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The Gauteng Executive Council, at its regular meeting on Wednesday 24 October 2012, welcomed the news that Gauteng will host the opening match between South Africa and Cape Verde and the final game of the 2013 edition of the African Cup ofNations (AFCON) football tournament. Other issues discussed by the Executive Council included:
 
1.    Magnificent Fridays

Preparations for the hosting of the tournament are proceeding smoothly with different departments working hard to get the province to host a superb and safe event.
A number of campaigns aimed at encouraging Gauteng communities to rally behind the tournament have been planned, including celebrating “Magnificent Fridays” – which starts today.  Gauteng will also be going all out to ensure that tourists stay an extra night in the province.
 
2.    Condolences

The Executive Council (EXCO) observed the loss of three talented achievers and patrons in the Arts and Sports fraternities this month.  These are media giant, Zwelakhe Sisulu; footballing great, Thomas Madigage and pohotographic doyen, Alf Kumalo.
The EXCO passed it its condolences to Sisulu, Madigage and Kumalo families on the untimely passing of their family members.
 
3.    International relations

3.1 The EXCO noted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gauteng Province and its DRC counterpart, the Katanga Province, on areas that will help the province facilitate exchange programmes such as good governance.
 
The MoU will also look at areas of infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, health, environment, transport, gender, family and child programmes, sports, youth and recreation.  Gauteng is further looking at collaboration within the mining sector, especially to promote and strengthen beneficiation capabilities in both provinces.
The exchange of information and expertise between the two provinces is intended to benefit key areas of development in both countries.
 
3.2 The meeting further noted the visit by the officials of the Ministry of Economy from Turkey to Gauteng.  The visit specifically took discussion on roads and other infrastructure construction projects planned in the short term.  The engagement focused on business opportunities for economic development in Gauteng.
Gauteng has been invited to Turkey from 18-23 November as part of the Department of Trade and Industry visit there. Key areas of co-operationwill be on energy investment in particular alternative energy, dry logistics hubs, jewellery beneficiation and partnerships for skills development in jewellery design, clothing and textile design.
 
3.3 In addition, the Gauteng government representatives, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory and the Wits University visited the cities of Shanghai and Chongqing in China.  The focus of the visit was on education, training of public servants, collaboration in public health, tourism promotion infrastructure investment and links between higher education institutions in Gauteng and partner cities in China.