Is "Kill The Boer" Actually A Struggle Song?

Dr James Myburgh explains the history of the "Kill the boer" chant and its use in the armed struggle against apartheid.

Fake Hate Campaigns And Left-Wing Violence

In this clip Richard Tren, Frans Cronje, and James Myburgh discuss the link between left-wing groups financing right-wing extremists and the rise in violence on the political left in America.

The Third Assassination Attempt On President Trump

In this clip the panel discusses the most recent assassination attempt on President Trump and what drove this third attempt to kill the American president. The panel explains why radical media and social media incitement in the United States may be driving fringe individuals to think that by killing President Trump they might be saving the world.

The DA's GNU Troubles

In this clip, Frans Cronje and James Myburgh assess mounting governance missteps inside the Democratic Alliance, from Siviwe Gwarube’s tender controversy to John Steenhuisen’s court reprimands, before questioning the party’s role in the GNU and how it should better wield power.

The Seismic Shift In The Global Oil Market

In this clip, Frans Cronje traces the rise of OPEC from its 1960 founding through the 1973 oil crisis, before explaining why the United Arab Emirates is pivoting toward the United States and what that means for the balance of global energy power.

Is The World Falling Apart?

Frans Cronje explains why the world is far more prosperous than headlines suggest, pointing to record-low poverty, expanding opportunity, and the collapse in the cost of light as proof of human progress.

The Common Sense's Land Reform Solution

Can a five-year, state-backed 0% loan scheme for black farmers, with incentives for black-white partnerships, unlock financing, and reshape South Africa’s agricultural future?

Should Geordin Hill-Lewis Join The Cabinet?

Dr James Myburgh, Dr Frans Cronje, and Simon Reader debate whether Geordin Hill-Lewis should join Cabinet, weighing national visibility against the risk of ANC control and reduced political effectiveness.

Revolutionary Strategy And The Iran War

In this clip, James Myburgh says people commenting on America's approach to the Iran war fail to understand how sustained US pressure may be accelerating regime change by exploiting internal fractures rather than defeating the regime outright.

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

In this clip, Dr James Myburgh discusses how the ANC's politicisation of farm attacks, coupled with its historical support for criminal elements, has contributed to the normalisation of violence in South Africa.

South African's Don't Care About Race

Hermann Pretorius breaks down the latest Institute of Race Relations poll, revealing South Africans' preference for race-neutral decisions in government procurement and hiring.

Explaining South Africa's History Of Violent Crime

In this fascinating deep-dive Dr James Myburgh explores the complex history of violent crime and corruption in South Africa. He delves into the data manipulation and misconceptions surrounding crime statistics.

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

James Myburgh and Hermann Pretorius assess Geordin Hill-Lewis following his leadership victory, unpacking his federal congress speech, the DA’s liberal positioning, and why crime could become the party’s most powerful electoral lever.

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

In this clip, Simon Lincoln Reader unpacks the extraordinary rise of Natie Kirsh, from going bust in the early 1990s to building a global business now tied to a $29 billion deal. He traces Kirsh’s influence in Eswatini, his sharp commercial instincts, and the quiet but principled role he has played in South African politics.

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

In this episode of Common Sense Plus, Frans Cronje and Gabriel Makin analyse the latest SRF/The Common Sense polling on Johannesburg ahead of the local elections, exploring party standings, Helen Zille's candidacy, and the city’s crucial role in South Africa's future.

The New Space Race

Frans Cronje explains why Artemis II signals the start of a new geopolitical space race, as global powers compete to control five critical chokepoints in near-Earth space.

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

In this clip Dr James Myburgh explains why changes to laws nominally intended to limit the damage caused by cadre deployment will likely not have that effect but could well be designed to undermine the influence of the DA in government.

Is The Iran War A Disaster?

In this clip Richard Tren and Frans Cronje explain that the Iran war has not brought about the global political and economic catastrophe that is broadly reported in much of the Western media.

Does The DA Need A Shakeup?

In this clip from Common Sense Conversations, Nicholas Nyati argues the DA must reinvent itself to win support in black and coloured communities, outlining how his candidacy and policy ideas aim to make the party more competitive against the ANC.

Explaining The Upcoming DA Congress

In this clip Gabriel Makin explains the way in which the upcoming DA elective congress works.

The United States Supreme Court Win For Free Speech

The Tragedy Of South Africa's Declining Marriage Rate

Frans Cronje looks at the latest data around marriage in South Africa and explains how the trends have changed and what they mean.

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

In this episode of Common Sense Plus, Frans Cronje and Gabriel Makin go into a deep dive around the national level polling results from the latest SRF/The Common Sense poll.

Cuba's Imminent Collapse

Richard Tren provides an in-depth look at Cuba's crumbling political and economic situation. He highlights the self-wrought collapse of its regime, human rights abuses, and the strange leftist alliance that has formed to try rescue this barbaric regime.

Jacob Zuma and What Might Have Been

In this astonishing exchange Frans Cronje and the panel talk about Jacob Zuma and how if elite society and the business had not "treated him like a goat herder from Zululand who did not belong in the same rarified air as they did" South Africa's future might have been different. Frans talks about the first serious investor event that he and John Kane-Berman still arranged for Zuma and of how surprised people were at their advice that Zuma would be President. Frans talks of how hurt Zuma later became at the manner in which elite society responded to his succeeding Thabo Mbeki and what the consequences of that ultimately became.

