Internal ANC Factional Battles and ANC Splits

From the PAC to COPE, the EFF, and MKP, ANC factional battles have repeatedly produced splinter parties. Omry Makgoale argues that corruption and struggles for state power are driving the party’s fragmentation.

OMRY MAKGOALE

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21.10.2026

BEE Makes a Few Rich, Costs South Africa Far More

STAFF WRITER -

21.10.2026

Saldanha: Another New Beginning?

JADE DAVENPORT -

21.10.2026

Hill-Lewis Calls for Record Turnout After Mitchells Plain Stay

STAFF WRITER -

21.10.2026

SARB Rate Hike Looms as Fuel Costs Lift SA Inflation to 4.5%

ECONOMICS DESK -

21.10.2026

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 21.10.2026

Bozell Says South Africa Could Be One of the Biggest Economies on Earth

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 21.10.2026

South Africans Back Cooperation Between AfriForum and March and March

POLITICS CORRESPONDENT

- 21.10.2026

Black and White, ANC and DA, We Can Build a Great Country

EDITORIAL BOARD

- 21.10.2026

Everything Turns on Whether ActionSA’s Polling Numbers are Right

RICHARD WILKINSON

- 21.10.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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

A wild set of numbers, forget the rats and mice, only one deal makes sense – in theory, Hill-Lewis could take control and drag Cyril Ramaphosa along, in practice it is a house of ill repute, a pity for the union, enclaves lie ahead.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

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

South Africa has a plan to unlock agricultural growth. The challenge is to implement it, rather than start again from scratch.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Vote for Helen Zille in November

THABO MBEKI FOUNDATION

A Manufactured Decline

PAULA SLIER

Ethiopia and Eritrea Risk Another Devastating War

KOOS MALAN

Civilisationalists and Extinguishers

SHRTS

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PLLING

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More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

More Voters Think South Africa is on The Right Track Than in 2022

Polling since 2022 shows how voters judge the direction the country is taking. Is the mood brighter than it was?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

White and Coloured Voters are Far Less Gloomy About South Africa Than in 2022

The national mood is brighter than it was in 2022. Whose outlook has changed most, and how do population groups compare today?

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

VIDES

VIEW ALL

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

Thriving in SA’s enclaves

VIEW ALL

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

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

BEE Makes a Few Rich, Costs South Africa Far More

A new IRR report argues that BEE has enriched a politically connected elite at the expense of investment, economic growth, and employment opportunities for millions of poorer South Africans.

STAFF WRITER

Hill-Lewis Calls for Record Turnout After Mitchells Plain Stay

STAFF WRITER

Alberta Voters Deliver Crushing Defeat to Separatist Movement

STAFF WRITER

Everything Turns on Whether ActionSA’s Polling Numbers are Right

RICHARD WILKINSON

South Africans Back Cooperation Between AfriForum and March and March

POLITICS CORRESPONDENT

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The Common Sense

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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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Bozell Says South Africa Could Be One of the Biggest Economies on Earth

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.10.2026

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

Bozell Says South Africa Could Be One of the Biggest Economies on Earth

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.10.2026

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

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Saldanha: Another New Beginning?

Three decades of industrial promises have left Saldanha’s potential largely unrealised. Can a new port agreement finally unlock investment and jobs, or will history repeat itself?

JADE DAVENPORT

SARB Rate Hike Looms as Fuel Costs Lift SA Inflation to 4.5%

ECONOMICS DESK

South Africa Should Not Rely on Future Mining Windfalls

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

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

STAFF WRITER

Tourism a Good News Story – But Much More is Possible

STAFF WRITER

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