The Common Sense - Independent News & Analysis

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

What are the real numbers about the economic progress of black people in South Africa since the end of apartheid?

REINE OPPERMAN

- 17.7.2026

ICC Exit, 15% Middle Class, 66% JSE Black Ownership, & Mettler State Capture

THE TALKING SENSE PODCAST -

17.7.2026

Make Local Administrations Work, Don’t Allow Politicisation, Says Hlabisa

STAFF WRITER -

17.7.2026

This Is What State Capture Actually Looks Like

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

17.7.2026

Does China’s Debt Problem Justify a Bet Against Beijing?

BHEKI MAHLOBO -

17.7.2026

South Africa’s Forensic Collapse: Rationed Justice for Some, None for Others

IAN CAMERON

- 17.7.2026

South African Pension Assets Among World’s Top 20 Biggest

STAFF WRITER

- 17.7.2026

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

WARWICK GREY

- 16.7.2026

Some Advice to Bishops

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 16.7.2026

America’s Most Toxic Export

WARWICK GREY

- 16.7.2026

ZIYAD MOTALA

Reply to Brian Benfield: The Argument Benfield Never Answered

Ziyad Motala says Brian Benfield mischaracterised his arguments around foreigners and migration.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Geopolitical and Weather Risks Add to SA Agriculture’s Challenges

Wandile Sihlobo writes on the risks facing South African agriculture for the rest of 2026.

FLIP BUYS

Liberals Must Become Conservative to Save Liberty

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Wrongheaded Constitutional Court Sets a Terrible Precedent

RICHARD TREN

The Idea of America

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Poll data show South Africans are marginally more like to align against the West than with it.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

Both nationally and in Johannesburg, voters are more inclined to associate the DA than the ANC with the idea of clean governance.

WARWICK GREY

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

In addition, a majority of people in most countries surveyed have a favourable view of the military alliance.

STAFF WRITER

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

The Common Sense, in partnership with the Social Research Foundation, measured voter opinion in three of South Africa’s metros — Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini. In each, respondents were asked whether the ANC and the DA were performing very well, quite well, quite poorly, or very poorly in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

New polling from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan US research organisation that tracks public attitudes and social trends, shows that working parents are struggling to keep family life and working life apart.

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Poll data show South Africans are marginally more like to align against the West than with it.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

Both nationally and in Johannesburg, voters are more inclined to associate the DA than the ANC with the idea of clean governance.

WARWICK GREY

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

In addition, a majority of people in most countries surveyed have a favourable view of the military alliance.

STAFF WRITER

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

The Common Sense, in partnership with the Social Research Foundation, measured voter opinion in three of South Africa’s metros — Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini. In each, respondents were asked whether the ANC and the DA were performing very well, quite well, quite poorly, or very poorly in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

New polling from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan US research organisation that tracks public attitudes and social trends, shows that working parents are struggling to keep family life and working life apart.

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Poll data show South Africans are marginally more like to align against the West than with it.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

Both nationally and in Johannesburg, voters are more inclined to associate the DA than the ANC with the idea of clean governance.

WARWICK GREY

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

In addition, a majority of people in most countries surveyed have a favourable view of the military alliance.

STAFF WRITER

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

The Common Sense, in partnership with the Social Research Foundation, measured voter opinion in three of South Africa’s metros — Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini. In each, respondents were asked whether the ANC and the DA were performing very well, quite well, quite poorly, or very poorly in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

New polling from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan US research organisation that tracks public attitudes and social trends, shows that working parents are struggling to keep family life and working life apart.

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Poll data show South Africans are marginally more like to align against the West than with it.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

Both nationally and in Johannesburg, voters are more inclined to associate the DA than the ANC with the idea of clean governance.

WARWICK GREY

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

In addition, a majority of people in most countries surveyed have a favourable view of the military alliance.

STAFF WRITER

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

The Common Sense, in partnership with the Social Research Foundation, measured voter opinion in three of South Africa’s metros — Johannesburg, Tshwane and eThekwini. In each, respondents were asked whether the ANC and the DA were performing very well, quite well, quite poorly, or very poorly in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

New polling from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan US research organisation that tracks public attitudes and social trends, shows that working parents are struggling to keep family life and working life apart.

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

VIDES

VIEW ALL

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.7.2026

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.7.2026

El Salvador Dropped Its Murder Rate by 98%, Since Then, Its Investment Rate Has Tripled

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.7.2026

Helen Zille: How 10 Bakkies Will Save Johannesburg.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.7.2026

How One London Building Reveals SA's Global Irrelevance

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.7.2026

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.7.2026

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.7.2026

El Salvador Dropped Its Murder Rate by 98%, Since Then, Its Investment Rate Has Tripled

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.7.2026

Helen Zille: How 10 Bakkies Will Save Johannesburg.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.7.2026

How One London Building Reveals SA's Global Irrelevance

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.7.2026

Scenarios: SA in 2034

South Africa in 2034: The Latest Scenarios

Advisory firm Frans Cronje Private Clients, in conjunction with The Common Sense, sketches three political scenarios for South Africa between today and 2034 each of which delivers a very different set of economic outcomes.

