South Africa’s Race Relations Are Stronger Than Many Believe

Despite the country’s heated political rhetoric, South Africans remain remarkably united in their desire to live and prosper together.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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13.10.2026

DA Accuses ANC of Rushing 250 Permanent Municipal Appointments as Election Fears Grow

STAFF WRITER -

13.10.2026

Freedom Under Law Condemns ConCourt Protest Violence

NEWS DESK -

13.10.2026

Dad Gambles, Family Pays: How Gambling Affects South Africa’s Households

STAFF WRITER -

13.10.2026

JSC Publishes Rulebook for Choosing Judges

NEWS DESK -

13.10.2026

More Voters Like Groenewald Than Did Last Year, and No More Dislike Him

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 13.10.2026

South Africa’s Race Relations Are Stronger Than Many Believe

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 13.10.2026

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

FRANS CRONJE

- 13.10.2026

New Polling Has DA Ahead in Ekurhuleni and NMB

POLITICS DESK

- 13.10.2026

Why a Used PlayStation Now Costs More Than a New One

WARWICK GREY

- 13.10.2026

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Uncertainty is High as the 2026-27 Summer Crop Season Starts

Wandile Sihlobo writes on the risks facing South Africa’s new summer crop season, as favourable soil moisture conditions are offset by fears of an El Niño-induced drought and rising input costs.

FRANS CRONJE

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

Frans Cronje says, “The case for optimism, the foundational underpinning of The Common Sense, rests on the conviction that the aspirations of ordinary South Africans remain a stronger and more durable force than the failures of the political and economic establishment. Those aspirations have survived decades of disappointment, and they continue to find expression in the determination of individuals, families, businesses, and communities to build better lives – and it is to give a voice to this, to bring it to the fore, to unite the common ground, and to thereby build a great South Africa that The Common Sense was created.”

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

I Watched the Rot Begin in Local Government: A Johannesburg Councillor on the Price of No Consequence Management

JADE DAVENPORT

Obedience is Not Patriotism

IAN CAMERON

Thousands of Convicted Sex Offenders Missing from Register

PAULA SLIER

When the Facts Don't Fit the Story

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? 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

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? 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

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? 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

DA Voters Have Turned Against Gayton McKenzie

Eighteen months ago DA voters liked the Patriotic Alliance leader more than they disliked him. What do they think now? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

As More Voters Get to Know Hill-Lewis, More of Them Like Him

Six months into the job, how do voters rate the DA's new leader, and how many have a view at all? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Opposition to an ANC and DA Coalition Has Halved Among the ANC's Own Voters

Who still objects to the two parties governing together? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israelis Have Lost Faith That Two States Can Live in Peace

Three years after 7 October, what do Israelis think a two-state peace would look like? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Half of Voters Put Jobs in Their Top Two Priorities

What do voters want the government to fix first? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One Party Is Trusted to Run a Municipality on Its Own

What do voters think would happen if a single party held the majority where they live? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Want the ANC and DA to Keep Governing Together

If no party wins a majority in November, what do voters want to happen in their municipality? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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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

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

How South Africa's Farm Murders Began and Why the ANC Stopped Fighting Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

Frans Cronje: Why the DA Could Be Right to Walk Out of the GNU

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.9.2026

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

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

How South Africa's Farm Murders Began and Why the ANC Stopped Fighting Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.9.2026

Frans Cronje: Why the DA Could Be Right to Walk Out of the GNU

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.9.2026

Commemorating October 7th

VIEW ALL

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

The Chief Rabbi of South Africa, Dr Warren Goldstein, explains to Gabriel Makin what the October 7 attacks meant for South African Jewry.

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

7.10.2026

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

Three Years After October 7, We Will Not Apologise for Standing with Israel

CRAIG PANTANOWITZ

October 7, Three Years On: Doron Libshtein on the Day Hamas Killed His Brother at Kfar Aza

GABRIEL MAKIN

October 7 Three Years on — A Pearl Harbour Moment in the Middle East

BENJI SHULMAN

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

Three Years After October 7, We Will Not Apologise for Standing with Israel

CRAIG PANTANOWITZ

October 7, Three Years On: Doron Libshtein on the Day Hamas Killed His Brother at Kfar Aza

GABRIEL MAKIN

October 7 Three Years on — A Pearl Harbour Moment in the Middle East

BENJI SHULMAN

PLITICS

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DA Accuses ANC of Rushing 250 Permanent Municipal Appointments as Election Fears Grow

The Democratic Alliance alleges that Mangaung’s ANC administration is attempting to secure permanent municipal jobs for political staff and outgoing councillors ahead of the November local government elections.

STAFF WRITER

Freedom Under Law Condemns ConCourt Protest Violence

NEWS DESK

JSC Publishes Rulebook for Choosing Judges

NEWS DESK

IRR Warns Citizenship Threat is an Attack on Civil Liberties

STAFF WRITER

New Polling Has DA Ahead in Ekurhuleni and NMB

POLITICS DESK

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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

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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

Meservey Warns Pretoria Faces Next US Step

Hudson Institute analyst Joshua Meservey says Washington has lost patience with talks and expects the US to intensify pressure on Pretoria.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

US Expert Warns Targeted Financial Sanctions Could Follow US Visa Restrictions

POLITICS DESK

MTN’s Iran Quagmire Deepens

ECON DESK

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

When Trouble in Mozambique Crosses the Border

PAULA SLIER

PDCASTS

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David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

Cilliers Brink: Why the DA Won’t Rescue Tshwane with Just Any Coalition Partner

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.10.2026

Should the DA Refuse to Govern Joburg? Record Diesel Prices and Mbalula’s Expropriation Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.10.2026

Mbeki’s Counter-Revolution Theory, Myburgh in Washington, and the 10 Million SA Left in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.10.2026

David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

Cilliers Brink: Why the DA Won’t Rescue Tshwane with Just Any Coalition Partner

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.10.2026

Should the DA Refuse to Govern Joburg? Record Diesel Prices and Mbalula’s Expropriation Lies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.10.2026

Mbeki’s Counter-Revolution Theory, Myburgh in Washington, and the 10 Million SA Left in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.10.2026

ECNOMICS

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Uncertainty is High as the 2026-27 Summer Crop Season Starts

Wandile Sihlobo writes on the risks facing South Africa’s new summer crop season, as favourable soil moisture conditions are offset by fears of an El Niño-induced drought and rising input costs.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

The Case for Deepening Chinese Commercial Investment in South Africa

ECONOMICS DESK

South African Parents Built Their Own School Bus System

ECONOMICS DESK

What the Low Fixed Investment Number Means for South Africa’s Future

ECONOMICS DESK

Explosive Maker Sells Out to India

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

LFE

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

The proportion of multiracial households has grown strongly in the last 20 years, reflecting how South Africa has changed.

STAFF WRITER

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

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Is Your TV Spying on You?

SPRTS

The Greatest Ever South Africa-Australia Combined Test XI

With South Africa and Australia renewing their historic Test rivalry at Kingsmead in Durban this weekend, The Common Sense has selected the greatest combined Test XI from the two countries, featuring some of cricket’s most extraordinary batting and bowling records.

SPORTS DESK