Farmer Shot, Tortured, Even as Legacy Media Continues to Deny Farm Attack Crisis

The brutal shooting and reported torture of a North West farmer has renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s farm attack crisis, with the latest research showing that farming households face roughly twice the risk of violent attack and that such attacks are nearly seven times more likely to end in murder than comparable crimes elsewhere in the country.

POLITICS DESK

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29.10.2026

UN Backs End to US-Cuba Embargo

STAFF WRITERSTAFF WRITER -

29.10.2026

All Four Bids Fail in South Africa’s First Gas-to-Power Tender

NEWS DESKNEWS DESK -

29.10.2026

Netanyahu Leads Israel Vote but Falls Short of Majority

FOREIGN AFFAIRS ...FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU -

29.10.2026

Putin: West Seeks to Push Africans Back Into “Financial Bondage”

STAFF WRITERSTAFF WRITER -

29.10.2026

DA Caucus Leader Murdered Ahead of Key Free State Election

STAFF WRITER

- 29.10.2026

South Africa: How a Foreign Policy Star Falls

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

- 29.10.2026

Fixing South Africa Starts in Seventh Century China

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 29.10.2026

The Three Events That Could Move Markets in November

FRANS CRONJE

- 29.10.2026

ANC at 32%: Gareth van Onselen on its Biggest Drop Ever

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 29.10.2026

NICHOLAS WOODE-SMITH

Government Helped Create the Illicit Tobacco Crisis; Now it Must Fix it

Nicholas Woode-Smith argues that government policies helped fuel South Africa’s illicit tobacco crisis, and enforcement alone will not fix it.

PAULA SLIER

Sudan's War Doesn’t Stop at the Border. Does South Africa’s Diplomacy?

Paula Slier examines how Sudan’s war is spilling into South Sudan, the foreign supply networks sustaining the fighting, and what South Africa could do to turn its diplomatic influence into meaningful action.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

El Niño Drought Threatens Southern Africa with a New Food Crisis in 2027

PIERNEEF

The People Keeping South Africa from Succeeding

BHEKI MAHLOBO

South Africans Face Higher Borrowing Costs as Global Rates Head up

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Building South Africa On Common Ground

SHRTS

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PLLING

VIEW ALL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Mark Oppenheimer: UCT is Trying to Remove Me for Talking On A Podcast

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.10.2026

Frans Cronje: Godongwana's Mini-Budget is Theatre to Calm the Bond Market

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg’s Drug Crisis Will Destroy the Next Generation

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.10.2026

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

Mark Oppenheimer: UCT is Trying to Remove Me for Talking On A Podcast

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.10.2026

Frans Cronje: Godongwana's Mini-Budget is Theatre to Calm the Bond Market

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg’s Drug Crisis Will Destroy the Next Generation

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.10.2026

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

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

VIEW ALL

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

-

27.10.2026

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

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Putin: West Seeks to Push Africans Back Into “Financial Bondage”

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Russia-Africa forum in Moscow that Western countries were trying to “drive Africans back into financial bondage”.

STAFF WRITER

Farmer Shot, Tortured, Even as Legacy Media Continues to Deny Farm Attack Crisis

POLITICS DESK

DA Caucus Leader Murdered Ahead of Key Free State Election

STAFF WRITER

South Africa Sends Delegation to Moscow Gas Summit

STAFF WRITER

Bloom Says Gauteng Loses or Can’t Account for Half its Water

STAFF WRITER

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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.

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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

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

UN Backs End to US-Cuba Embargo

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an end to the US embargo on Cuba by 130 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions.

STAFF WRITER

Netanyahu Leads Israel Vote but Falls Short of Majority

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Putin: West Seeks to Push Africans Back Into “Financial Bondage”

STAFF WRITER

Lula Wins Fourth Term as Brazil Rejects Bolsonaro

STAFF WRITER

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

ANC at 32%: Gareth van Onselen on its Biggest Drop Ever

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.10.2026

Corné Mulder Says a Party With 39% Support Cannot Speak for South Africa Abroad

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: Hire South Africans First

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.10.2026

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.10.2026

ANC at 32%: Gareth van Onselen on its Biggest Drop Ever

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.10.2026

Corné Mulder Says a Party With 39% Support Cannot Speak for South Africa Abroad

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: Hire South Africans First

THE COMMON SENSE

-

25.10.2026

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.10.2026

ECNOMICS

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All Four Bids Fail in South Africa’s First Gas-to-Power Tender

The Department of Electricity and Energy said none of the four bids in South Africa’s first gas-to-power procurement round met mandatory criteria.

NEWS DESK

The Three Events That Could Move Markets in November

FRANS CRONJE

Solidarity Says SAA Salaries are in Arrears Again

ECONOMICS DESK

Fitch Holds to its June Debt Forecasts as Low Growth Remains a Problem in SA

BHEKI MAHLOBO

How South Africa Could Get Back Into the Mining Exploration Race

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

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

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