MAKIN SENSE
In this episode of Makin Sense, the panel examines the reports that Patrice Motsepe is not running for ANC leader. They then unpack the diplomatic fight between South Africa and the new United States ambassador. The focus then shifts to an Asian fraud scandal with a South African twist.
The panel then studies the facts around venture capital in Africa. After which, they explore the misreporting on the recent terrorist attack in New York and they finish by discussing the surge of support for the Green Party in the United Kingdom.
In this episode of Makin Sense, the panel examines the misrepresented history between the ANC and Iran. The panel explores how the myth of ties between the ANC and Iran overlooks Iran’s repression of leftist movements and the deaths of many communists under the Iranian regime.
The panel outlines the fluid situation in Iran today, focusing on US objectives, the shifting global power dynamics with China, and the energy market impacts. The panel also discuss how South Africa’s foreign policy might shift with Iran’s declining influence. Dr Frans Cronje lays out how the war will end.
In this episode, the panel discusses the attack by the US head of the Financial Times on The Common Sense, what the new CBS documentary on farm murders got wrong, South Africa's budget, the US Supreme Court decision on tariffs, Geordin Hill-Lewis running for DA leadership, the UK's new Cabinet Secretary, and South Africa's illiterate children.
In this episode, the panel discusses whether Patrice Mostepe could be eyeing a run for the ANC leadership, Marco Rubio's speech in Munich, the EU and UK's latest economic data, and the situation going into the US midterms.
We unpack the Roedean controversy, the mounting pressure against UK PM Keir Starmer, shifts inside the DA, and unease among Christian ANC members over South Africa’s stance on Iran.
We also explore US energy policy, Johannesburg’s ongoing power and water crisis, and what South Africa’s deepening trade ties with China could mean for the country’s economic future.
In this episode of Makin Sense the panel is joined by Rowland Brown, the co-founder of Cirrus Capital in Namibia as well as Benji Shulman the Executive Director of the Middle East Africa Research Institute, who and discuss the importance of Namibia, the bitcoin, silver and gold crash. What is next for the DA, SA/Israel relations and Trumps latest Fed pick.
In this episode the panel get to grips with AI, what it is, its future, and its likley effects on markets, politics, economies, and human relations.
In this episode of Makin Sense, the panel discusses significant global and South African news, focusing on the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, the implications for South Africa's political landscape, the threats to the GNU in 2026, and the ongoing issues of free speech and censorship in the U.S. The conversation also touches on the new NPA boss in South Africa and the political turmoil in Iran, highlighting the potential consequences for regional stability and international relations.
In this episode of Makin Sense, the panel looks back on 2025 and the events and stories that shaped politics, markets, and public mood.
In this episode, the panel is joined by Mike Sham, host of the State of the Nation podcast. The panel discusses potentially significant political stories shaping South Africa and the world going into 2026. The conversation starts in South Africa by focusing on the challenges faced by the ANC, and whether it will seek to double down on ideology, as well as the DA's position in the next local government elections and whether a leadership change is appropriate for that party. The conversation also touches on the dynamics within the GNU and whether it will continue to hold strong through 2026.
After South Africa, the conversation heads to America where the panel considers what the mid-terms in November could mean for the Trump legacy. The conversation also focuses heavily on the implications of US politics for international relations. The conversation delves into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the potential for peace in Europe, highlighting the complexities of global politics and the shifting dynamics being played out on the global stage.
The discussion ends in Europe as the panel members discuss whether changing sensibilities towards climate will have an impact on European policymakers, or whether they will continue to blindly pursue net zero at all costs. The panellists also ask whether the countries of Europe will continue to swing to the populist right.
Makin Sense is the flagship podcast of The Common Sense, a new South African media organisation that offers independent analysis on South African and global news stories. Our foundational value is respect for the time our subscribers invest in reading, listening to, and watching our content. We stress the bridge issues that unite people and not the wedge issues that are used to divide and celebrate all the things that are good about South Africa and the world because it is in so many respects a wonderful time to be alive.
Mike Sham is an entrepreneur turned political analyst, he is also the Host of The State of The Nation podcast, a platform for long form interview and opinion on South Africa.