FRANS CRONJE AND BHEKI MAHLOBO

-

9.7.2026

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Make Local Administrations Work, Don’t Allow Politicisation, Says Hlabisa

Cooperative governance minister says cadre deployment is a part of the problem.

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Forensic Collapse: Rationed Justice for Some, None for Others

IAN CAMERON

South Africans Have Same Concerns Across Race and Political Spectrum

STAFF WRITER

The Enclavisation of South African Party Politics

POLITICS DESK

Afrikaners & The Rules Behind Schoolboy Rugby Quotas

STAFF WRITER

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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

-

20.6.2026

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

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

America’s Most Toxic Export

The furthest-left members of the United States Congress would sit as near-centrists in a legislature of American professors. New analysis of 45 years of campaign donation records shows the American academy is not merely liberal but ideologically uniform, and that carries a lesson for anyone who cites “the experts” as neutral authority.

WARWICK GREY

Activity on Northern Border Worries South Korea

FOREIGN DESK

Is Russia Winning the Information War in South Africa?

FOREIGN DESK

Is the World Wrong About Jihadism in Nigeria?

FOREIGN DESK

SA’s London Mission Closes as DIRCO Properties Fall into Disrepair

STAFF WRITER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

ICC Exit, 15% Middle Class, 66% JSE Black Ownership, & Mettler State Capture

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.7.2026

Trans Flags In Schools, Tony Leon "State Capture" Smear, Nigel Farage & SA's 2034 Future Scenarios

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.7.2026

Mandelson's Russia Scandal, ANC Polling Collapse, Steenhuisen vs Tony Leon, UK's Wealth Crisis & Joburg's Hidden Riches

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.7.2026

30 June March, Keir Starmer Resigns, the ARC Conference, and Is Johannesburg Better Than London?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.6.2026

ICC Exit, 15% Middle Class, 66% JSE Black Ownership, & Mettler State Capture

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.7.2026

Trans Flags In Schools, Tony Leon "State Capture" Smear, Nigel Farage & SA's 2034 Future Scenarios

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.7.2026

Mandelson's Russia Scandal, ANC Polling Collapse, Steenhuisen vs Tony Leon, UK's Wealth Crisis & Joburg's Hidden Riches

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.7.2026

30 June March, Keir Starmer Resigns, the ARC Conference, and Is Johannesburg Better Than London?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.6.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

What are the real numbers about the economic progress of black people in South Africa since the end of apartheid?

REINE OPPERMAN

South African Pension Assets Among World’s Top 20 Biggest

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Incredible Vanishing Mining Industry

WARWICK GREY

What New Car Sales Reveal About South Africa's Missing Middle Class

ECON DESK

Three Ways to Get South Africa’s Economic Growth Back on Track

ECON DESK

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

Afrikaners & The Rules Behind Schoolboy Rugby Quotas

A reader challenged The Common Sense’s argument that the Paul Roos v Paarl Gim rugby derby is a far more accurate reflection of school sport than the impression created by the Bokkieweek tournament last week.

STAFF WRITER

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

ICC Exit, 15% Middle Class, 66% JSE Black Ownership, & Mettler State Capture

Make Local Administrations Work, Don’t Allow Politicisation, Says Hlabisa

This Is What State Capture Actually Looks Like

Does China’s Debt Problem Justify a Bet Against Beijing?

South Africa’s Forensic Collapse: Rationed Justice for Some, None for Others

South African Pension Assets Among World’s Top 20 Biggest

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

Some Advice to Bishops

America’s Most Toxic Export

Reply to Brian Benfield: The Argument Benfield Never Answered

Geopolitical and Weather Risks Add to SA Agriculture’s Challenges

Liberals Must Become Conservative to Save Liberty

Wrongheaded Constitutional Court Sets a Terrible Precedent

Dispatch from Washington

The Idea of America

SHRTS

PLLING

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

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

What South Africans Want from Foreign Policy

Polling Reveals Why the DA (Through Tony Leon) Was Targeted

More Than Half of Americans View NATO Favourably

Across Three Metros, the DA is Judged the Better GNU Partner

Working Mothers Carry the Heaviest Load

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

VIDES

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

El Salvador Dropped Its Murder Rate by 98%, Since Then, Its Investment Rate Has Tripled

Helen Zille: How 10 Bakkies Will Save Johannesburg.

How One London Building Reveals SA's Global Irrelevance

The Truth About Black Economic Progress in South Africa

The Rogue GNU Claims Another Scalp in Tshwane.

El Salvador Dropped Its Murder Rate by 98%, Since Then, Its Investment Rate Has Tripled

Helen Zille: How 10 Bakkies Will Save Johannesburg.

How One London Building Reveals SA's Global Irrelevance

Scenarios: SA in 2034

South Africa in 2034: The Latest Scenarios

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

PLITICS

Make Local Administrations Work, Don’t Allow Politicisation, Says Hlabisa

South Africa’s Forensic Collapse: Rationed Justice for Some, None for Others

South Africans Have Same Concerns Across Race and Political Spectrum

The Enclavisation of South African Party Politics