Former KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube earns PhD; calls for academic revolution in public service

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has congratulated former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube on being conferred with a Doctor of Administration degree on Monday, May 12, 2025.

UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division described the achievement as a significant milestone that highlights her dedication to public service and academic excellence.

''We are proud of Dr Dube-Ncube’s accomplishment and believe her research will make a meaningful contribution to governance and service delivery in South Africa.”

Dube-Ncube’s doctoral research, supervised by Professor Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy and Dr Nduduzo Ndebele, is titled Legislative and Institutional Arrangements for Poverty Alleviation in iLembe District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The study explored the institutional shortcomings in the implementation of the Poverty Eradication Master Plan in the iLembe District, which is one of the poorest in the province.

She found that centralised decision-making and rigid institutional processes limited the effectiveness of government poverty alleviation efforts.

Her research revealed that while numerous initiatives are introduced, communities often perceive them as external impositions, resulting in a lack of local ownership. Moreover, the study recommends a bottom-up approach that empowers communities and supports local municipalities, coupled with sufficient funding and robust evaluation mechanisms to track impact.

Motivated by her passion for effective and equitable service delivery, Dube-Ncube said, “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.”

UKZN supervisor Professor Reddy praised Dube-Ncube’s commitment, saying, “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.”

Dube-Ncube, currently the Deputy Task Team Coordinator of the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team, expressed confidence that her new qualification would contribute meaningfully to her work.

She encouraged senior public administrators to pursue postgraduate studies, noting that academic research provides data-driven tools for making informed government decisions.

“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,” she said.

Currently serving as Deputy Coordinator of the African National Congress’ KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team, Dube-Ncube views her academic qualification as a tool to contribute more effectively to governance structures.

She encourages senior public administrators to pursue postgraduate studies to support evidence-based decision-making, saying, “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.''

A seasoned public servant, Dube-Ncube has held leadership roles both politically and administratively, including serving as South Africa’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, as MEC in various provincial departments, and as the first female Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

Internationally, she has represented the African continent in global climate and disaster management forums and worked with organisations such as the 911 Fund, founded by former US President Barack Obama.

She plans to continue sharing her research through academic conferences and lectures, having already presented at the 2024 SAPPAM Public Service Conference and other platforms.

Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude to her family, the ANC, and national leadership for their support throughout her academic and professional life.

“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.”

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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