James Myburgh is the Director of the Bremen Centre for Democratic Research (BRE-DE-RE) and editor of politicsweb.co.za . He served as a policy researcher for the Democratic Party in the late 90s. He has a DPhil in Politics from St. Anthony's College Oxford.
Frans Cronje is the Editor of the Common Sense and founder of Frans Cronje private clients. He was the CEO of the South African liberal think-tank the Institute of Race Relations for 8 years.
Gabriel Makin is the CEO of the SRF and Executive producer of The Common Sense. He had previously worked as a barista.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Panel and Themes Ahead
02:23 The ANC's Struggles and Future Prospects
14:56 Local Government Elections: A Turning Point for the ANC
29:39 The DA's Challenges and Leadership Dynamics
50:15 Navigating Political Leadership and Strategy
52:53 The Importance of Collaboration in South African Politics
57:11 The Role of Political Leadership in National Stability
58:50 Shifting Focus: International Relations and the U.S. Impact
01:09:39 Analyzing the U.S. Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections
01:18:07 Prospects for Peace in Europe and the Ukraine Conflict
01:28:00 The Future of European Politics and Elections
Episode 16 features James Myburgh on the Mbeki–Zuma power struggle, Gabriel Makin on voter support for an ANC–DA coalition, and Frans Cronje on ANC finances, DA leadership tensions, China’s challenge to the dollar, and the new US security strategy. Simon Lincoln Reader reports from London on the sharp decline in British private equity and the lessons drawn from its earlier successes and failures.
In this clip from Makin Sense, The Common Sense's flagship podcast, the panel got an in-depth report from James Myburgh on the political history behind farm attacks in South Africa, the extent of the problem, and the political forces behind the killings. Frans Cronje reports on a new bill soon to come before Parliament that will look to empower the state to arrest Israel supporters in the country, on comments by the US Secretary of State that pitch Poland against South Africa to explain why the one's economy is a rising and the other's not, on why South African chrome smelters are shutting down, and on why Cyril Ramaphosa is set to remain ANC leader whilst John Steenhuisen may be out of job. Richard Tren reports on America's conflict with Venezuela, whether that government will stand, and why Trump has freed a convicted Honduran drug baron even as he blasts Venezuelan drug boats out of the water. Simon Lincoln-Reader reports from London on just how much trouble the UK is in and why investors are packing up for greener pastures.
In this episode of Makin Sense, the panel examines the proposed Russia Ukraine peace plan, unpacks the ANC’s balance of forces doctrine, analyses the United Kingdom’s new budget, and assesses South Africa’s economic outlook heading into 2026. Richard offers Thanksgiving reflections from the United States and Bheki outlines the key indicators shaping South Africa’s growth prospects.
Makin Sense of key highlights from a November polling survey by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) that tested broad South African opinion on the country’s leaders, political parties, voting behaviour, policy perceptions and the Government of National Unity (GNU). The panel also discusses business engagement in the UK and what role Think tanks can play in financial literacy. The show concludes, by highlighting the challenges the Republican Party is facing in the US.
In this episode of 'Makin' Sense', Gabriel Makin and his panel of experts delve into South Africa's medium-term budget framework, the political dynamics surrounding it, and the broader implications for the country's economy. They also discuss the controversial topics of farm attacks, the role of the BBC in media representation, and the influence of figures like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson on global narratives. The conversation touches on the importance of fiscal prudence, the challenges of misidentifying threats, and the evolving political landscape in South Africa and beyond.
In this episode of Makin' Sense, Frans Cronje answers the question of whether Cyril Ramaphosa will resign, and what that would mean for the ANC. Furthermore, the panel dissects the South African government's latest (good) economic recovery strategy. Reine explains whether Trump will lose on tariffs in the US Supreme Court, and what that would mean for SA's trade negotiators. The panel also sets out the vastly positive global implications of Bill Gates' about-turn on climate change. Lastly, the panel savages global moral duplicity around the Sudanese civil war, and explains how SA's bumbling spooks are only fooling themselves—and that Pretoria needs to up its game in Washington
In this episode of Makin Sense, Gabriel Makin and his panel discuss a range of topics from South Africa's fiscal policies to international political dynamics.
Makin Sense of the DA's Empowerment Policy, ANC Energy Plan, Oxford Union, Diamonds and US Education
