The Social Commentator

The Challenge of Political Alliances: The Grand GNU White Lie

Jun 15

In the context of the 2024 South African election, the distinction between a coalition government and a government of national unity is highlighted. The ANC’s proposal for a GNU has received mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a disguised… more ›
The Importance of Political Image in a Poor Country Like South Africa

May 13

By Nco Dube In many developing nations, the image and behaviour of politicians is a critical issue. Voters often feel a disconnect between the lavish lifestyles of their elected leaders and the harsh realities of poverty that most citizens… 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 ›
South African Voters: The burden of choice and the failure of alternatives

Dec 3

By Nco Dube | 03 December 2025 South Africa’s democratic project is straining under the weight of compounding failures. To explain the ANC’s continued hold on power purely as “Stockholm syndrome” misses the deeper reality: our politics are trapped in… more ›
South Africa’s HIV/AIDS Journey: From Devastation To Hope, But Still Unfinished

Dec 1

Nco Dube reflects on South Africa’s ongoing battle with HIV/AIDS, tracing its historical impact and current challenges. The late Mbongeni Ngema’s song “Ingculaza” encapsulates the emotional toll of this epidemic that followed the end of apartheid. From the devastating peaks… more ›