Trollip, Beaumont, and Mashaba Are Quite Right: The GNU Has Failed South Africans

Two years into the Government of National Unity, the picture for ordinary South Africans remains troubling.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

16.6.2026

Clock Ticks Down to 30 June Explosion as Risks Loom

POLITICS DESK -

16.6.2026

They Helped To Transform This Country, Although At The Cost Of Their Blood

STAFF WRITER -

16.6.2026

The Common Sense Was Right on the Iran War

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

16.6.2026

More Than Half of Deaths Among Young Men from Unnatural Causes

STAFF WRITER

- 16.6.2026

Soweto Uprising 1976: Omry Makgoale’s Unforgettable Student Eyewitness Account

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 16.6.2026

AfriForum to Malema: We Build, While the State Breaks

STAFF WRITER

- 15.6.2026

Johannesburg Council Approves Punishing Tariff Increases

STAFF WRITER

- 15.6.2026

US and Iran Reach Draft Peace Deal

STAFF WRITER

- 15.6.2026

MARIUS ROODT

Coalition Likely to Govern Mpumalanga’s Biggest City After November

The ANC is unlikely to get a majority in Nelspruit after the November LGE.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Two Biggest Parties Are Failing South Africa

Neither ANC nor the DA are reversing the cycle of stagnancy.

DAVID ANSARA

Chris Roper’s Prescriptions Won’t Save Media

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Can the DA Govern South Africa Better Than the ANC Has?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary: Have We Reached Peak CR?

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Social Research Foundation polling conducted in the first quarter asked registered voters in Gauteng which party they would support if local government elections were held today. The Gauteng sample is smaller than the national sample, meaning the provincial margin of error is higher and the results should be interpreted as a rough indication of support levels rather than a precise estimate of electoral outcomes.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

A recent report reveals contrasting trends in youth happiness across Eastern Europe and wealthy Western nations. While Eastern European youth report increased life satisfaction, their Western counterparts face declines.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Social Research Foundation polling conducted in the first quarter asked registered voters in Gauteng which party they would support if local government elections were held today. The Gauteng sample is smaller than the national sample, meaning the provincial margin of error is higher and the results should be interpreted as a rough indication of support levels rather than a precise estimate of electoral outcomes.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

A recent report reveals contrasting trends in youth happiness across Eastern Europe and wealthy Western nations. While Eastern European youth report increased life satisfaction, their Western counterparts face declines.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Social Research Foundation polling conducted in the first quarter asked registered voters in Gauteng which party they would support if local government elections were held today. The Gauteng sample is smaller than the national sample, meaning the provincial margin of error is higher and the results should be interpreted as a rough indication of support levels rather than a precise estimate of electoral outcomes.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

A recent report reveals contrasting trends in youth happiness across Eastern Europe and wealthy Western nations. While Eastern European youth report increased life satisfaction, their Western counterparts face declines.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Social Research Foundation polling conducted in the first quarter asked registered voters in Gauteng which party they would support if local government elections were held today. The Gauteng sample is smaller than the national sample, meaning the provincial margin of error is higher and the results should be interpreted as a rough indication of support levels rather than a precise estimate of electoral outcomes.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

A recent report reveals contrasting trends in youth happiness across Eastern Europe and wealthy Western nations. While Eastern European youth report increased life satisfaction, their Western counterparts face declines.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

Jacob Zuma remains the most popular political figure in eThekwini, overshadowing other candidates. The local electorate appears resistant to institutional alternatives.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

A recent Gallup poll reveals that companies adopting AI are both hiring and firing more employees. This indicates a significant shift in workforce dynamics.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked voters in Tshwane how they think service delivery would change if each party governed the municipality by itself, not in a coalition. Respondents could say the service would greatly improve, somewhat improve, stay the same, somewhat worsen, or greatly worsen.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.6.2026

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.6.2026

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.5.2026

This Is How The Iran War Ends

THE COMMON SENSE

-

27.5.2026

SA's Illicit Economy

Shadow State Rising

This Common Sense Special Report looks at Illicit economic activity in South Africa and the threat it poses to the economic, social, and political stability of the country.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.6.2026

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

STAFF WRITER

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

STAFF WRITER

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

STAFF WRITER

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

STAFF WRITER

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

STAFF WRITER

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

STAFF WRITER

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Clock Ticks Down to 30 June Explosion as Risks Loom

With just weeks remaining until 30 June, South Africa's security services, businesses, and communities are preparing for what could become one of the most significant domestic flashpoints since the July 2021 unrest – but the date should pass without a replication of July 2021.

