VIDES
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.
23 hours ago
9 min
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.
4 days ago
11 min
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.
5 days ago
12 min
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.
6 days ago
6 min
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.
7 days ago
10 min
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.
12 days ago
1 min
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.
13 days ago
6 min
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.
16 days ago
9 min
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.
18 days ago
5 min
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.
19 days ago
10 min
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.
20 days ago
10 min
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.
21 days ago
6 min
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.
23 days ago
12 min
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.
23 days ago
7 min
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.
24 days ago
7 min
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.
25 days ago
7 min
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.
28 days ago
10 min
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.
February 22, 2026
8 min
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.
February 20, 2026
5 min
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.
February 19, 2026
1h 2m
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.
February 18, 2026
5 min
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.
February 17, 2026
8 min
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.
February 16, 2026
4 min
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.
February 14, 2026
4 min
Reflecting on Roedean
Richard Tren, whose sisters attended Roedean, sheds light on the Roedean-King David scandal.
February 13, 2026
5 min
How will the new DA leader approach the GNU?
With John Steenhuisen going, the GNU loses one of its key stabilising figures. The panel debates whether the next DA leader should draw firmer lines against the ANC within the GNU.
February 12, 2026
5 min
Moeletsi Mbeki: Who really benefits from BEE?
Moeletsi Mbeki discusses the origins of BEE and who benefits the most from it today.
February 11, 2026
5 min
Is Namibia a Better Long-Term Bet Than SA?
Frans Cronje and colleagues explain why Namibia could emerge as one of Africa's and the world's most important countries and economies.
February 10, 2026
5 min
Leaked Audio Shows Roedean Did Not Want to Play Against Jews
This is a recording of a telephone conversation between senior staffers at Rodean and King David Linksfield schools. See our exclusive on The Common Sense.
February 9, 2026
6 min
Moeletsi Mbeki - The DA's Route To Become The Largest Party In SA
In this clip from Talking Sense Moeletsi Mbeki talks about the route that the DA could take to become the largest political party in South Africa.
February 9, 2026
3 min
Steenhuisen: How SA will beat FMD
John Steenhuisen takes Gabriel Makin through the history of FMD in SA, the challenges it has brought, and his plans going forward to beat it.
February 6, 2026
8 min
What Would Break the GNU?
Should the DA stay in the GNU or walk away. John Steenhuisen explains what’s really at stake if that decision is made.
February 3, 2026
3 min
How ChatGPT Appears Intelligent
Ron Richman, CEO of InsureAI, breaks down how AI systems like ChatGPT work and why they appear so intelligent.
February 3, 2026
8 min
John Steenhuisen Says: Bring It On
John Steenhuisen talks about the challenges to his leadership and explains that he feels confident that he could win another term as leader of the party.
February 2, 2026
7 min
Dr Frans Cronje Explains If You Should Be Buying Dollars
In this clip from Makin Sense, Dr Frans Cronje explains why the rand has strengthened significantly and what forces are driving the devaluation of the dollar.
January 31, 2026
11 min
Is This The End Of The WEF?
In this clip from Makin Sense, Simon Lincoln Reader provides insights into the latest WEF meeting and muses on whether this is the beginning of the end of its relevance.
January 30, 2026
12 min
South Africa's Hybrid Culture
Bonsai Shongwe comments on how South Africa is a hybrid culture between the West and Africa.
January 27, 2026
6 min
The Politicization Of The National Prosecuting Authority
In this clip from Makin Sense, Dr James Myburgh provides comment on the history and political capture of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority.
January 26, 2026
9 min
Helen Zille And The DA
In this clip from Makin Sense, Drs James Myburgh Frans Cronje provide comments on Helen Zille's history in the DA and her current popularity
January 26, 2026
12 min
Dr Frans Cronje Explains Greenland's Strategic Importance
In this clip from Makin Sense, Dr Frans Cronje provides context as to why Greenland is strategically important for the United States
January 24, 2026
9 min
South Africa's Iran Dilemma
In this clip from Makin Sense, Reine Opperman explains how South Africa can get caught in the crossfire between Iran and America.
January 23, 2026
9 min
Bonsai Shongwe - Unintended Consequences of BEE
Bonsai Shongwe explains that there are many unintended consequences of Black Economic Empowerment policies.
January 22, 2026
12 min
Dr James Myburgh Explains What's Happening With ICE In Minnesota
In this clip from Makin Sense, Dr James Myburgh provides the context to what is happening with ICE in Minnesota.
January 21, 2026
7 min
Mike Sham Discusses Mandela's Missed Opportunity
Mike Sham discusses the transition from the old South Africa to the new, highlighting the initial openness of dialogue in the early '90s, which gradually diminished during the Mandela and Mbeki years. He also discusses the economic opportunities that were missed during the Mandela era.
January 18, 2026
9 min
Legacy Media Is Dead - Talking Sense
Mike Sham @sonacoza dropped in to have a broad discussion about the New Media landscape, his fight with the DA and South African politics.
January 17, 2026
53 min
Simon Reader And James Myburgh Discuss The "Disinformation-Industrial-Complex"
In this clip from Makin Sense, Simon Reader and James Myburgh delve into the complexities of censorship and disinformation in the digital age.
January 16, 2026
11 min
Top 5 Stories of The Day - 14/01/2026
In this clip of Morning Sense, Warwick Grey takes us through today’s top five stories.
January 14, 2026
2 min
Dr James Myburgh On The Allergic Reaction To Affirmative Action In America
In this clip from Makin Sense, James Myburgh explores the impact of censorship and racial politics on young white men in academia and media in America, drawing parallels between their experiences and historical contexts in South Africa. It discusses how generational perspectives have shifted, particularly in relation to the ANC and the experiences of Afrikaners.
January 13, 2026
7 min
Dr Frans Cronje Shares His Opinion On Maduro's Arrest
In this clip from Makin Sense, Dr Frans Cronje explains the series of events that led up to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro by the Americans and how the ANC should learn from them. He demonstrates that the Americans had engaged in a slow ratcheting up of tensions that eventually led to the arrest and he argues that there are parallels to the way the Americans will deal with the ANC.
January 13, 2026
9 min
Top 5 Stories of The Day - 13/01/2026
In this clip of Morning Sense, Warwick Grey takes us through today’s top five stories.
January 13, 2026
2 min
