We Want to Take This Journey with You

This week, The Common Sense published its first practical guide to what families need to do if they are to survive and thrive in the country South Africa is becoming.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

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16.9.2026

Municipalities on a Knife Edge: This is Where the Most Hung Councils Will Be After November’s Elections

POLITICS DESK -

16.9.2026

Sakeliga Defeats BEE Licensing Requirement in Property Sector

STAFF WRITER -

16.9.2026

The Massive Election Problem No One Is Talking About

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

16.9.2026

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

FRANS CRONJE -

15.9.2026

Et Tu, COSATU?

POLITICS DESK

- 15.9.2026

Ramaphosa Pushes for Direct Flights to Strengthen Trade with India

STAFF WRITER

- 15.9.2026

Constitution or Tradition: Court Rules in New Battle

POLITICS DESK

- 15.9.2026

Is the Mashatile Campaign Dead?

POLITICS DESK

- 15.9.2026

The DA Becomes a Black Party

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 15.9.2026

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Kenya Should Remove the Restrictions on GMO Maize Imports

Wandile Sihlobo explains how Kenya’s ban on genetically modified maize imports risks turning a drought driven shortage into a deeper food security crisis.

MAHAN

The Architects of Perception: Soviet Defectors and the Anatomy of Active Measures

It is timely to publish a reminder from history that in the world of global politics nothing should be taken at face value.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Ernst Roets is Doing a Good Thing on Farm Murders

RICHARD WILKINSON

How Racial Ideology Continues to Poison the University of Cape Town

MAHAN

The Captured Liberation: Ideological Subversion and the Deindustrialisation of South Africa’s ANC

PAULA SLIER

Could AI Fakes Influence SA’s Election?

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

Enclaves Are Not Just a Suburban Story

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Favourability Among Voters by Level of Education Completed

Does how far you went in school change how you see the ANC? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Black Voters Are the Least Likely to Say They're Personally Sympathetic to Immigrants

We asked voters directly whether they feel personal sympathy toward foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Wins Older Voters, the ANC Wins the Middle-Aged

We asked voters how they would vote if an election were held today, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Three in Ten ANC Voters Say Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Are No More Hopeful Than They Were in March

We asked voters whether the country is on the right track, twice in four months, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Enclaves Are Not Just a Suburban Story

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Favourability Among Voters by Level of Education Completed

Does how far you went in school change how you see the ANC? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Black Voters Are the Least Likely to Say They're Personally Sympathetic to Immigrants

We asked voters directly whether they feel personal sympathy toward foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Wins Older Voters, the ANC Wins the Middle-Aged

We asked voters how they would vote if an election were held today, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Three in Ten ANC Voters Say Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Are No More Hopeful Than They Were in March

We asked voters whether the country is on the right track, twice in four months, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Enclaves Are Not Just a Suburban Story

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Favourability Among Voters by Level of Education Completed

Does how far you went in school change how you see the ANC? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Black Voters Are the Least Likely to Say They're Personally Sympathetic to Immigrants

We asked voters directly whether they feel personal sympathy toward foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Wins Older Voters, the ANC Wins the Middle-Aged

We asked voters how they would vote if an election were held today, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Three in Ten ANC Voters Say Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Are No More Hopeful Than They Were in March

We asked voters whether the country is on the right track, twice in four months, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Enclaves Are Not Just a Suburban Story

We asked voters whether their own communities have taken over what government is meant to do, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Favourability Among Voters by Level of Education Completed

Does how far you went in school change how you see the ANC? We have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Black Voters Are the Least Likely to Say They're Personally Sympathetic to Immigrants

We asked voters directly whether they feel personal sympathy toward foreign immigrants, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Wins Older Voters, the ANC Wins the Middle-Aged

We asked voters how they would vote if an election were held today, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only Three in Ten ANC Voters Say Ramaphosa Is Innocent

We asked voters what they make of the Phala Phala allegations, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Are No More Hopeful Than They Were in March

We asked voters whether the country is on the right track, twice in four months, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

The DA Is the Best-Rated Party in the GNU

We asked voters how each governing party is performing in the Government of National Unity, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Have Given the November Elections a Lot of Thought

We asked voters how much thought they have given to the local government elections, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Retired Voters Are the Most Likely to Say Life Has Got Worse

We asked voters whether their standard of living has changed since the GNU was formed, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

