Nco Dube

The Social Commentator

SONA 2026: The Performance of Stability, The Absence of Disruption

Feb 11

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 11, 2026, will occur under the challenging context of South Africa’s Government of National Unity. While Ramaphosa has made progress on energy stability, with over 266 days without… more ›
When Arrogance Meets Amnesia: Khusela Diko, the ANC, and the Politics of Lost Moral Authority

Jan 28

Khusela Diko, an ANC leader, recently engaged in a contentious exchange on social media, highlighting the ANC’s credibility crisis. Her dismissive tone, especially regarding the PPE scandal linked to her, reflects a broader pattern of arrogance within the ANC. Despite… more ›
Robert McBride and the Politics of Selective Memory: A Country’s Uneasy Relationship With Its Own Heroes

Jan 22

By Nco Dube | 22 January 2026 South Africa has always had a complicated relationship with its struggle heroes. We celebrate them in song, in murals, in the sepia-toned nostalgia of public holidays, yet we recoil when they appear before… more ›
The West’s Late Awakening: Mark Carney’s Davos Speech Is Not Renewal, it’s an Elegy

Jan 21

Mark Carney’s speech at Davos has drawn significant praise from Western elites, yet it highlights a troubling amnesia regarding the historical context of the global order, especially its selective application favoring the powerful. Critics from the Global South argue that… more ›
The ANC on January 8: A Glorious Past, A Fractured Present, and an Uncertain Tomorrow

Jan 8

The African National Congress (ANC) has been a pivotal force in South Africa’s history, transitioning from a symbol of liberation to a fractured party grappling with internal strife and declining public trust. Initially a beacon of hope and unity, the… more ›
Why Isolationism is Not an Option for South Africa

Jan 5

The article argues that South Africa’s international engagement is crucial for its domestic well-being, countering the notion that global issues are irrelevant to local life. Global interdependence means that international crises affect South African economics, from commodity prices to currency… more ›
Power Without Law: The U.S., Trump, and the Naked Politics of Resource Imperialism

Jan 4

By Nco Dube | 04 January 2026 The Displacement of Maduro and the Death of Pretenses The reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, his removal to a U.S. warship, and the announcement of his indictment in… more ›
The Battle for KwaZulu-Natal: MKP’s Motion of No-Confidence

Dec 15

On 15 December 2025, the KwaZulu-Natal legislature faces a political turning point as the MKP has initiated a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli. With 37 seats, the MKP is the largest party yet has been sidelined by… more ›
The Eagle and the Fallen Man: Ngcukaitobi’s Brilliance, Mchunu’s Undoing

Dec 6

By Nco Dube | 06 December 2025 There are moments in the life of a nation when a single figure rises above the ordinary, and in our legal fraternity that figure is Mr Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC. He is no mere… more ›
South Africa’s Public Service: A Scandal of Competence, Capture and Cowardice

Dec 5

The Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee revealed systemic issues within South Africa’s public service, uncovering a culture of mediocrity, patronage, and evasion among officials. Testimonies during the hearings showcased a troubling inability to account for critical decisions, raising… more ›