MEC RACHOENE: BUILDING ROADS AND BUILDING RESPECT FOR TRADITION
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.
AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact
Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Tonny Ernest Rachoene is proving that real leadership builds both infrastructure and institutions.
In one week, the MEC has fixed two critical pillars of service delivery — honouring traditional leadership during Heritage Month, and accelerating road delivery through Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL).
According to an official statement from the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, MEC Rachoene together with MEC for COGHSTA Pule Shayi, hosted the Limpopo House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders for a special stakeholder engagement session.
The delegation was led by Chairperson Hosi Peni Ngove, accompanied by Deputy Chairperson Kgosi Boleu Rammupudu.
The main issue on the table was the dignity of the House — the provision of suitable office accommodation and a Chamber for the House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate.
MEC Rachoene did not postpone the matter. According to the Department, the two MECs committed to practical solutions.
In the short-term, the departments will consider suitable leasing arrangements to give the House immediate functionality. In the longer-term, plans will explore the construction of dedicated offices and facilities for the House.
To ensure delivery, a joint committee comprising officials from both departments has been tasked with assessing available options and making recommendations to inform the way forward.
The Department confirmed that the House welcomed the proposed interventions and expressed support for continued engagement and cooperation.
The timing is significant. The engagement takes place during Heritage Month, when South Africa celebrates its diverse cultural heritage, traditions and institutions.
In its official conclusion, the Department stated:"The meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between government and traditional leadership structures in addressing matters that contribute to the effective functioning and dignity of traditional leadership institutions in Limpopo."
That is not a personal quote. That is the official position of the Department — and it shows an MEC who understands that you cannot build smart cities without respecting the traditional leaders who guard the land.
On the same day, MEC Rachoene was also driving his core mandate — roads.
In a separate statement, the Department confirmed that MEC Rachoene engaged the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) Executive Management on implementation of service delivery projects across communities.
The engagement focused on accelerating delivery of road infrastructure and ensuring projects respond to community needs. The Department noted that residents across Limpopo are eagerly awaiting improved roads that will support safer travel, easier access to services, and local economic activity.
MEC Rachoene emphasised, according to the Department, the importance of ensuring that road infrastructure projects are implemented efficiently and with communities firmly at the centre of service delivery.
This is the Rachoene formula — #DikgerekereWednesdays is not a slogan, it is supervision. He sits with RAL, checks the plans, and pushes for delivery.
One MEC, two victories. He is restoring the dignity of traditional leadership with offices and a Chamber, and he is restoring the dignity of communities with better roads.
Heritage and development, moving together. That is Tonny Rachoene's Limpopo.
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