The World’s Choices: Civilisation or Destruction

The awarding of two different Nobel Prizes shows how the world is split into the forces of destruction and civilisation.

SIMON LINCOLN READER

-

16.10.2026

Three in Four Voters Over 65 Now View the ANC Unfavourably

POLLING CORRESPONDENT -

16.10.2026

NPA and Police Deny Warrants for March and March Leaders

STAFF WRITER -

16.10.2026

UCT Should Reject the Punishment of Dissent

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

16.10.2026

AI Data Centres Could Help Break South Africa’s Low Growth Trap

DAVID CHRISTIANSON -

16.10.2026

Expect a Very Good Mini-Budget Next Week

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 16.10.2026

South Africa Is Running Out of Room to Raise Taxes

ECONOMICS DESK

- 16.10.2026

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

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 16.10.2026

British PM Rules Out Coalition with Greens Over Antisemitic Policy

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

- 15.10.2026

South Africa Better Prepared for Major Drought as El Niño Threat Grows

ECONOMICS DESK

- 15.10.2026

JACO KLEYNHANS

South Africa Has the Ingredients for an Industrial Revival

South Africa has the resources, workforce, and industrial capacity to become a manufacturing powerhouse, but reversing decades of decline will require major policy reforms.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

November Will Be Rough, But an Encouraging Future Lies Ahead

The latest polling ahead of November's local elections points towards political deadlock across much of South Africa. The consequences may frighten and disappoint voters who had hoped for decisive political change. But they need to understand that the consequences will also further open the way to an alternative, and potentially very good, future for all South Africans, albeit one very different to what South Africa has been conditioned to hope for.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

South Africa’s Race Relations Are Stronger Than Many Believe

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Uncertainty is High as the 2026-27 Summer Crop Season Starts

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

VIEW ALL

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

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

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

Cape Town Just Beat Race-Based Procurement at the Constitutional Court

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.9.2026

Commemorating October 7th

VIEW ALL

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

NPA and Police Deny Warrants for March and March Leaders

The movement said its founder and her husband would be jailed to disrupt the election; prosecutors say no warrant exists and police can find no case.

STAFF WRITER

UCT Should Reject the Punishment of Dissent

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Military Cancels “Invalid” Cuban Contract

STAFF WRITER

Government Moves to Stop Illegal Occupation of 2 000 Hectares in Western Cape

POLITICS DESK

Constitutional Court Hands ANC Major Victory Ahead of Local Elections

STAFF WRITER

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The Common Sense

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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

VIEW ALL

The World’s Choices: Civilisation or Destruction

The awarding of two different Nobel Prizes shows how the world is split into the forces of destruction and civilisation.

SIMON LINCOLN READER

British PM Rules Out Coalition with Greens Over Antisemitic Policy

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Dispatch from Washington

RICHARD TREN

The Global Economy Keeps Defying the Wars, Tariffs, and Pessimists

ECON DESK

When the Facts Don't Fit the Story

PAULA SLIER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

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

David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

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

David Ansara: Why America's Five Asks Would Free South Africans, and the ANC Won't Budge

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.10.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

AI Data Centres Could Help Break South Africa’s Low Growth Trap

How the global data-centre boom could save South Africa.

DAVID CHRISTIANSON

South Africa Is Running Out of Room to Raise Taxes

ECONOMICS DESK

South Africa Better Prepared for Major Drought as El Niño Threat Grows

ECONOMICS DESK

South Africa Has the Ingredients for an Industrial Revival

JACO KLEYNHANS

Cape Town Pushes Ahead with F1 Plans Despite Rwanda Securing Grand Prix

SPORTS DESK

LFE

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

The proportion of multiracial households has grown strongly in the last 20 years, reflecting how South Africa has changed.

STAFF WRITER

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

Young Women May Be Making a Mistake They Cannot Undo

Is Your TV Spying on You?

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