MEC Tonny Rachoene’s Honours Graduation – A Masterclass in ‘Doing It All’

 Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Tonny Rachoene.

By Mpho Dube – Editor‑in‑Chief, The Azanian

When the Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Tonny Rachoene, stepped onto MANCOSA’s graduation stage, he wasn’t just clutching an Honours degree in Public Administration – he was holding up a mirror to a nation still debating whether books and politics can coexist. The answer, in his case, is a resounding yes.

Rachoene’s achievement is a potent reminder that education remains the most powerful lever of transformation. While juggling the massive Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant, the #21NewRoads programme, and the ever‑visible #DikgerekgereWednesdays campaign, he still found the discipline to attend late‑night lectures and draft research papers. That balance is not a fluke; it’s a deliberate act of prioritising knowledge over convenience.

For the skeptics who claimed his political hustle would drown his academic ambitions, the graduation ceremony served a slice of humble pie. It tells us that judging a person’s capability before fully digesting the facts is disingenuous. Rachoene’s journey proves that a leader can be effective, energetic, and ever‑present while also being a student of the systems he seeks to reform.

His story carries a second, equally vital lesson: young people need role models who embody possibility. As a former ANC Youth League provincial chairperson, Rachoene already carries the badge of youthful activism. Now, with an Honours degree in hand, he becomes a living blueprint that political fire and scholarly rigor are not mutually exclusive. He shows that one can be a catalyst for service delivery today while sharpening the analytical tools for tomorrow.

What makes Rachoene’s example especially compelling is his demeanor. Reports highlight his humility, readiness to listen, and willingness to roll up his sleeves—qualities seldom highlighted in the media’s spotlight. In a political landscape often quick to brand leaders as arrogant or aloof, his conduct offers a refreshing contrast. He reminds us that growth is a continuous process, and even a seasoned MEC must keep learning to avoid the pitfalls of ego.

Of course, no leader is flawless. The pressure of public office will inevitably bring criticism, and Rachoene will need to guard against letting detractors derail his focus. Yet his current trajectory sends a clear message: trust the process, stay the course, and let the work speak louder than the noise.

In the end, Tonny Rachoene’s graduation is more than a personal triumph; it’s a public affirmation that education is potent, imperative, and ever‑relevant. It forces us to rethink our assumptions, to pause before we judge, and to recognise that the best leaders are those who keep sharpening their minds even as they shape the world around them. If Limpopo’s roads are smoother and its communities more hopeful, it’s because a man who chose to study while he served is now better equipped to deliver.