A Diamond from Kimberly

Opinion Thabang Mokoka – There is a magic in a small package. This is a truth that we often forget in a world obsessed with loudness and mass. We seek leadership in broad shoulders and loud voices, but sometimes the strongest force is the silent and concentrated pressure that creates a diamond. And Kimberly, 46 years old, is really a rare gem, Mr. Tshepo Mthuli Mabilo, the new head of the Department for the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment.
I saw him just the other day, not in a suit-filled board room, but he was an agricultural exhibition in a himself. There he was, a picture of practical preparation, dressed not for the spread of glossy magazines, but for the real work of the land. He wore a beige short-sleeved shirt that breathed in the Highveld sun, paired with a practical khaki short that stopped just in the knee. His feet were well-worn, robust boots, coated with rich red soil from the Free State, a man who was not afraid to walk the land he was supposed to serve. It was a powerful look. This was not a bureaucrat who ruled from a chair with a high back; this was a man who understood that in order to lead the province’s bread basket, you had to first feel its soil between your fingers.
This is the man who wisely took the lead of MEC Elzabe Rockman. His appointment is not only a change of guard; it is a strategic deployment of a dedicated and experienced public servant whose career has been an outstanding preparation. Mabilo, a graduate of the University of Free State, holds a degree in B-Econ, B Econ Hons and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and is not a theoretical professor. Its roots extend to the governance structure of our province, ranging from the Free State Gambling, Alcohol and Tourism Authority Board to the key functions of the Provincial Treasury and the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport.
It is the embodiment of a new type of farmer for a new era. His tools are not only tractors and ploughs, but also deep expertise in strategic leadership, monitoring and evaluation and, perhaps most importantly, prudent financial management. In the service sector where clean audits and clean audits are the expected harvest, Mabilo is a master farmer who knows how to balance books, manage supply chains and ensure that all the seeds of public funds are productive for the people of the Free State and country at large.
I remember very well how I got him to appreciate Amapiano’s rhythms. He is a man of tables and policy documents, but I play Joe ujaiva ka mnandi. Initially, he heard the ear of an economist and analyzed the beat. But soon he got an infectious groove. He sees it not only as a song, but also as a metaphor: if work is good and service is beautiful, people dance. Now Jobe, Tshepo Mabilo, is the one who, this week, is beginning to dance in harmony with the economic trajectory of our bread basket. His next homework? To learn every word of Kurt Darren’s “Loslappie (Ek Wil Huistoe Gaan),” to buy 2 litres of Coca-Cola and premium Klipis, and to prepare his dance moves for Bingo Night. To lead a heartland, you must understand his heart, his rhythm and his simple joy.
His vision is critically needed, especially in the wider context of Africa. A recent RMB report, Where to invest in Africa 2025/26, focuses on Africa’s major investment destinations. The message is clear: the continent is full of opportunities. The Free State, our bread basket, must move aggressively within this narrative. We are not competing only with neighbouring provinces; we are competing on the continental stage. Mabilo’s understanding of finance and strategic budgets, developed in the Provincial Treasury for many years, is the exact toolkit needed to make the Free State a convincing entry into future investment guides.
I witnessed this strategic acumen firsthand during our time collaborating with the Free State Provincial Government Information and Technology Council (PGITOC) as a member. The team, collaborated, by championing two key areas: cost-saving and protection for growth. We fought for the adoption of the Microsoft National Government Framework—a battle that, astoundingly, took the Office of the Premier over six years to finally sign off on, long after other departments had reaped the benefits of its organizational efficiency. We also drove the strategic RT15 Cellphone contract for its adoption by National Treasury, which today is widely used to unlock other technology opportunities that advance service delivery.
It was in these trenches that Mabilo’s value became undeniable. His ideas, “dintse di butswa,” the sharp, insightful thoughts from the bread basket, were so potent that upon national government hearing them, we were confident in his deployment from Provincial Treasury to form part of the National Treasury working committees. We knew our direct interests—the interests of the Free State—would be lobbied through him. And successfully, we did. Our understanding was clear: we have a corporate responsibility that has far-reaching implications for the ordinary man on the street. It’s about creating job opportunities, ensuring citizens have efficient access to state services, and stimulating a circular economy through innovation and technology.
His manager, current Member of the Executive Council (MEC), Elzabe Rockman, has provided substantial backing for his ambition and achievements. This highlights the importance of a leader who actively fosters the professional development of their team. Their collaborative relationship provides an ideal environment for continued success.
It’s an interesting tale. Before Microsoft finalized its plans for a data center in Cape Town, the Free State Province, encouraged by Mabilo, aimed to be a leading force in the digital age. We had the idea, the strategy, and an influential figure with the financial and strategic expertise to present a strong case. However, government processes can be unpredictable. But then again… 🙄🙄🙄 sometimes the wheels of state turn in mysterious ways at a cost of a deferred opportunity cost that would have propelled the economic trajectory of the Province. The opportunity, for now, may have been a “re-prioritisation,” as they call it, but the blueprint remains.
Now that Tshepo Mabilo is in this important position, the plan is once again under the guidance of a highly skilled individual. He is a unique and valuable asset, refined by experience, deeply connected to his love for the Free State Province, and prepared to use both innovative approaches and sound financial practices to create a successful future for the Free State. The groundwork is laid, the leadership is in place, and the time for significant progress is now.
Disclaimer: Thabang Mokoka writes in his personal capacity

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