South Africans Split on Foreign Policy

Data from a new Social Research Foundation/The Common Sense poll show that South Africans are divided on what the country’s foreign policy priorities should be.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

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1.4.2026

Strong Growth in Overseas Visitor Numbers in Jan, Feb

ECON DESK -

1.4.2026

Miller Out, Brevis In, for Latest CSA Contract List

SPORTS DESK -

1.4.2026

Slight Drop in Child Poverty but Still High

STAFF WRITER -

1.4.2026

Proposal to Rebuild Parliament on Robben Island

NEWS DESK -

1.4.2026

The Iran War and the Limits of Modern Munitions

WARWICK GREY

- 1.4.2026

Will South Africa Run Out Of Petrol? - James Lorimer - Common Sense Conversations

GABRIEL MAKIN

- 1.4.2026

Big Jump in Fuel Prices Despite Government Intervention

NEWS DESK

- 31.3.2026

The Common Sense's Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 31.3.2026

DA Seen as Best at Working in Coalitions - Poll

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

- 31.3.2026

FRANS CRONJE

South Africa’s Strength Lies in Unity: Why Institutions Must Amplify Common Ground

Despite apparent divisions, South Africa’s shared values and trust offer a foundation for national success – an opportunity for influential institutions to shape the narrative toward unity and prosperity.

RW JOHNSON

Can Wars Only be Fought According to International Law?

RW Johnson writes on Keir Starmer's decision paralysis.

KOOS MALAN

John Steenhuisen and His Circle’s Anti-Constitutionalist and ANC-Light Misbehaviour

ANDRE PIENAAR

The Other Prize of Operation Epic Fury: A New Deal for Iran’s Minorities

RICHARD TREN

Washington Dispatch

SIMON LINCOLN READER

BBBEE and Global Warming – More in Common Than You Think

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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The Tragedy Of South Africa's Declining Marriage Rate

THE COMMON SENSE

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31.3.2026

Unpacking National Polling Results - The Common Sense Plus (Subscriber Only)

THE COMMON SENSE

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30.3.2026

Explaining South Africa's History Of Violent Crime

THE COMMON SENSE

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29.3.2026

Cuba's Imminent Collapse

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.3.2026

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

THE COMMON SENSE

-

26.3.2026

The Tragedy Of South Africa's Declining Marriage Rate

THE COMMON SENSE

-

31.3.2026

Unpacking National Polling Results - The Common Sense Plus (Subscriber Only)

THE COMMON SENSE

-

30.3.2026

Explaining South Africa's History Of Violent Crime

THE COMMON SENSE

-

29.3.2026

Cuba's Imminent Collapse

THE COMMON SENSE

-

28.3.2026

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

THE COMMON SENSE

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26.3.2026

The War on Iran

Oil Risk Recedes as Iran Says Hormuz is Open and Trump Says The End is in Sight

There is some good news for global energy prices after Iran signaled that Hormuz will open to Iran-friendly shipping and a message from Trump pointed to a US exit point from the war.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

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23.3.2026

Iranian Head of Basji Militia as well as Head of Supreme National Security Council Latest Dominoes to Fall

WARWICK GREY

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

FRANS CRONJE

How America and Israel are Dismantling Iran's Missile Arsenal

REINE OPPERMAN

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

FRANS CRONJE

Iranian Head of Basji Militia as well as Head of Supreme National Security Council Latest Dominoes to Fall

WARWICK GREY

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

FRANS CRONJE

How America and Israel are Dismantling Iran's Missile Arsenal

REINE OPPERMAN

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

FRANS CRONJE

PLITICS

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Slight Drop in Child Poverty but Still High

Six in ten South African children live in poverty.

STAFF WRITER

Proposal to Rebuild Parliament on Robben Island

NEWS DESK