MEC Rachoene Budget Speech Inspires Various Stakeholders Countrywide

Limpopo Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tonny Rachoene.

Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tonny Rachoene painted the Limpopo Lebowakgomo Legislature in yellow and orange with the department’s regalia, working tools, equipment and machineries during his budget speech presentation this week.

MEC Rachoene’s initiative charmed various stakeholders who came to witness this milestone which put Limpopo on the map barely a month after the MEC for Treasury in Limpopo Kgabo Mahoai announced the allocation for the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure is R15.274 billion in the next three financial years. In 2025/26 an allocation of R5.627 billion is made available, which includes conditional grant funding of R2.068 billion for provincial roads maintenance.

“Allow me to take this opportunity and indicate that the Dikgerekgere Wednesdays service delivery initiative which is aimed at re-graveling, blading and roads side de-bushing is yielding positive results in communities. Many of our communities are now easily accessible. To further capacitate our internal Roads and Infrastructure Directorate we have set aside R2.055 billion for Roads Maintenance Grant (PRMG). Through the internal roads and infrastructure programme, we were able to birth the #DikgerekgereWednesday to make sure that our gravel roads are drivable,” Rachoene said.

The Limpopo provincial government of the 7th administration confirmed that in the 2025/26 financial year, a total of R577.675 million is earmarked for the implementation of provincial priorities and this includes R150.000 million for the settlement of municipal rates and taxes, R100.000 million for procurement Road Fleet and Equipment, R100.000 million for the procurement of office building and R89.000 million for the construction of 15 additional parliamentary houses.

MEC Rachoene said: “In the 2024/25 financial year, we procured through the earmarked allocation of R100-million, new yellow fleet and related machinery, as part of building internal capacity as far as tools of trade is concerned. Today we welcome another earmarked funding of R100-million pronounced by MEC for Provincial Treasury, Honourable Mahoai for the 2025/26 financial year, for the same course.”

Public Works fleet geared to enhance roads and infrastructure in Limpopo.

Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure fleet, machinery and equipment at the Limpopo Legislature in Lebowakgomo.

He also confirmed that his department has been able to stabilise the Department’s Infrastructure Directorates to ensure that we reclaim our mandate to implement infrastructure on behalf of all departments, including Education and Health. Special attention was given to Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) to reshape it and ensure that it responds to the needs of our communities. “The hiring of these warm bodies, including the RAL Board of Directors will indeed strengthen internal capacity,” the MEC said.

Responding to unemployment in the province the department in December 2024, unveiled at least 174 newly appointed officials to bolster human resource and assist in the roads infrastructure space. About  two weeks ago, on April 1st , 2025, we welcomed 168 new officials appointed on a permanent basis, joining the Public Service to serve the people of Limpopo.

“We can proudly say in a space of five (5) months, we welcomed a total of 342 permanent officials. When we talk about contributing to the reduction of unemployment and addressing capacity challenges, we are not just paying lip service, we have a human resource department that works around the clock to ensure we get more people to actively participate in the economy of the country,” MEC Rachoene said.

In capacitating the emerging contractors the department has enrolled 36 learner contactors, who already have started their training from the 7th April 2025 as part of the Limpopo Contractor Development Programme (LCDP).

“The objective is to develop and skill emerging contractors who are at lower Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading of level 2 and 3 and within 36 months, these contractors will be thoroughly developed to a competitive level of grade 4 and 5. Of the 36 emerging contractors that we enrolled, 67% are young people and 53% of these learners are women,” MEC Rachoene confirmed.

He announced that discussions with Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services (MERSETA) have been concluded and have agreed on a partnership Value of R20- million.

MEC Tonny Rachoene and Contralesa President Kgoshi LM Mokoena who supported him during his budget speech on Tuesday at Limpopo Leowakgomo Legislature.

MEC Tonny Rachoene and Kgoshi Kgabo Solomon Moloto III who supported him as well during his budget speech presentation.

Following his passion of engaging with traditional leaders, Rachoene confirmed that his department is implementing infrastructure on behalf of the Cooperative Governance, Human settlements and Traditional Affairs. “This is a department which is very close to my heart as it services Makgoshi a rena, ma apara nkwe. In providing support to traditional councils across the province, we have provided infrastructure for council offices on behalf of CoGHSTA. In the 2024/25 financial year, we completed the construction of three council offices that are Raphahlelo in Mopani District, Mphaphuli in Vhembe District and the Matlala -a-Thaba council office in Capricorn District. In the 2024/25 financial year, we commenced the construction and refurbishment of seven traditional council offices, that are Bakone, LithoNdzundza and Mapela in the Waterberg district, Makuya in Vhembe district, Bashayi-Ditlou in Mopani District, Mampane in Sekhukhune district and the Ditlou-Manchidi in Capricorn district. These projects will continue into 2025/26 financial year and will be completed in the second and fourth quarters respectively,” the MEC said.

The department also made positive strides that have been made in relation to the much talked about St Engenas Zion Christian Church Interchange.

“The designs are now complete. A contractor will be appointed by the end of April 2025 and construction work will start in earnest. The Honourable Premier Dr. Ramathuba will then lead a sort-turning ceremony marking the start of the construction work for this important milestone, by the end of May 2025. The interchange will ease congestion and improve safety, especially during pilgrimage periods. An earmarked funding of R125- million is allocated to that effect,” Rachoene confirmed.

He said in 2025/26 an allocation of R5.627 billion is made available, which includes conditional grant funding of R2.055 billion for provincial roads maintenance.

Programme 1: Administration: Provides support to the departmental operations, is allocated R638.852 million.

Programme 2: Infrastructure operations: Has mandate that includes the determination of accommodation requirements, rendering expert-built environment services to client departments as well as the acquisition, management, maintenance and disposal of provincial government land and buildings is allocated R1.2 billion.

Programme 3: Expanded Public Works Programme: Responsible for the coordination and implementation of EPWP across sectors is allocated R 91.010 million Programme

4: Roads Infrastructure: Responsible for road infrastructure maintenance is allocated R3.632 billion Entity: Roads Agency Limpopo: Responsible for road infrastructure upgrade will receive R958.617 million.

MEC Rachoene said he will continue to accelerate service delivery through his various initiates such as; particularly on Infrastructural development such as; #7thAdministration , #DiloDiChenchitje , #MiningIndaba25 , #DikgerekgereWednesdays , #StakeholdersTuesdays , #LetsGrowLimpopoTogether and #LeaveNoOneBehind.