Nco Dube

The Social Commentator

  • The Poll Is Not the Propaganda. The Politics Begins With What We Do With It.

    As South Africa approaches the 2026 local government elections, the role of opinion polls is being scrutinised. Polls are more than mere reflections of public sentiment; they can influence perceptions and narratives in the political arena. Poll results can be… more ›

  • South Africans Are Being Trained Not to Answer the Phone

      The telephone once carried a simple promise. When it rang, somebody wanted to speak to you. That promise has been broken. South Africans now approach an unknown call as a possible intrusion, sales pitch or attempted theft. We let… more ›

  • Sudan Is More Than the War That Has Swallowed It

    For many people outside Sudan, the country has become a collection of grim nouns: war, famine, Darfur, refugees and generals. All are part of Sudan’s present. None is large enough to contain its history. Sudan lies where several worlds meet.… more ›

  • Eskom Has Turned the Corner. Government Is Waiting With a Knife

    Eskom’s recent financial recovery, evidenced by a profit increase to R30.3 billion and over 460 days without load shedding, highlights its resilience amid past challenges. However, government plans to create a fully independent Transmission System Operator threaten this progress. The… more ›

  • The Madlanga Commission Is Drawing the Map of a State Within the State

    The Madlanga Commission is no longer examining a few crooked police officers, compromised contracts or violent businessmen operating in isolation. It is drawing the map of an ecosystem. On that map, a government contractor describes a senior Hawks general as… more ›

  • The Spreadsheet Can Reproduce Apartheid Against The Poor

    In South Africa, a renewed partnership between government and businesses signals hope for economic recovery after years of institutional failure. However, the relationship raises concerns about which issues will receive attention and investment. Businesses prioritise profit and opportunity, often neglecting… more ›

  • The Scam No Longer Looks Like a Scam

    The old digital scam often announced itself. The spelling was poor. The greeting was generic. The logo looked as though it had been copied from a photocopy of a photocopy. A mysterious prince promised millions, while an alleged bank official… more ›

  • The World Is Not at War. It Is Learning to Live with War

    The world is not at war, but learning to live with multiple conflicts, including Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Congo. These conflicts reveal a weakened international order where power is unconstrained, international law is selectively applied, and civilian suffering is ignored.… more ›

  • South Africa Is Not Simply Running Out of Water. It Is Losing Control of It

    South Africa’s water crisis stems from years of poor management, infrastructure neglect, and significant water losses due to leaks and faulty systems, with nearly half of treated water unaccounted for. The failure extends beyond hydrology to institutional breakdown, exacerbated by… more ›

  • The President Has Found Another Door Out of Accountability

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has found another door out of accountability. After Parliament’s first attempt to bury the Phala Phala report was overturned, he challenged the report, interdicted the public inquiry and now objects to Adv Thandazani Madonsela SC as evidence… more ›