America’s Mistake on South Africa

To the extent that Washington doubles down on an Afrikaner-focused policy towards South Africa, it risks alienating mainstream conservative South African opinion while ultimately failing to serve the interests of the very community it seeks to support.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

21.8.2026

The ANC's Two Eras, The Water Bill, Shell, Jason Arday, SA's Verdict on US Companies

THE TALKING SENSE PODCAST -

21.8.2026

Get Growth Going to Stop Your Loved Ones Leaving, Says IRR

STAFF WRITER -

21.8.2026

Don’t Compromise with Socialists

DAVID ANSARA -

21.8.2026

South Africa’s Rail Collapse Was the Taxi Industry's Gain

ECON DESK -

21.8.2026

White South Africans Agree – Violence and Unemployment Affect Everyone

STAFF WRITER

- 21.8.2026

Could MK Lead South Africa? The One Mistake That Sank the ANC and the EFF

FRANS CRONJE

- 20.8.2026

Is THIS How We Deal with Abusive Local Governments?

STAFF WRITER

- 20.8.2026

Veteran Academic Breaks Ranks to Endorse Zille

NEWS DESK

- 20.8.2026

Rainbow MAGA and What It Means

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

- 20.8.2026

MIKE FLAX

Proposed New Development in Cape Town Tests Public Participation and Rational Decision-Making

Mike Flax, chair of the King David Mowbray Golf Club, writes on moves by Cape Town to develop the historic golf course and what it could mean for other South African cities.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

The poor are voting with their feet, the richest people are keeping them poor, climate activists are sustaining the legacy of apartheid, the Europeans are racist, South Africa’s government has no self-respect in tolerating that, the DA and ANC are both wrong, SA could have been a global top-20 oil and gas producer, now the richest are scared of what they’ve done, MKP could be the answer, it has one very strong card in its favour already.

WANDILE SIHLOBO

The Likely AGOA Extension is Positive for South Africa’s Agriculture

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Real Deep Insight – Black South Africans and Trump’s America

DAVID ANSARA

The Comrades Marathon Goes It Alone

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch From Washington

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

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

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Think South Africa Would Improve Without Ramaphosa Than Worsen

We asked voters what would happen to the country if Cyril Ramaphosa left office, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Would Guarantee US Firms Against Expropriation

We asked voters whether American investments should be protected from being taken by the state, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Malema Is South Africa's Most Unpopular Politician

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's leading opposition figures, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

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

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Think South Africa Would Improve Without Ramaphosa Than Worsen

We asked voters what would happen to the country if Cyril Ramaphosa left office, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Would Guarantee US Firms Against Expropriation

We asked voters whether American investments should be protected from being taken by the state, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Malema Is South Africa's Most Unpopular Politician

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's leading opposition figures, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

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

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Think South Africa Would Improve Without Ramaphosa Than Worsen

We asked voters what would happen to the country if Cyril Ramaphosa left office, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Would Guarantee US Firms Against Expropriation

We asked voters whether American investments should be protected from being taken by the state, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Malema Is South Africa's Most Unpopular Politician

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's leading opposition figures, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Seven in Ten Voters Blame Immigrants for Taking Jobs

We asked voters whether foreign immigrants are taking jobs from South Africans, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Four in Five Say Communities Are Doing Government's Job

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

Ramaphosa's Unfavourability Outstrips His Support

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's most senior ANC politicians, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Two Thirds of Voters Back an ANC–DA Coalition

We asked voters whether the ANC and DA should govern together where neither wins a majority, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Only One in Eight Voters Believe Ramaphosa Is Innocent

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

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Voters Warn Against Swapping the DA for the EFF and MKP

We asked voters what would happen if the DA were pushed out of the GNU and replaced by the EFF and MKP, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

More Voters Think South Africa Would Improve Without Ramaphosa Than Worsen

We asked voters what would happen to the country if Cyril Ramaphosa left office, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Half of Voters Would Guarantee US Firms Against Expropriation

We asked voters whether American investments should be protected from being taken by the state, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Malema Is South Africa's Most Unpopular Politician

We asked voters how warmly they feel about South Africa's leading opposition figures, and we have the answers, visualised just for you.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Could MK Lead South Africa? The One Mistake That Sank the ANC and the EFF

