Is the DA Really (Deeply, Truly) Interested in Fixing SA?

Three intersecting events converge to ask a tough question about the DA and its new leadership. These start with the proposed new school history curriculum, extend across the country’s farms, and end up in Cape Town.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

26.4.2026

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN -

26.4.2026

Nobody is Coming to Save Us

DAVID ANSARA -

26.4.2026

The Scandal of SAA

RW JOHNSON -

26.4.2026

Expropriation, Land Reform And Agriculture - Wandile Sihlobo

CONVERSATIONS WITH GABRIEL -

26.4.2026

The Role of the Palestinians in the Holocaust

BENJI SHULMAN

- 25.4.2026

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake

JAMES MYBURGH

- 25.4.2026

Mobile Betting Takes Off: The New Digital Age of Gambling in South Africa

NEWS DESK

- 25.4.2026

Zuma and Starmer: More Alike Than You Think

SIMON LINCOLN READER

- 25.4.2026

Talking Sense About Geordin Hill-Lewis In The Cabinet, Legacy Media Doom-Mongers And Mandelson

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 25.4.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Is the DA Going to Exit the GNU?

The future of South Africa’s Government of National Unity is under growing scrutiny as shifts within the Democratic Alliance raise the prospect of a more conditional, and potentially fragile, governing arrangement – while the implications of a DA exit could be severe.

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

The Problem with SA Foreign Policy – Moral Equivalence and Selective Ambivalence

Ray Hartley and Greg Mills on the historical roots of South Africa’s muddled foreign policy.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Why the Woke Right Threatens Everything It Claims to Defend

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Zero-Tariff China Access Demands Investment Pivot

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Mr Meyer Goes to Washington

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

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24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.4.2026

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

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16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

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15.4.2026

Predatory Crime In SA

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

In this Special Report, The Common Sense explains the origins and the extent of the crime category that South Africans fear the most: predatory crime.

REINE OPPERMAN

-

21.4.2026

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

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

-

20.4.2026

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

PLITICS

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The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake

James Myburgh writes on the unexamined political roots of post-apartheid crime and violence.

JAMES MYBURGH

ANC, EFF Link Up To Govern Kimberley

POLITICS DESK

Party Funders, This is How Much a Vote Costs

POLITICS DESK

Easy Day Out for DA in WC By-Elections

POLITICS DESK

Divorces Up, Marriages Down in Latest National Data

NEWS DESK

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Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

GLBAL

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Iran’s Proxy War in the UK

A wave of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London has sparked an investigation into possible Iranian proxy involvement. British authorities are now examining whether these incidents are being orchestrated by Tehran.

WARWICK GREY

Number of US Scientists Missing or Dead – Who is Behind It?

FOREIGN DESK

Southern Poverty Law Centre: Fighting Racism or Funding It?

WARWICK GREY

Mediators Press Iran and US to Return to Talks Amid Hormuz Standoff

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Iran Fires on Commercial Shipping at Hormuz

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

PDCASTS

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Expropriation, Land Reform And Agriculture - Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

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26.4.2026

Talking Sense About Geordin Hill-Lewis In The Cabinet, Legacy Media Doom-Mongers And Mandelson

THE COMMON SENSE

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25.4.2026

Why The ANC Lost The 2024 Election - Premium Subscriber Content

THE COMMON SENSE

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24.4.2026

The Definitive Podcast On Farm Murders - Dr James Myburgh - Conversations With Gabriel

THE COMMON SENSE

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20.4.2026

Expropriation, Land Reform And Agriculture - Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

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26.4.2026

Talking Sense About Geordin Hill-Lewis In The Cabinet, Legacy Media Doom-Mongers And Mandelson

THE COMMON SENSE

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25.4.2026

Why The ANC Lost The 2024 Election - Premium Subscriber Content

THE COMMON SENSE

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24.4.2026

The Definitive Podcast On Farm Murders - Dr James Myburgh - Conversations With Gabriel

THE COMMON SENSE

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20.4.2026

ECNOMICS

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Mobile Betting Takes Off: The New Digital Age of Gambling in South Africa

New figures from Discovery Bank and Visa show that three-quarters of surveyed South Africans now bet, and that more than half of them place their bets exclusively online.

NEWS DESK