Low Confidence Is Still Holding South Africa Back

Bheki Mahlobo writes on the long-term trend of consumer and business confidence in South Africa.

BHEKI MAHLOBO

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22.6.2026

The DA's Biggest Nightmare: South Africa Is Winning Without Them

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

22.6.2026

PEPFAR “Drawdown”: Latest Failure in US-SA Relations

STAFF WRITER -

22.6.2026

DA Candidate Murdered in Ward Where ANC Support Is Falling

WARWICK GREY -

22.6.2026

Trouble Brewing in the GNU on Three Fronts

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

22.6.2026

If Jo’burg Were Its Own Country It Would be Third-Richest Country in Africa

MARIUS ROODT

- 22.6.2026

The Most Popular Politician in South Africa Isn’t a Politician

STAFF WRITER

- 22.6.2026

South Africa Faces Tense Seven-Day Countdown to Anti-Immigration “Shutdown”

POLITICS DESK

- 22.6.2026

They're Destroying the Western Cape for "Green" Energy, Or Are They?

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 22.6.2026

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

- 21.6.2026

DAVID ANSARA

We Are Not The Same

David Ansara writes on the inevitability of inequality.

GIDEON JOUBERT

A Dead Whistleblower Has No Legal Remedies

South Africa's whistleblower protection framework assumes that those who come forward survive long enough to use it. That assumption is becoming harder to sustain.

BRIAN BENFIELD

South Africa's Immigration Debate Is Being Hijacked by Race Politics

SIMON LINCOLN READER

South Africa Produces Its First Bond Villain

ANDREW MORPHEW

South Africa’s FMD Plan Is Failing Because It Is Aiming at the Wrong Target

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Trollip, Beaumont, and Mashaba Are Quite Right: The GNU Has Failed South Africans

SHRTS

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PLLING

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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

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

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

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

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

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

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

Half Of US Workers Now Use AI At Work

Half of employed American adults — 50% — now say they use AI in their role

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC as Accountable as the DA

SRF polling conducted in late February and early March 2026 asked registered South African voters which political party they most associate with the phrase “provides accountability,” regardless of whom they currently support. This analysis focuses on the ANC, DA, and EFF, both overall and among Black registered voters.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

DA Rated More Positively Than FF+ in GNU Polling

Social Research Foundation polling shows that voters rate the Democratic Alliance more positively than the Freedom Front Plus in the Government of National Unity.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Social Media Leads TV Among Young Britons

YouGov polling conducted from 19 to 20 May 2026 asked United Kingdom (UK) adults which types of media they consume regularly, meaning at least once a week. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2 130 UK adults aged 18 and over.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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The DA's Biggest Nightmare: South Africa Is Winning Without Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.6.2026

They're Destroying the Western Cape for "Green" Energy, Or Are They?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.6.2026

How the US-Iran Deal Could Slash SA Petrol Prices.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

18.6.2026

South Africa’s Shadow State: How the Illicit Economy is Taking Over

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.6.2026

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

The DA's Biggest Nightmare: South Africa Is Winning Without Them

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.6.2026

They're Destroying the Western Cape for "Green" Energy, Or Are They?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

22.6.2026

How the US-Iran Deal Could Slash SA Petrol Prices.

THE COMMON SENSE

-

18.6.2026

South Africa’s Shadow State: How the Illicit Economy is Taking Over

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.6.2026

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.6.2026

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

PLITICS

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The DA's Biggest Nightmare: South Africa Is Winning Without Them

As South Africans increasingly organise outside the state, Frans Cronje argues the DA faces a new competitor: the enclave economy.

GABRIEL MAKIN

DA Candidate Murdered in Ward Where ANC Support Is Falling

WARWICK GREY

The Most Popular Politician in South Africa Isn’t a Politician

STAFF WRITER

South Africa Faces Tense Seven-Day Countdown to Anti-Immigration “Shutdown”

POLITICS DESK

What Happens Next in Ramaphosa’s Impeachment? Is It All Over?

WARWICK GREY

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The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

12.6.2026

Trump Claims Iran Deal Imminent Amid Entrapment Risks

GLBAL

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Europe’s Net-Zero Obsession Will Destroy the Cape

Europe’s net-zero rules force airlines and fuel suppliers to purchase high-cost greenwashed jet fuel, for which one of South Africa’s most sensitive ecological areas may be irreparably damaged.

WARWICK GREY