President Ngubane, also affectionately known as Mbomvu and Somahhashi, is a lifelong trade unionist whose leadership is defined by resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of workers across both the public and private sectors.
His journey in worker activism began in 1989, when he worked under the apartheid government in the Department of Development Aid as a clerk. Within six months, he was nominated by fellow workers to join the Workers’ Committee – a remarkable achievement at a time when trade unions were still largely restricted in government workplaces.
A year later, President Ngubane was elected Chairperson of the Workers’ Committee, where he led efforts to secure the rights of unregistered employees who were being unfairly paid in brown envelopes. His intervention through formal communication with the Director General at the Natalia Head Office resulted in the registration of those workers and inspired province-wide reforms to correct similar injustices across KwaZulu-Natal.
In 1990, President Ngubane successfully organised and recruited over 6,000 workers into the National Public Service Workers Union (NPSWU), marking the beginning of his lifelong dedication to the union. He went on to serve as Chairperson of the Durban Region (1991–1994) and later as Provincial Chairperson for KwaZulu-Natal (1995–2008).
In 2009, he was elected Vice President of NPSWU, a position he held until September 2025, before being elected President of the National Public Service Workers Union on 1 October 2025.
President Ngubane‘s leadership philosophy is grounded in service, education, and empowerment. He is deeply committed to addressing workplace challenges, ensuring that NPSWU not only represents its members but actively challenges injustices, drives meaningful change, and holds employers accountable. His mandate is to grow membership, strengthen the union’s presence in both public and private sectors, educate workers about their rights, and empower youth to take leadership roles in shaping their workplaces.
Under his leadership, NPSWU is transforming into a dynamic, modern, and justice-driven union, amplifying its brand, modernizing communications, and building stronger connections with members across all sectors.
President Ngubane holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Policy and a programme in Economics and Public Finance from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a Magister Scientiae degree from the Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, and a Certificate in Labour Law from the Workers College.