The Common Sense - Independent News & Analysis

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

- 6.10.2026

New Poll Shows DA on Track to be Biggest in Gauteng but Jo’burg Mayoralty Out of Reach

POLITICS DESK -

6.10.2026

Global Diesel Squeeze Sends SA Fuel Prices to Record High

STAFF WRITER -

6.10.2026

Meservey Warns Pretoria Faces Next US Step

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU -

6.10.2026

ANC Lies to the US About Expropriation Without Compensation

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

6.10.2026

The Common Sense’s Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 6.10.2026

South Africa Faces Smallest Wheat Harvest in Eight Years

WANDILE SIHLOBO

- 6.10.2026

South Africa's Tax Base is Barely Growing, But Women are Gaining Ground

ECONOMICS DESK

- 6.10.2026

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi: South Africans Must Stop Waiting For The State To Save Them

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 6.10.2026

Political Killings Surge as South Africa Heads Towards Local Elections

STAFF WRITER

- 5.10.2026

FIKILE MBALULA

Between Candour and Coercion — Why South Africa Will Not Bend to Washington’s Dictates

We welcome candour, even when it arrives with a visa restriction policy attached. It is better to engage with an honest expression of the American administration’s position than to sustain a diplomatic fiction that serves neither country.

OMRY MAKGOALE

Incumbents at Luthuli House are Killing the ANC

Omry Makgoale writes on how factional battles inside the ANC are turning electoral incompetence into political self-destruction.

DARYL SWANEPOEL

Testing the Limits of South Africa’s Most Likely Future

IVOR BLUMENTHAL

Broken by Design? How Johannesburg Turned Service Failure into a Growth Industry

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

PAULA SLIER

Elections are Not Won On Voting Day

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

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

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 Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? 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

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

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 Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? 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

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

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 Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? 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

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

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 Dislike the EFF Than Like It

How do voters feel about the EFF, and has that changed? We have the answers, visualised for free just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Zuma and the MK Party Are Back Where They Started

Has anything changed for Jacob Zuma and his party since early last year? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Voters Are Paying More Attention to the Election. DA Voters Are Paying Less.

Who is thinking about November, and who has stopped? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Say South Africa Is Going the Wrong Way

Has anything changed the national mood since the coalition took office? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Think More of the GNU Than of Either Party In It

Have voters turned on the Government of National Unity, or on the party leading it? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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The Common Sense's Latest Scenarios: Reform Now Less Likely

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.10.2026

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

The Common Sense's Latest Scenarios: Reform Now Less Likely

THE COMMON SENSE

-

5.10.2026

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

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

Craig Pantanowitz writes on why, three years after October 7, South African Jews will not apologise for standing with Israel or challenging conspiracies that seek to turn Jewish victims into villains.

CRAIG PANTANOWITZ

-

6.10.2026

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

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

BENJI SHULMAN

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

GABRIEL MAKIN

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

GABRIEL MAKIN

What Survives Beyond the Debate

RAPHAEL REHBOCK

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

BENJI SHULMAN

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

GABRIEL MAKIN

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

GABRIEL MAKIN

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

New Poll Shows DA on Track to be Biggest in Gauteng but Jo’burg Mayoralty Out of Reach

New polling by SABI and News24 aligns with The Common Sense and Social Research Foundation findings ahead of next month’s local government elections.

POLITICS DESK

Political Killings Surge as South Africa Heads Towards Local Elections

STAFF WRITER

DA Delivers Warning about Unsafe Jo’burg Bridges

STAFF WRITER

Brink Warns Tshwane Infrastructure Left Exposed

STAFF WRITER

Three Strikes and You’re Out as Far as We Were Concerned, US Tells SA

NEWS DESK

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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

daily mailer

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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This is What Families Must do to Survive a Future South Africa

The Common Sense’s guide to South Africa's enclave future.

FRANS CRONJE

-

2.10.2026

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

Only Upsides for SA’s Middle Classes if They Do These Things

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

Only Upsides for SA’s Middle Classes if They Do These Things

FRANS CRONJE

GLBAL

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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

VIEW ALL

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi: South Africans Must Stop Waiting For The State To Save Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.10.2026

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Reflects on Three Years Since October 7

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi: South Africans Must Stop Waiting For The State To Save Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

6.10.2026

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

THE COMMON SENSE

-

3.10.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Global Diesel Squeeze Sends SA Fuel Prices to Record High

South African motorists and businesses are set for another severe fuel shock on Wednesday, with both petrol and diesel heading to record levels.

STAFF WRITER

South Africa Faces Smallest Wheat Harvest in Eight Years

WANDILE SIHLOBO

South Africa's Tax Base is Barely Growing, But Women are Gaining Ground

ECONOMICS DESK

Eskom Passes 500 Days Without Loadshedding

ECONOMICS DESK

This is Why the Diesel Price is So High

ECONOMICS DESK

LFE

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Under the influence of progressive, or woke, ideology women have been taught to see marriage and motherhood as threats to independence, and as a consequence, Western women are marrying later, having fewer children, and increasingly rejecting motherhood altogether. Many only realise the costs of those mistakes once they are too late to reverse.

CULTURE CORRESPONDENT

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Is Your TV Spying on You?

Stick to the Bible at Mass

SPRTS

South Africa to Open 2027 Cricket World Cup Against New Zealand

The Proteas will begin their 2027 Cricket World Cup campaign against New Zealand as South Africa prepares to co-host the tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

SPORTS DESK