Ernest Sebataolo "Tony" Rachoene (born 2 March 1988) is a South African politician from Limpopo. A member of the African National Congress (ANC), he has been Limpopo's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure since June 2024.
Tony Rachoene | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Limpopo Executive Council for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure | |
| Assumed office 20 June 2024 | |
| Premier | Phophi Ramathuba |
| Preceded by | Nkakareng Rakgoale |
| Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office 14 June 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ernest Sebataolo Rachoene 2 March 1988 |
| Party | African National Congress |
| Profession | Politician |
Early life and education
editRachoene was born on 2 March 1988.[1] While serving in government, he completed an honours degree in public administration at MANCOSA.[2]
Political career
editRachoene rose to political prominence as the provincial chairperson of the ANC Youth League's Limpopo branch.[3][4] In the May 2024 general election, while still heading the Youth League branch, he was elected to represent the ANC in the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, ranked fifth on the provincial party list.[1] He was also appointed to the provincial government: announcing her new Executive Council on 18 June 2024, newly elected Premier Phophi Ramathuba named Rachoene as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure.[5]
Within months of his appointment to the Executive Council, Rachoene launched a protracted battle over the governance of Road Agency Limpopo, one of the public entities in his portfolio;[6] he dissolved the agency's board and suspended its CEO,[7] leading to a lawsuit in which the Polokwane High Court ruled his actions unlawful.[8][9]
In March 2026, following his graduation from the Youth League, Rachoene was elected as an ordinary member of the mainstream ANC's Provincial Executive Committee.[10] The committee also selected Rachoene as the party's provincial spokesperson.[11][12]
References
edit- 1 2 "Final Candidate Lists for 2024 National and Provincial Elections: Provincial Candidates" (PDF). Electoral Commission of South Africa. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ↑ Dube, Mpho (22 October 2025). "MEC Tonny Rachoene graduates with honours, proves books & politics can mix". The Azanian. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Matlala, Alex Japho (10 May 2023). "ANCYL Limpopo: Calls for Mathabatha to reshuffle his Cabinet and appoint young people". The Citizen. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Masungwini, Norman (10 March 2025). "ANCYL in Limpopo demands top position". News24. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ "Premier Phophi Ramathuba on appointment of Limpopo Executive Council". South African Government. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ↑ Masungwini, Norman (23 February 2025). "Limpopo Roads MEC loses another court case after spending R15m in legal fees". News24. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Masungwini, Norman (1 September 2024). "MEC Tony Rachoene suspends RAL CEO after purging the board". News24. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Masungwini, Norman (9 October 2024). "Limpopo MEC for public works loses battle as court reinstates road agency CEO and board". News24. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Masungwini, Norman (19 September 2024). "Limpopo MEC given an ultimatum to reinstate CEO of road agency". News24. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Kwinda, Emmanuel (29 March 2026). "Three MECs miss out as ANC Limpopo elect new PEC". Limpopo Chronicle. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ AmaShabalala, Mawande (8 April 2026). "Tonny Rachoene appointed ANC Limpopo spin doctor". Sunday World. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Malatji, Ngwako (9 April 2026). "ANC appoints new spin doctor in this province!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
External links
edit- Ernest Sebataolo Rachoene at People's Assembly