🎓 MEC TONNY RACHOENE GRADUATES WITH HONOURS, PROVES BOOKS & POLITICS CAN MIX

Mpho Dube
5 hours ago
2 min read

Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tonny Rachoene

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

The Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Tonny Rachoene, has added a new feather to his cap – a Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours) from MANCOSA, earned while steering one of the province’s most demanding portfolios.

In a ceremony held at MANCOSA’s campus, MEC Rachoene walked across the stage beaming, clutching his honours degree parchment. The achievement is more than a personal milestone; it’s a loud statement that even a senior politician can carve out time for academic excellence amid a relentless schedule of road‑building, service‑delivery blitzes, and cabinet duties.

Rachoene’s journey to the podium was anything but ordinary. While overseeing the rollout of #DikgerekgereWednesdays, the #21NewRoads programme, and the massive Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant (PRMG) projects, he also juggled late‑night study sessions, virtual classes, and research assignments. “I had to balance boardroom meetings with lecture halls, but the knowledge I gained sharpens my decision‑making and helps me serve Limpopo better,” he said, speaking to a crowd of fellow graduates, faculty, and media.

Colleagues and students alike hailed the MEC as an inspiration. “His dedication shows that leadership and learning go hand‑in‑hand. He’s proof that you can be a politician and still prioritize education – a message our youth need to hear.”

The Honours programme deepened Rachoene’s grasp of governance, policy analysis, and strategic management—tools he now deploys to accelerate service delivery in the province. From revamping the D2454 road that serves Dalmada’s schools and farms, to championing the Leeto la Polokwane IPTN project, his new academic insights are already feeding into more efficient project planning and community engagement.

Rachoene’s achievement resonates beyond the political arena. Young South Africans watching the hustle of public office often think the path of politics and academia are mutually exclusive. “Seeing someone like MEC Rachoene graduate while still in office tells our youth that you can be a leader, a student, and a catalyst for change all at once,” said Linda Mabaso, a 22‑year‑old student who attended the graduation.

In his acceptance speech, Rachoene urged peers and the next generation: “Never let a busy schedule be an excuse. If I could carve out time for this degree, you can carve out time for your dreams. Let’s keep building Limpopo, and let’s keep building ourselves.”