South Africa’s Mightily Confused Foreign Affairs Committee

Parliament’s foreign affairs committee appears to be struggling to reconcile South Africa’s own legislation with its insistence that criticism of that legislation damages the national interest.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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23.10.2026

Exploit Oil Resources, Say South Africans

POLITICS DESK -

23.10.2026

How the BBC Whitewashes France’s Violent Riots

SIMON LINCOLN READER -

23.10.2026

South Africa’s Easy Electricity Solution

BHEKI MAHLOBO -

23.10.2026

UCT Moves to Oust Mark Oppenheimer, the Mini-Budget's Smoke and Mirrors, France Burns, Russian Oil

THE TALKING SENSE PODCAST -

23.10.2026

Court Bars DA From Linking eThekwini Leaders to Water Mafia

STAFF WRITER

- 22.10.2026

Lex Libertas Accepts Mahumapelo’s Challenge to Defend White Cross Project Claims

POLITICS DESK

- 22.10.2026

Editors' Forum Tells McKenzie to Drop Patriotic Alliance Media Ban

POLITICS DESK

- 22.10.2026

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 22.10.2026

El Niño Drought Threatens South Africa’s Summer Crops but No Reason to Panic – Sihlobo

ECONOMICS DESK

- 22.10.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The First 50 Metres of Fixing South Africa’s Towns and Cities

More communities are finding hope in taking charge of the sidewalks and intersections around them – and finding great satisfaction in doing so.

OMRY MAKGOALE

Internal ANC Factional Battles and ANC Splits

From the PAC to COPE, the EFF, and MKP, ANC factional battles have repeatedly produced splinter parties. Omry Makgoale argues that corruption and struggles for state power are driving the party’s fragmentation.

JADE DAVENPORT

Saldanha: Another New Beginning?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Black and White, ANC and DA, We Can Build a Great Country

RICHARD WILKINSON

Everything Turns on Whether ActionSA’s Polling Numbers are Right

FRANS CRONJE

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

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Wandile Sihlobo: South Africa Already Has a Plan to Grow Farming. It Was Never Implemented

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.10.2026

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

Wandile Sihlobo: South Africa Already Has a Plan to Grow Farming. It Was Never Implemented

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.10.2026

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

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

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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

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Exploit Oil Resources, Say South Africans

When it comes to oil and gas, South Africans say, "Drill baby drill!"

POLITICS DESK

Court Bars DA From Linking eThekwini Leaders to Water Mafia

STAFF WRITER

Lex Libertas Accepts Mahumapelo’s Challenge to Defend White Cross Project Claims

POLITICS DESK

Editors' Forum Tells McKenzie to Drop Patriotic Alliance Media Ban

POLITICS DESK

Godongwana Cuts Fuel Levy from Election Day Until January

STAFF WRITER

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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.

GLBAL

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US Orders Diplomats Out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Grow

Strikes on an airport and an oilfield killed at least three people; and the Houthi blockade of the Red Sea has helped push up the oil price.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Alberta Referendum Puts Canada’s Unity to the Test

FOREIGN DESK

Bolsonaro Leads Lula as Latin America Shifts Right

FOREIGN DESK

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

PAULA SLIER

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

UCT Moves to Oust Mark Oppenheimer, the Mini-Budget's Smoke and Mirrors, France Burns, Russian Oil

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: Hire South Africans First

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.10.2026

Bozell Says South Africa Could Be One of the Biggest Economies on Earth

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.10.2026

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

UCT Moves to Oust Mark Oppenheimer, the Mini-Budget's Smoke and Mirrors, France Burns, Russian Oil

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: Hire South Africans First

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.10.2026

Bozell Says South Africa Could Be One of the Biggest Economies on Earth

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.10.2026

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

ECNOMICS

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South Africa’s Easy Electricity Solution

South Africa is much closer to generating enough electricity to sustain economic growth of 5% than routinely pessimistic assessments suggest. Analysis by The Common Sense shows how restoring existing generating capacity could transform the country’s economic prospects.

BHEKI MAHLOBO

El Niño Drought Threatens South Africa’s Summer Crops but No Reason to Panic – Sihlobo

ECONOMICS DESK

The Headline Debt and Deficit Numbers Are Not What They Seem

ECON DESK

US Orders Diplomats Out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Grow

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Musk Offers Free Internet to 5 000 South African Schools in Perpetuity, but BEE Rules Stand in the Way

ECON DESK

LFE

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

South Africa has a compelling claim to be one of the world’s best places to live for a middle-class family.

ECON DESK

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

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

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