The Massive Election Problem No One Is Talking About

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.9.2026

The Economics of Domestic Workers

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.9.2026

How To Thrive In South Africa's Enclave Future: (Members Special)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.9.2026

One Hundred Municipalities Won’t Have a Majority

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.9.2026

The DA Declared R104m in Donations. The ANC, MKP, and EFF: R0

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.9.2026

The Massive Election Problem No One Is Talking About

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.9.2026

The Economics of Domestic Workers

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.9.2026

How To Thrive In South Africa's Enclave Future: (Members Special)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.9.2026

One Hundred Municipalities Won’t Have a Majority

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.9.2026

The DA Declared R104m in Donations. The ANC, MKP, and EFF: R0

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.9.2026

Thriving in SA’s enclaves

VIEW ALL

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

-

15.9.2026

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

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Municipalities on a Knife Edge: This is Where the Most Hung Councils Will Be After November’s Elections

An analysis conducted by The Common Sense shows that up to two thirds of South Africa's local municipalities could see no party win 50% of the vote in the upcoming November local government election.

POLITICS DESK

Sakeliga Defeats BEE Licensing Requirement in Property Sector

STAFF WRITER

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

FRANS CRONJE

Et Tu, COSATU?

POLITICS DESK

Ramaphosa Pushes for Direct Flights to Strengthen Trade with India

STAFF WRITER

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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.

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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.

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

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Special Report: Election 2026 — The Latest Polling

The latest polling from the SRF and The Common Sense reveals where South Africans stand ahead of the November 2026 local elections, from party support and presidential succession to the GNU, immigration, corruption, and expropriation.

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

15.8.2026

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

POLITICS DESK

Is the “Third Force” Back – And Driving Political Change in South Africa?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

STAFF WRITER

What the ANC’s Terminal Decline Means for the Future of South Africa

FRANS CRONJE

The ANC Still Has a Way Back

POLITICS DESK

Is the “Third Force” Back – And Driving Political Change in South Africa?

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

This Is Who Black South Africans Want to Vote For

STAFF WRITER

What the ANC’s Terminal Decline Means for the Future of South Africa

FRANS CRONJE

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

The Architects of Perception: Soviet Defectors and the Anatomy of Active Measures

It is timely to publish a reminder from history that in the world of global politics nothing should be taken at face value.

MAHAN

Farm Attack Survivors to Take Their Stories to Washington

STAFF WRITER

No Sunshine if Ukraine Falls

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

Far-Right AfD Nearly Wins German State Outright

FOREIGN DESK

How Long Can You Choose Not to Choose?

PAULA SLIER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

South Africa's Election Maths Problem, the Black Vote Shatters, the Falklands, and Wouter Basson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.9.2026

A Severe Drought is Coming for South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.9.2026

Milei's Argentina, the US Bond Spike, SA's Strange Crime Stats, and Nike Going Woke

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

South Africa's $1 Billion Neighbour

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.9.2026

South Africa's Election Maths Problem, the Black Vote Shatters, the Falklands, and Wouter Basson

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.9.2026

A Severe Drought is Coming for South Africa

THE COMMON SENSE

-

9.9.2026

Milei's Argentina, the US Bond Spike, SA's Strange Crime Stats, and Nike Going Woke

THE COMMON SENSE

-

4.9.2026

South Africa's $1 Billion Neighbour

THE COMMON SENSE

-

2.9.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Kenya Should Remove the Restrictions on GMO Maize Imports

Wandile Sihlobo explains how Kenya’s ban on genetically modified maize imports risks turning a drought driven shortage into a deeper food security crisis.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

Mahlobo Expects Rate Hikes in the US and Japan This Week

ECONOMICS DESK

South African Cherries Win Duty-Free Access to China

NEWS DESK

A South African Woman is Six Times More Likely to be Murdered Than the Global Average. Unbelievably, Men Are at Still Greater Risk

ECON DESK

The US Data Centre Wars Come to South Africa

BENJI SHULMAN

LFE

Is Your TV Spying on You?

You think you’re watching your TV? It is probably watching you.

NEWS DESK

Is Your TV Spying on You?

Stick to the Bible at Mass

Your Retirement Savings Are Held Hostage by an Outdated Checklist

SPRTS

The Common Sense’s Diary: A Summer Night’s Eve in Baltimore

The Common Sense was amongst 68 173 spectators who made up the largest stadium audience in American rugby history when the Springboks crushed the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday evening.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD