The Common Sense

We are excited to announce the launch of the new and improved The Common Sense website. After analyzing feedback from our readers, we've crafted a platform that provides the best news, analysis, and insights on South Africa. Our mission remains simple: We Make South Africa Make Sense. With data at the heart of everything we do, we aim to explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what will happen next. ➡️thecommonsense.co.za #NewWebsite #SouthAfrica #DataDriven #Polling #Insights

In this exclusive Special Report, The Common Sense presents six potential scenarios for the war in Iran and their far-reaching implications on global markets, oil flows, and geopolitics. With the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of this conflict, the stakes have never been higher. Read Frans Cronje’s expert analysis on how the conflict could evolve and what it means for the world economy. "War rarely unfolds in a straight line ... For investors, knowing how it all ends is now the most important piece of market intelligence in the world." #TheCommonSense #IranWar #Hormuz #Geopolitics #GlobalEconomy #MiddleEastConflict f.mtr.cool/bjzcjdyqhu

@CapeIndy What groups? Self-selecting or basing on some immutable characteristic? You're not proposing some policy of "apartness" based on an immutable characteristic like race, surely?

@CommonSense_ZA Group self determination is the responsible way forward. "Ons sal self." More of the same old centralized SA system will not help...

Nearly one in five South African children goes to bed hungry, with stark disparities across race, province, and urban–rural areas. The scale of child food insecurity in the country is alarming. #ChildHunger #SouthAfricaCrisis #FoodInsecurity f.mtr.cool/mnhpptvyws

Recent polling data reveals one of the most striking political paradoxes in Johannesburg. 84% of voters say the DA would improve service delivery where they live. Yet only 39% say they would actually vote for the DA. Among black voters, 80% believe the DA would deliver better services, but just 25% intend to back the party. The DA has won the argument on delivery. It is still losing the argument on trust. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #DA #Johannesburg #Politics #Polling #Elections #ServiceDelivery f.mtr.cool/qxdfxmgzff

Ramaphosa leaving may not hurt the ANC. It might save it. 57% of ANC voters say they would be more likely to support the party if he steps down. Across all voters, more say his exit helps the ANC than hurts it. Even opposition voters are shifting toward the ANC in a post-Ramaphosa scenario. The signal is blunt. Voters are not asking for reform. They are demanding stronger leadership. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #ANC #Ramaphosa #Politics #Polling #Leadership #Elections f.mtr.cool/stxtrssbiy

ANC Leaders Navigating Global Relations

Inflation in South Africa has dropped to 3.0%, hitting the SARB’s target and marking its lowest level since mid last year. It has now stayed below 4.0% for 18 consecutive months, a clear sign that price pressures have eased. But don’t expect rate cuts just yet. Rising global oil prices, driven by tensions in the Middle East, could push inflation higher again in the coming months, which means the Reserve Bank is likely to hold interest rates steady for now. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #Inflation #SARB #InterestRates #Economy #EnergyPrices f.mtr.cool/wzbwtsmmhn

A new US trade probe could put South Africa’s BEE laws under global scrutiny, raising tough questions about fairness, foreign firms, and a sensitive Chinese dimension.  Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #BEE #Trade #US #Economy #Investment thecommonsense.co.za/Economics%20%2…

The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its meeting tomorrow, with inflation still above target and rising oil prices complicating the outlook. Despite geopolitical tensions and inflation pressures, the US Fed is likely to wait before easing monetary policy. However, analysts still expect a 50 basis point rate cut later this year. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #USEconomy #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #EnergyPrices #Geopolitics f.mtr.cool/vnvbngrplj

Steenhuisen's Step Down to Focus on FMD

Patrice Motsepe is leading the ANC leadership race with the highest favourability scores, leaving rivals Mbalula and Mashatile trailing. If Motsepe builds on this momentum, no other contender could catch him. Is the ANC's future in his hands? Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #ANC #Motsepe #Leadership #Politics thecommonsense.co.za/polls/motsepe-…

South Africa's moment to recalibrate foreign policy. With Iran’s Supreme Leader dead, and the Middle East shifting. Will Pretoria seize the moment, or stay anchored to the past? #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #ForeignPolicy #Iran #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #GlobalOrder f.mtr.cool/woiwvxegbe

@someoak2 We will cover data from Jhb in the next few days, watch this space

@CommonSense_ZA What about jhb?

The DA is within striking distance of a historic majority in Tshwane. Polling results show that the DA and its mayoral candidate, Cilliers Brink, are within touching distance of winning a majority in the capital. However, it is more likely that the DA will need the support of other smaller parties to secure the mayoral chain in the city, and it is still possible that an ANC-led coalition could pip the DA and its allies at the post. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #Tshwane #DA #CilliersBrink #LocalElections thecommonsense.co.za/Politics/da-on…

We are excited to announce the launch of the new and improved The Common Sense website. After analyzing feedback from our readers, we've crafted a platform that provides the best news, analysis, and insights on South Africa. Our mission remains simple: We Make South Africa Make Sense. With data at the heart of everything we do, we aim to explain what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what will happen next. ➡️thecommonsense.co.za #NewWebsite #SouthAfrica #DataDriven #Polling #Insights

Patrice Motsepe’s exit from African Rainbow Minerals may be the first step toward a political run. With polling showing strong support, if Motsepe contests the ANC leadership in 2027, he could secure a major political win and lead South Africa toward a much-needed economic recovery. Frans Cronje breaks down why investors should consider Motsepe’s run as the plausible route for change. Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #Motsepe #ANC #Leadership #Politics #EconomicRecovery f.mtr.cool/fdmpuutlqe

Dr Frans Cronje explains why the ANC LOST the 2024 election

South Africa’s inflation is expected to ease to 3.2% in February, moving closer to the Reserve Bank’s target range of 3.0%, thanks to lower fuel prices and a stronger rand. However, rising international oil prices could bring inflationary pressure in the coming months. The Reserve Bank is likely to keep interest rates unchanged for now, awaiting further developments in the Middle East. Could a rate cut be on the horizon if geopolitical tensions ease? Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #SouthAfrica #Inflation #InterestRates #Economy #OilPrices #Geopolitics f.mtr.cool/wcewpdlggm

The war against Iran is centered on two key issues: Iran’s advancing nuclear infrastructure and the growing ballistic missile threat. Israel has focused its strikes on Iran’s missile program, neutralizing 70% of its launch systems. While missile launches have slowed, Israeli officials stress the campaign’s true success will be judged by whether the nuclear threat is permanently eliminated. What’s next for the nuclear race and the broader Middle East security landscape? Read the full analysis in The Common Sense. #TheCommonSense #IranWar #Israel #NuclearThreat #BallisticMissiles #MiddleEast #Geopolitics f.mtr.cool/lgwyepecui