Why Now Is a Great Time to Be Alive

It's easy to get swept up in the endless waves of bad news that flood our media today. Open almost any news channel and you will be told about unprecedented war and violence, economic chaos, climate catastrophe, surging hate, and collapsing democracies. But that is all wrong – and life on Earth today is, in every important respect, the most wonderful it has ever been.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

28.4.2026

Iran Talks Stall as Internal Divisions Complicate Path to Deal

NEWS DESK -

28.4.2026

Global Central Banks Set to Hold Fire Even as Inflation Stays Elevated

ECON DESK -

28.4.2026

After the Miracle

JAMES MYBURGH -

28.4.2026

Why Do South Africans Accept the Crime That Makes Them Live in Fear?

REINE OPPERMAN -

28.4.2026

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 28.4.2026

Why the Doom Narratives on SA are Wrong

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 27.4.2026

The Nightmare Years

JAMES MYBURGH

- 27.4.2026

How Well Are The Communists Likely To Do in the Municipal Elections?

POLITICS DESK

- 27.4.2026

South Africa Has Recorded Over 100 000 Armed Robberies Every Year Since 2001

REINE OPPERMAN

- 27.4.2026

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

Richard Tren writes on the view from Washington on the latest global developments.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Is the DA Really (Deeply, Truly) Interested in Fixing SA?

Three intersecting events converge to ask a tough question about the DA and its new leadership. These start with the proposed new school history curriculum, extend across the country’s farms, and end up in Cape Town.

DAVID ANSARA

Nobody is Coming to Save Us

RW JOHNSON

The Scandal of SAA

BENJI SHULMAN

The Role of the Palestinians in the Holocaust

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Zuma and Starmer: More Alike Than You Think

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.4.2026

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.4.2026

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

Predatory Crime In SA

After the Miracle

James Myburgh writes on the contested question of whether violent crime surged or receded as the ANC turned away from reconciliation

JAMES MYBURGH

-

28.4.2026

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare Years

JAMES MYBURGH

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare Years

JAMES MYBURGH

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

20.4.2026

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

After the Miracle

James Myburgh writes on the contested question of whether violent crime surged or receded as the ANC turned away from reconciliation

JAMES MYBURGH

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare Years

JAMES MYBURGH

How Well Are The Communists Likely To Do in the Municipal Elections?

POLITICS DESK

South Africa Has Recorded Over 100 000 Armed Robberies Every Year Since 2001

REINE OPPERMAN

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daily mailer

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daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Iran Talks Stall as Internal Divisions Complicate Path to Deal

Breakdown in talks and rising oil prices raise the stakes ahead of a crucial Trump–Xi meeting.

NEWS DESK

Global Central Banks Set to Hold Fire Even as Inflation Stays Elevated

ECON DESK

Iran’s Proxy War in the UK

WARWICK GREY

Number of US Scientists Missing or Dead – Who is Behind It?

FOREIGN DESK

Southern Poverty Law Centre: Fighting Racism or Funding It?

WARWICK GREY

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Talking Sense About Geordin Hill-Lewis In The Cabinet, Legacy Media Doom-Mongers And Mandelson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.4.2026

Expropriation, Land Reform And Agriculture - Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.4.2026

Why The ANC Lost The 2024 Election - Premium Subscriber Content

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

The Definitive Podcast On Farm Murders - Dr James Myburgh - Conversations With Gabriel

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

Talking Sense About Geordin Hill-Lewis In The Cabinet, Legacy Media Doom-Mongers And Mandelson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.4.2026

Expropriation, Land Reform And Agriculture - Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.4.2026

Why The ANC Lost The 2024 Election - Premium Subscriber Content

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

The Definitive Podcast On Farm Murders - Dr James Myburgh - Conversations With Gabriel

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Iran Talks Stall as Internal Divisions Complicate Path to Deal

Breakdown in talks and rising oil prices raise the stakes ahead of a crucial Trump–Xi meeting.

NEWS DESK

Global Central Banks Set to Hold Fire Even as Inflation Stays Elevated

ECON DESK

Why Do South Africans Accept the Crime That Makes Them Live in Fear?

REINE OPPERMAN

Mobile Betting Takes Off: The New Digital Age of Gambling in South Africa

NEWS DESK

SA’s Consumer Inflation Holds Steady in March but Will Rise in April

ECONOMICS DESK

LFE

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

Much of the solar system is horribly uninhabitable for humans.

RW JOHNSON

Why Now Is a Great Time to Be Alive

Iran Talks Stall as Internal Divisions Complicate Path to Deal

Global Central Banks Set to Hold Fire Even as Inflation Stays Elevated

After the Miracle

Why Do South Africans Accept the Crime That Makes Them Live in Fear?

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

Why the Doom Narratives on SA are Wrong

The Nightmare Years

How Well Are The Communists Likely To Do in the Municipal Elections?

South Africa Has Recorded Over 100 000 Armed Robberies Every Year Since 2001

Dispatch from Washington

Is the DA Really (Deeply, Truly) Interested in Fixing SA?

Nobody is Coming to Save Us

The Scandal of SAA

The Role of the Palestinians in the Holocaust

Zuma and Starmer: More Alike Than You Think

SHRTS

PLLING

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

VIDES

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

South African's Don't Care About Race

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

South African's Don't Care About Race

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

Predatory Crime In SA

After the Miracle

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

The Nightmare Years

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

The Nightmare Years

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

Iran War Outlook Brightens

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?