The DA's Biggest Nightmare: South Africa Is Winning Without Them

As South Africans increasingly organise outside the state, Frans Cronje argues the DA faces a new competitor: the enclave economy.

They're Destroying the Western Cape for "Green" Energy, Or Are They?

In this clip from Talking Sense the panel discusses a looming ecological disaster for the Western Cape.

How the US-Iran Deal Could Slash SA Petrol Prices.

Is the Iran War finally ending? What does this mean for global energy prices and South Africa’s petrol price?

South Africa’s Shadow State: How the Illicit Economy is Taking Over

In this Talking Sense clip, Gabriel, James and Frans unpack how South Africa’s illicit economy is adapting, expanding, and challenging the state’s authority in everyday life.

How South Africa Killed Its Manufacturing Sector and Trapped Millions in Poverty

In this clip, Frans Cronje breaks down how South Africa lost its manufacturing base, with terrible consequences for the poor.

Data Centres Are Fantastic, Do Not Believe The Lies

AI data centres are reshaping the economy and sparking debate, with Gabriel Makin and Richard Tren unpacking why fears over energy and water use may be overblown while innovation and investment soar.

Taking Over Jo'burg Could Destroy the DA, Here's Why

Will winning Johannesburg be a poisoned chalice for the DA?

Where Did the Cash in Ramaphosa's Couch Come From?

James Myburgh and Frans Cronje talk about the President's magic money couch.

This Is How The Iran War Ends

Frans Cronje explains what is likely to happen next with the Iran war.

Ramaphosa's Delusional Defense Of BEE

In this clip the panel debates Cyril Ramaphosa’s defence of BEE, the collapse in South African mining output, and whether empowerment policies have helped ordinary South Africans or politically connected elites.

What Should The DA Do About Phala Phala?

Dr James Myburgh and Dr Frans Cronje debate whether the DA should use Phala Phala to force reform from Ramaphosa, or avoid triggering a doomsday coalition with the EFF and MK.

Will South Africa Hold Together?

Frans Cronje argues that even an ANC/EFF/MK coalition may not devastate South Africa’s middle classes, because state failure has already driven them into private enclaves able to insulate themselves from Pretoria.

Ramaphosa, Phala Phala, and the ANC

The panel discusses the Phala Phala scandal and its implications.

Is The End Of The Iran War In Sight?

Frans Cronje and Richard Tren discuss whether the Iran war may be nearing an end, why any deal would require US sanctions relief and firm Iranian guarantees, and how the conflict exposed Tehran’s weakness.

Julius Malema, Xenophobia, And Frantz Fanon

James Myburgh and Frans Cronje unpack Julius Malema’s contradictory view of xenophobic violence, arguing that his racial-nationalist politics may help fuel the very hostility he condemns.

How Will Trump Do In The Midterms?

Richard Tren and Frans Cronje unpack why Republicans may lose the House despite strong economic numbers, and how rising living costs are reshaping American politics.

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.