KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube had to stand her ground as ANC KZN leader Siboniso Duma tried to embarrass her in public again.

She was not listed as a speaker at the memorial service on Wednesday for the legendary playwright Mbongeni Ngema. Instead, Duma was included in the programme and the premier excluded.

Towards the end of his speech, Duma suddenly called Dube-Ncube to the stage to address the mourners, rudely calling her by her first name.

“As we agreed, programme director, our premier, the one and only is among us. A big girl from kwaMashu, you have to address us as our premier,” said Duma.

“The platform is yours, comrade Nomusa Dube. Please come forward,”

Dube-Ncube fought back. She refused to be pressured into making an unprepared speech.

Duma continued to try to persuade her through former premier Sbu Ndebele, who is now an ambassador.

“Mazalankosi (Ndebele’s clan name), this is our only premier that we have in KwaZulu-Natal. Please come forward, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube,” Duma said.

MaDube-Ncube’s reaction drew the attention of the public on different social media platforms when she rejected Duma’s requests. She even waved her hands several times, showing her rejection of Duma’s plea.

Duma was expected to be premier of KZN after winning the ANC provincial conference. But the ANC leadership wanted a female premier and appointed Dube-Ncube instead.

Duma has been undermining the premier ever since, on numerous public platforms.

If the ANC wins the province in the coming election, he is expected finally to become premier.

However, what once appeared to be a sure deal has become a big “if” because of the resurgent IFP and DA coalition. And the launch of Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) political party is making it highly unlikely that Duma will ever be premier of KZN.

Duma has been one of the biggest political moemishes of 2023, performing a series of own goals that embarrassed him more than the premier. It began when he upstaged Dube-Ncube during a presentation of the rugby world cup trophy in Durban.

Pictured above: KZN Premier Nomusa MaDube Ncube greets former KZN premier Sbu Ndebele after she rebuked ANC chair Siboniso Duma at the Mbongeni Ngema memorial service.

Image source: Premier’s Office