Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, a trailblazing leader in South African politics and former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, has dedicated her life to public service and academic excellence, culminating in a Doctorate in Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dube-Ncube’s doctoral thesis, titled: “Legislative and Institutional Arrangements for Poverty Alleviation in iLembe District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa”, was motivated by her vast experience in public service and passion for effective service delivery, and combined academic rigor with real-world experience. The study was supervised by UKZN public governance experts, Professor Purshottama Reddy and Dr Nduduzo Ndebele.
‘I’m passionate about ensuring that whenever government provides services, they are effective, efficient, corruption-free and bring about equity and improved lived experiences for communities,’ she said.
Dube-Ncube’s study examined institutional gaps in implementing the Poverty Eradication Master Plan in iLembe District, KwaZulu-Natal. The area was of particular interest to her, as it is classified as the second poorest district in the province, according to census data and other research conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal government under its Provincial Growth and Development Plan.
The study found that the Poverty Alleviation Master Plan – a government blueprint to aid indigent communities – failed to create sustainable change due to the rigidity of institutional processes. It further highlighted that the centralised decision-making model is unsustainable, as local communities and municipalities are not empowered to implement projects independently.
The study indicates that while various government entities introduce poverty alleviation projects, there is a lack of community ownership, as these are often perceived as external initiatives rather than tools for empowering local livelihoods.
It recommends a bottom-up approach to ensure community ownership of poverty eradication plans, while also supporting provincial and local municipalities. The study also calls for adequate financial resources and clear evaluation mechanisms to ensure that projects can make a meaningful impact.
With a Master of Public Administration from the University and three diplomas in Public Management, Management and Leadership, and Training and Development, Dube-Ncube has built a distinguished career in public service, excelling in both political and administrative roles. She served as Ambassador of South Africa to the Czech Republic, and in various portfolios, including as a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Treasury, Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first female Premier of the KZN Provincial Government, a position she held with distinction until 2024.
Dube-Ncube has also served on the legislative side of government, notably as Chief Whip of the Legislature of KwaZulu-Natal. Internationally, she has held roles in several global organisations, including the 911 Fund – a United States-based non-governmental organisation founded by former President Barack Obama following the 9/11 attacks.
She was Co-Chair of the Climate Change and Disaster Management Group, a body made up of sub-national governments from various continents around the world, where she represented the African continent on matters related to climate resilience, disaster mitigation and response.
Currently, she is a member of the African National Congress’ (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team, where she serves as its Deputy Task Team Coordinator. The 66-member team was established to revitalise and consolidate the ANC’s presence in the province of KwaZulu-Natal following a decline in electoral support after the 2024 general elections.
Dube-Ncube is confident that her newly acquired academic qualification will add value to any structure she serves. She encourages senior public administrators to pursue postgraduate studies, believing that such qualifications equip public servants with the tools needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions. ‘Postgraduate studies can assist government with data so that financial and human resource allocations are all based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, rather than basing decisions on pressures that sometimes are based on individuals’ preferences, and pressure groups,’ she added.
Pleased with her achievement, Dube-Ncube said: ‘I’m relieved and motivated to have been able to achieve so much in my life. I hope that my achievement will motivate many other people and the youth to understand the importance of academic achievements.’
As a good scholar, she plans to share the findings of her research with various institutions and stakeholders by participating in academic conferences and lecturing. She has already started doing presentations at the 2024 Conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management and on various other platforms.
Reflecting on the support she received during her studies, she said: ‘I am grateful to my country, my leadership and my organisation, the ANC, for investing so much in me. I could not have done it without the support of many people along the way – especially my family.’
Praising Dube-Ncube for her academic achievement, Reddy said: ‘Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube has a long history with the University, School and Discipline, having also completed her Master of Public Administration at UKZN. Despite a demanding schedule as a busy politician, she has managed to complete her doctoral research, and we would like to congratulate her in this regard and wish her well in her future political career.’
Words: Hazel Langa
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
