POLITICS DESK

McKenzie Defends Government After Tatjana Smith’s Switch to Netherlands

NEWS DESK

SACP Rules Out Coalition Deals with DA

STAFF WRITER

Swimmers pay for Bureaucrats’ Good Times

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

The ANC Still Dominates South Africa’s Political Map Despite its Election Collapse

POLITICS DESK

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The Common Sense

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Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

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The Common Sense

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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

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

The Common Sense’s guide to South Africa's enclave future.

FRANS CRONJE

-

3.11.2026

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

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

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

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

A Bad Week for the ANC and the Republicans

Both Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump saw their parties suffer major electoral defeats last week, but the US midterm results are unlikely to change Washington’s policy towards South Africa.

TONY LEON

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

Democrats Drub Republicans in US Midterms

FOREIGN DESK

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

Left-Wing Coup Attempt in Poland as Protests Grip Capital

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

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LGE 2026: 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, views on March and March and AfriForum, and whether the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal should secede.

POLITICS DESK

-

4.11.2026

DA Leads in Jo’burg, But Likely Short of a Majority

POLITICS DESK

MKP Dominates in eThekwini, ANC Support Craters

POLITICS DESK

Fewer Than a Third of South Africans Support the ANC

POLITICS DESK

Tshwane Remains on the Brink in Latest Polling

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Leads in Jo’burg, But Likely Short of a Majority

POLITICS DESK

MKP Dominates in eThekwini, ANC Support Craters

POLITICS DESK

Fewer Than a Third of South Africans Support the ANC

POLITICS DESK

Tshwane Remains on the Brink in Latest Polling

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

The ANC Lost the Metros. Tony Leon Says it Still Holds Most of the Cards

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.11.2026

ANC Crashes to 32%, Democrats Sweep the Midterms, the $33 Trillion Reparations Bill

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.11.2026

Frans Cronje: No Party May Ever Win South Africa Outright Again

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.11.2026

Frans Cronje: The ANC Can Win 50% Again Under Motsepe

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.11.2026

The ANC Lost the Metros. Tony Leon Says it Still Holds Most of the Cards

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.11.2026

ANC Crashes to 32%, Democrats Sweep the Midterms, the $33 Trillion Reparations Bill

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.11.2026

Frans Cronje: No Party May Ever Win South Africa Outright Again

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.11.2026

Frans Cronje: The ANC Can Win 50% Again Under Motsepe

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.11.2026

ECNOMICS

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Why South Africans Turned Against the ANC

The ANC won support by improving the lives of millions of South Africans after 1994. Five charts show how those improvements stalled after 2008, public anger increased, and voters increasingly abandoned the party, culminating in its historic defeat in the 2026 local government elections.

BHEKI MAHLOBO

The Economy Crushed the ANC

BHEKI MAHLOBO

Investors Welcome South Africa’s Election Results as Bond Yields Remain Low

BHEKI MAHLOBO

The Success of the Canola Industry Offers Inspiration for Other Crop Expansion and Inclusion in South African Agriculture

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Counting the Cost of Losing AGOA: In America, in Jobs in SA, but Not in Beijing

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

LFE

The Phones at Our Table

With our children now at university, I look back on years of battles over phones, what they taught me, and whether what we did was enough.

CJ BARE

The Phones at Our Table

Why South Africa Is One of the Best Countries in the World to Be Middle Class

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

SPRTS

McKenzie Defends Government After Tatjana Smith’s Switch to Netherlands

Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended the government following Olympic champion Tatjana Smith’s decision to swim for the Netherlands. He says sporting federations, not government, are responsible for funding athletes and attracting sponsors, while acknowledging ongoing problems at Swimming South Africa.

NEWS DESK