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

The Two South Africas: 10% Unemployment for Graduates, 40% for Everyone Else

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Someone Is Faking Our Polls

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

New Poll: The DA Leads in Pretoria as ANC Support Collapses to 32%

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.8.2026

Could MK Lead South Africa? The One Mistake That Sank the ANC and the EFF

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

How Oil and Gas Could Have Cut South Africa's Unemployment From 33% to 20%

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.8.2026

The Two South Africas: 10% Unemployment for Graduates, 40% for Everyone Else

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Someone Is Faking Our Polls

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

New Poll: The DA Leads in Pretoria as ANC Support Collapses to 32%

THE COMMON SENSE

-

13.8.2026

LGE 2026: Latest Polling

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

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Get Growth Going to Stop Your Loved Ones Leaving, Says IRR

South Africans leave the country for better economic opportunities, not because of racial tensions.

STAFF WRITER

Don’t Compromise with Socialists

DAVID ANSARA

White South Africans Agree – Violence and Unemployment Affect Everyone

STAFF WRITER

Is THIS How We Deal with Abusive Local Governments?

STAFF WRITER

Veteran Academic Breaks Ranks to Endorse Zille

NEWS DESK

LISTEN NOW

LISTEN NOW

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

Scenarios: SA in 2034

South Africa in 2034: The Latest Scenarios

Advisory firm Frans Cronje Private Clients, in conjunction with The Common Sense, sketches three political scenarios for South Africa between today and 2034 each of which delivers a very different set of economic outcomes.

FRANS CRONJE AND BHEKI MAHLOBO

-

31.7.2026

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

Why South Africa is Too Uncertain Now for Forecast

STAFF WRITER

South Africa’s Path Back to a 4% Rate of Economic Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

The ANC Can Get Back to a Majority – and Democratically Too

POLITICS DESK

This is What Will Happen to South Africa by 2034 (We Are Almost Sure)

STAFF WRITER

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Dispatch From Washington

Richard Tren writes on the view from Washington on the latest global developments.

RICHARD TREN

Fire on the Point — Quis Nisi Nos?

GREG MILLS

Young Africans Like Trump Even Though They Do Not Trust Him

WARWICK GREY

The Chinese Are Keeping Dogs – Posing a New Threat to Beijing

FOREIGN DESK

Terrorist Attacks on Berlin Pride a Warning About Terror Groups in Europe

STAFF WRITER

PDCASTS

VIEW ALL

The ANC's Two Eras, The Water Bill, Shell, Jason Arday, SA's Verdict on US Companies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.8.2026

What Happens to Pretoria if the DA Wins Back Tshwane?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Every Chart That Decides South Africa's 2026 Election

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

America is extending AGOA. What SA Farmers Actually Get — with Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

The ANC's Two Eras, The Water Bill, Shell, Jason Arday, SA's Verdict on US Companies

THE COMMON SENSE

-

21.8.2026

What Happens to Pretoria if the DA Wins Back Tshwane?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

19.8.2026

Every Chart That Decides South Africa's 2026 Election

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

America is extending AGOA. What SA Farmers Actually Get — with Wandile Sihlobo

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.8.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

South Africa’s Rail Collapse Was the Taxi Industry's Gain

The number of South African workers who use rail to get to their jobs has decreased by 78% in 16 years, forcing growing reliance on a booming taxi industry.

ECON DESK

SA Inflation Eased in July, But Interest Rates Will Likely Move Higher

ECON DESK

What Happens After Matric?

WARWICK GREY

Support the Transformation Fund – It Will Kill BEE: Economist

NEWS DESK

Estimating What South Africa Would Gain from Exploiting Its Oil and Gas Reserves

BHEKI MAHLOBO

LFE

The First Aeroplane Flight in South Africa Took Place in This South African City

South Africa's first aeroplane flight took place in East London in 1909, just six years after the Wright brothers changed history. Discover the remarkable story of Albert Kimmerling and John Weston, and how South African aviation first took to the skies.

STAFF WRITER

The First Aeroplane Flight in South Africa Took Place in This South African City

Johannesburg's Air Quality Problem

The Forgotten Man Behind the Union Buildings

SPRTS

The Comrades Marathon Goes It Alone

David Ansara writes on the decision by the Comrades Marathon Association to end its affiliation with provincial and national athletics bodies.

DAVID ANSARA