POLITICS DESK

16 June 1976: “I Was There”

OMRY MAKGOALE

They Helped To Transform This Country, Although At The Cost Of Their Blood

STAFF WRITER

AfriForum to Malema: We Build, While the State Breaks

STAFF WRITER

Johannesburg Council Approves Punishing Tariff Increases

STAFF WRITER

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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

-

12.6.2026

Trump Claims Iran Deal Imminent Amid Entrapment Risks

STAFF WRITER

Iran War Update: Trump Faces Entrapment Risk

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

Trump Claims Iran Deal Imminent Amid Entrapment Risks

STAFF WRITER

Iran War Update: Trump Faces Entrapment Risk

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

US and Iran Still on Track for Deal to Drop Oil Prices

STAFF WRITER

SA Petrol Price Could Fall Steeply as War Premium Fades

ECONOMICS DESK

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Trump Claims Iran Deal Imminent Amid Entrapment Risks

Oil has fallen below $90 as the US firmly signals a potential peace pact, but Tehran insists no final agreement exists.

STAFF WRITER

Iran War Update: Trump Faces Entrapment Risk

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Milei's Economic Gamble Delivers Results for Argentina

STAFF WRITER

Burnham Leading in By-Election Poll

FOREIGN DESK

South African Official Among Those Mentioned in Concerning UN Watchdog Report

NEWS DESK

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

Soweto Uprising 1976: Omry Makgoale’s Unforgettable Student Eyewitness Account

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.6.2026

The Green Hydrogen "Bomb", South Africa's Illicit Economy And California's Broken Election System

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.6.2026

School Capture: The Hidden Activist Takeover of SA Education | Richard Wilkinson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.6.2026

No Factories, No Votes, No Accountability, South Africa and the West Are Failing the Same Way

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.6.2026

Soweto Uprising 1976: Omry Makgoale’s Unforgettable Student Eyewitness Account

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.6.2026

The Green Hydrogen "Bomb", South Africa's Illicit Economy And California's Broken Election System

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.6.2026

School Capture: The Hidden Activist Takeover of SA Education | Richard Wilkinson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.6.2026

No Factories, No Votes, No Accountability, South Africa and the West Are Failing the Same Way

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.6.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

More Than Half of Deaths Among Young Men from Unnatural Causes

Fewer men, aged between 16 and 29, die of natural than of unnatural causes in South Africa.

STAFF WRITER

Milei's Economic Gamble Delivers Results for Argentina

STAFF WRITER

Afghanistan and South Africa Have Same Level of Fixed Investment

ECONOMICS DESK

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

NEWS DESK

Sakeliga Strikes Blow Against BEE

STAFF WRITER

LFE

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

Much of the solar system is horribly uninhabitable for humans.

RW JOHNSON

Beyond Mars and the Next Frontier of Space Exploration

On to Mars

Fly Me to the Moon

SPRTS

Bafana Bafana Humiliated by Mexico: All We Can Do Is Laugh at the Memes

Bafana Bafana were humiliated 2-0 by 10-man Mexico in their World Cup opener. Poor tactics, self-inflicted red cards, and a complete lack of threat left South Africa also-rans. The only silver lining is that the game and post-match reaction generated some humorous and viral content.

JOSH MAKAMA

Trollip, Beaumont, and Mashaba Are Quite Right: The GNU Has Failed South Africans

Clock Ticks Down to 30 June Explosion as Risks Loom

16 June 1976: “I Was There”

They Helped To Transform This Country, Although At The Cost Of Their Blood

The Common Sense Was Right on the Iran War

More Than Half of Deaths Among Young Men from Unnatural Causes

Soweto Uprising 1976: Omry Makgoale’s Unforgettable Student Eyewitness Account

AfriForum to Malema: We Build, While the State Breaks

Johannesburg Council Approves Punishing Tariff Increases

US and Iran Reach Draft Peace Deal

Coalition Likely to Govern Mpumalanga’s Biggest City After November

The Two Biggest Parties Are Failing South Africa

Resisting BEE Through AGOA

Chris Roper’s Prescriptions Won’t Save Media

Can the DA Govern South Africa Better Than the ANC Has?

The Common Sense’s Diary: Have We Reached Peak CR?

SHRTS

PLLING

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

ANC as Accountable as the DA

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

ANC as Accountable as the DA

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

ANC as Accountable as the DA

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

DA Leads In Gauteng, ANC Close Behind

Eastern European Youth Thrive While Western Counterparts Decline

Who eThekwini voters like, and who they reject

AI-Adopting Firms Are Hiring And Firing More

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

ANC as Accountable as the DA

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

DA Stands Out In Tshwane Poll On Municipal Performance

VIDES

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

This Is How The Iran War Ends

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

This Is How The Iran War Ends

SA's Illicit Economy

Shadow State Rising

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

How a Parallel Illicit Economy Threatens National Security

Illegal Mining Threatens SA Mining Industry

Shadow Economy Threatens SA’s Security

More Than 10 Dead in Illicit Mining Hotspot

PLITICS

Clock Ticks Down to 30 June Explosion as Risks Loom

16 June 1976: “I Was There”

They Helped To Transform This Country, Although At The Cost Of Their Blood

AfriForum to Malema: We Build, While the State Breaks