‘It’s About Us Now’: Communities Applaud MEC Rachoene’s R6.474bn Budget to Fix Roads, Create Jobs and Boost Limpopo’s Economy

From the Legislature floor to village roads, Limpopo’s ‘MEC Dikgerekgere’ turns budget promises into visible delivery and economic growth  

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian  

12 May 2026, Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Lebowakgomo  

LEBOWAKGOMO – The Limpopo Provincial Legislature turned yellow, orange and white on Monday as MEC for Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure Tonny Ernest Sebataolo Rachoene tabled a R6.474 billion budget that residents say finally puts their daily struggles and the province’s economic future on the agenda.  

Wearing the department’s signature orange and navy workwear, Rachoene, known across the province as “MEC Dikgerekgere,” opened with the mantra: “The heartland of southern Africa – development is about people!” For the community members who traveled to Lebowakgomo to hear him, that line was more than rhetoric. It was a promise tied directly to jobs, trade and economic recovery.

Last year’s floods exposed how quickly Limpopo’s roads, bridges and public buildings could fail, choking transport routes and stalling business. Instead of stalling, the department used the crisis to rebuild smarter and faster.  

“Yet amid these challenges, the resilience of the people of Limpopo stood firm,” Rachoene told the House. “And our resolve is not dampened by the rain; rather, it is forged in the recovery.”  

The budget breaks down into four clear priorities designed to get money circulating and people working:  

1. R4.222 billion for Roads Infrastructure to upgrade, rehabilitate and maintain the network that moves goods, learners and workers  

2. R1.529 billion for Infrastructure Operations to keep hospitals, schools and public buildings functional  

3. R88.281 million for EPWP to create immediate jobs and skills  

4. R633.886 million for Administration to strengthen oversight and accountability  

The headline project is the Steelpoort Bridge in Fetakgomo-Tubatse, built through a public-private partnership with Dwarsrivier Chrome, Glencore, Rustenburg Platinum, Samancor Chrome, Booysendal Platinum, Two Rivers Platinum and Rakhoma Mining Resources. Officially launched on 8 May by Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Minister Gwede Mantashe, the bridge has already cut travel time between Lydenburg and Sekhukhune and unlocked investment in the district.  

For taxi operator Thabo Mahlangu, the impact is immediate. “That bridge cut my route in half. I’m home for supper now, and I can take more trips in a day. That’s money back in my pocket and in the local economy.”  

Progress is visible across the province:  

- Mavhunga Bypass D3669 in Vhembe is 95% complete  

- Project T866 in Sekhukhune reached 32% in just three months  

- D3150 Road in Mopani is 50% complete, with Premier Ramathuba personally monitoring progress  

In total, 43 road projects – 21 upgrades and 22 rehabilitations – are active across all five districts. To break the cycle of potholes and patchwork, Rachoene allocated R600 million for preventative maintenance on 44 roads, with an additional R100 million over the MTEF to strengthen the yellow fleet for pothole repairs and heavy haulage.  

Infrastructure is Limpopo’s jobs engine. The department delivered 64,313 EPWP work opportunities in 2025/26, achieving 93% of its target. Through partnerships with MERSETA and CETA, 210 young people are now in apprenticeship and learnership programs for electrical, diesel mechanical, welding, plumbing, carpentry and bricklaying – trades that feed directly into construction, mining and manufacturing.  

The department is also leading on inclusion. Partnerships with the South African Council for the Blind, DEAFSA, DPSA and Fulufhelo Special School will see the EPWP Disability Framework launch provincially in 2026/27.  

Rachoene made it clear that underperformance will not be tolerated. Contracts were terminated and entities blacklisted where delivery failed. Twenty-two household contractors are now maintaining high-priority roads in Sekhukhune, Mopani and Capricorn.  

The department also secured a High Court ruling to return four fraudulently sold state properties valued at R22 million, with 105 more cases referred to the NPA Asset Forfeiture Unit. That money, Rachoene said, must go back into fixing what belongs to the people.  

The #DikgerekgereWednesdays program keeps maintenance teams visible in orange gear on the roads weekly, making them accountable to the communities they serve.  

Unity and partnerships closed the circle. A MOU with six mining companies will bring R105 million for road maintenance, while the De Beers Group is upgrading a 5km stretch on D1589 in Blouberg.  

Rachoene recognized Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, President of CONTRALESA, Kgoshi Malekutu Phaudi Mphahlele and ANC Provincial Secretary Reuben Madadzhe, alongside Premier Ramathuba, Portfolio Committee Chair Hon. Mashiane and SCOPA Chair Hon. Esther Mokwele.  

‘The people are waiting, and we must deliver’  

Quoting President Thabo Mbeki, Rachoene closed: “Whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop us now.” He thanked his team, the Dikgerekgere workers, labour unions and his family.  

“The people of Limpopo are waiting, and we must deliver,” he said.

With roads fixed, jobs created and partnerships bringing R105 million into the province, the budget is positioned to do exactly that – boost Limpopo’s economy from the ground up.