Voters Want ANC and DA to Work Together in Municipalities

Most South Africans want the GNU model to be replicated at municipal level.

POLITICS DESK

-

20.10.2026

SA’s Finances Are Improving, but Growth Remains a Problem, Says BLSA

STAFF WRITER -

20.10.2026

Editors Warn of Threats to Journalists Before 4 November Vote

STAFF WRITER -

20.10.2026

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

FRANS CRONJE -

20.10.2026

Wandile Sihlobo: South Africa Already Has a Plan to Grow Farming. It Was Never Implemented

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

20.10.2026

Moya Denies Cholera Claim as Tshwane Admits Water Negligence

STAFF WRITER

- 20.10.2026

Vodacom Faces Local Realities in Kenya

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

- 20.10.2026

Tourism a Good News Story – But Much More is Possible

STAFF WRITER

- 20.10.2026

What to Expect from Wednesday’s Mini-Budget

ECONOMICS DESK

- 20.10.2026

The Common Sense’s Diary – Can the ANC and DA Work Together?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 20.10.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Vote for Helen Zille in November

There is a convention that newspapers should not tell their readers who to vote for. In part because this newspaper is trying to upend that world, and in part because it intends to live up to its name, it is delighted to break that convention.

THABO MBEKI FOUNDATION

A Manufactured Decline

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation responds to The Common Sense, arguing that South Africa’s decline since 2008 was deliberately manufactured by forces inside and outside the state, and that the full story of its collapse has yet to be told.

PAULA SLIER

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

KOOS MALAN

Civilisationalists and Extinguishers

PLATFORM FOR AFRICAN DEMOCRATS

The Horror of a Russian Victory in Ukraine for Africa

KRIS VAN DER BIJL

Peter Hain’s Smuggler Kingpin: When the Author Becomes the Most Interesting Character

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? 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

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

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? 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

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

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? 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

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

Hill-Lewis Has Gained Among White and Coloured Voters, While Black Voters Have Not Moved

Last week we showed more voters liking the DA's new leader as they got to know him. Which voters are they? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

One in Four DA Voters Now Dislike Steenhuisen, Up From One in Ten

He led the DA into the GNU and handed over to Hill-Lewis in April. How do his own party's voters rate him now? 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

VIDES

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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

Wandile Sihlobo: The State Is Finally Handing Farmers the Title Deeds to Its Land

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

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

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

Wandile Sihlobo: The State Is Finally Handing Farmers the Title Deeds to Its Land

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

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

Commemorating October 7th

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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

VIEW ALL

Voters Want ANC and DA to Work Together in Municipalities

Most South Africans want the GNU model to be replicated at municipal level.

POLITICS DESK

Editors Warn of Threats to Journalists Before 4 November Vote

STAFF WRITER

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

FRANS CRONJE

Moya Denies Cholera Claim as Tshwane Admits Water Negligence

STAFF WRITER

The Common Sense’s Diary – Can the ANC and DA Work Together?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

By clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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Sign up to receive

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

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Alberta Referendum Puts Canada’s Unity to the Test

Canadian province holds plebiscite on independence.

FOREIGN DESK

Bolsonaro Leads Lula as Latin America Shifts Right

FOREIGN DESK

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

PAULA SLIER

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

The World’s Choices: Civilisation or Destruction

SIMON LINCOLN READER

PDCASTS

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Will Zuma's Death Boost MK? DA's Rubio Blunder, Guilfoyle, Ilhan Omar, the IMF, and the Mini-Budget

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg is Over the Edge, and the DA Won’t Stay in Power at All Costs

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.10.2026

Mlondi Mdluli: Township Businesses Don't Lack Ambition. Red Tape Is Locking Them Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: 95% Of Asylum Seekers Don't Qualify. So Why Aren't They Deported?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

Will Zuma's Death Boost MK? DA's Rubio Blunder, Guilfoyle, Ilhan Omar, the IMF, and the Mini-Budget

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.10.2026

Helen Zille: Johannesburg is Over the Edge, and the DA Won’t Stay in Power at All Costs

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.10.2026

Mlondi Mdluli: Township Businesses Don't Lack Ambition. Red Tape Is Locking Them Out

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.10.2026

Princy Mthombeni: 95% Of Asylum Seekers Don't Qualify. So Why Aren't They Deported?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.10.2026

ECNOMICS

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SA’s Finances Are Improving, but Growth Remains a Problem, Says BLSA

BLSA says government debt has peaked and fiscal discipline is paying off, but weak economic growth remains the biggest challenge.

STAFF WRITER

Tourism a Good News Story – But Much More is Possible

STAFF WRITER

Vodacom Faces Local Realities in Kenya

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

What to Expect from Wednesday’s Mini-Budget

ECONOMICS DESK

South Africa’s Agriculture Has a Plan to Unleash Growth, and It Must be Implemented

WANDILE SIHLOBO

LFE

Peter Hain’s Smuggler Kingpin: When the Author Becomes the Most Interesting Character

Peter Hain’s latest crime thriller is as revealing about its author as it is about the criminal underworld it depicts, with political commentary repeatedly intruding on an otherwise gripping story.

KRIS VAN DER BIJL

Peter Hain’s Smuggler Kingpin: When the Author Becomes the Most Interesting Character

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

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

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