New SRF Poll On South Africa's 'Battleground' Metros

In this clip from Makin Sense, Frans Cronje and Gabriel Makin unpack the results of the Social Research Foundation/The Common Sense's latest national survey. The data shows that while the ANC leads the DA by 11 points at a national level, the DA leads the ANC in both Johannesburg and Pretoria whilst MK has knocked the ANC down to under 10% in Durban.

Cutting Out The Misinformation On The New York Terror Attack

Richard Tren explains what happened with the terrorist attack that targeted protestors outside of the New York Mayor's residence.

Africa's Venture Capital Problem

In this clip from Makin Sense, Reine Opperman unpacks the data surrounding venture capital investment in Africa. She breaks down how much is invested, where it goes and why it is misdirected in South Africa.

Is Motsepe NOT Running For ANC Leadership?

In this clip from Makin Sense Frans Cronje explains that contrary to much media reporting Patrice Motsepe likely remains a very viable candidate for the leadership of the ANC.

The Curious Case Of South Africa's US Ambassador

In this clip from Makin Sense, Frans Cronje and the panel discuss the hostile response of the media and the South African state to a speech made by South Africa's new US Ambassador, Brent Bozell III. The panel provide quotes from the speech to demonstrate that it was encouraging, optimistic and reconciliatory.

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

In this clip from Makin Sense, Richard Tren and Frans Cronje discuss why the United States and Israel began the Iran War. Richard provides the context of the war and Frans delves into the history of the Iranian Regime, the fallacy of the end of history thinking of Western analysts, how Trump 2.0 is different from previous administrations, and how the US intends ending this conflict.

The Iran War: Best And Worst Case

In this clip from Makin Sense, Frans Cronje delves into potential scenarios for the war in Iran. He explains the importance of defensive munitions in this conflict and outlines the implications of a relatively quick victory for the US. He also expands on the worst-case scenario and the implications of a drawn-out war in the region.

What Is The ANC's Real History With Iran

In this clip from Makin Sense, Frans Cronje explains the history of South Africa and the ANC's relationships with Iran. He explains how the post-1979 Iranian leadership brutally oppressed the ANC's fraternal allies whilst building strong economic bonds with Pretoria that helped to sustain apartheid.

Economic Analysis: Making it Matter for The Average South African

Bheki Mahlobo discusses the people who shaped his views around economics, and why it is important to make economic analysis relatable to ordinary South Africans.

Responding To CBS's Farm Attacks Propaganda

Dr James Myburgh breaks down the different fallacies that a Sixty Minutes documentary broadcast on CBS used to diminish the issue. He explains the misleading data they use, the false equivalence they draw, and how the issue has become politicised.

The South African Budget: A Wealth Redistribution Machine

Frans Cronje unpacks the most important parts of the latest South African budget and explains how it serves as a massive wealth redistribution machine - shifting money from those who earn it to those who don't.

Helen Zille Gives Her Opinion On Herman Mashaba Running For Johannesburg Mayor

Helen Zille explains the implications of Herman Mashaba running for mayor of Johannesburg given his previous flirtations with the EFF.

What Are The Challenges A Motsepe Presidency Could Face?

The Makin Sense panel discusses whether Patrice Motsepe would be able to govern effectively if he were to become president of the ANC. The panel debates whether he could control the party’s internal structures, and whether he could be ruthless enough to implement changes capable of reforming South Africa's economy.

Explaining Marco Rubio's Munich Speech

In this clip from Makin Sense Dr Frans Cronje, Simon Lincoln Reader, and Dr James Myburgh discuss Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security conference.

Geordin Hill-Lewis On The Need For Deregulation

In this clip from Talking Sense, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis explains what he thinks is the recipe to grow South Africa's economy at a faster rate.

Why is South Africa's Fixed Investment Rate So Low?

Bheki Mahlobo, Economics Editor at the The Common Sense, lays out the trends of South Africa's rate of fixed investment over time and explains what is needed in order to raise it to match our emerging market peers.

Will Patrice Motsepe Be The Next ANC Leader?

In this clip from Makin Sense Dr Frans Cronje discusses whether Patrice Motsepe is gearing up to run for the presidency of the ANC.

Trump Losing Midterms - Good For SA?

Richard Tren and colleagues explain why South Africans should not pin their hopes on the Republicans losing the US midterms as President Donald Trump’s foreign policy powers remain largely insulated from Congressional shifts.

How I Can Win Jo'burg - Helen Zille

With every vote mattering in the next local government election, Helen Zille discusses how she can win Johannesburg outright.

The Common Sense: Frans Cronje & The Truth Report

In this hard-hitting conversation, Rob and Frans Cronje unpack the real strategic equation facing South Africa. Beyond the headlines and doom narratives, we examine voter psychology, ANC decline, MK and EFF momentum, fixed investment rates, electricity myths, deindustrialisation, corruption, and whether real reform is actually possible.

How Did South Africa End Up Here?

Moeletsi Mbeki explores who really took power in 1994 and the effects and the consequences this had had for the country.

Should SA Just Burn its Coal?

The panel argues that both as a moral imperative and for SA to survive as a free society its government needs to start burning heaps of coal.

Will SA-China Trade Pact Lead to anything???

China has struck a promising trade framework agreement with South Africa. Frans Cronje explains the implications and why the pact could be very good for South Africa.

DA Worst-Case Scenario

John Steenhuisen's departure leaves the DA at a crossroads. Frans talks about the challenges the next leader of the DA may face and the negative chain of events that could see the party losing ground.

Reflecting on Roedean

Richard Tren, whose sisters attended Roedean, sheds light on the Roedean-King David scandal.