The Gauteng Executive Council held a special meeting to discuss and make significant decisions regarding various urgent matters. The council approved a new concessionaire for Gautrain, discussed a potential railway link between Gauteng and Limpopo, and announced several new appointments.
Gautrain Concessionaire Approval
The Gauteng Executive Council granted permission for the Gautrain Management Agency to proceed with the planning and development of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new concessionaire to operate the Gautrain system. The current Gautrain concession agreement is set to expire in March 2026. A subcommittee of the Executive Council will oversee the political aspects of the process.
Gauteng-Limpopo Railway Link
The possibility of establishing a railway link between Gauteng and Limpopo provinces was discussed during the meeting. This follows an April 2023 discussion between Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha. Both premiers agreed on conducting a concept study to evaluate the feasibility of such a railway link and explore possible options for its implementation.
New Appointments
The Executive Council also announced several new appointments:
Director General for Gauteng Provincial Government
Mr. Edward Mosuwe has been appointed as the Director General in the Office of the Premier, effective from 1 May 2023. He will be filling the vacancy left by former Presidency Director General, Ms. Phindile Baleni. Mr. Mosuwe has an extensive background in public service, having served as the Head of Department for the Gauteng Department of Education since 2015.
Throughout his 18-year career, Mr. Mosuwe has demonstrated expertise in strategic leadership, management, and policy development. Under his leadership, the Gauteng Department of Education received recognition as the best performing social cluster department in 2018/19 and 2019/20 by the Premier of the Province of Gauteng.
Gauteng Partnership Fund
The Executive Council has approved the appointment of board members for the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF). The GPF is an entity of the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, serving as a funding and implementing agent for integrated and sustainable human settlements in the Gauteng City Region.
The appointed board members are as follows: Mr. Gilberto Martins, Ms. Mpho Hlahla, Mr. Leon Maricowitz, Mr. Craig Cornish, Adv. Maseapo Kganedi, Ms. Rethabile Kikine, Mr. Godfrey Tsotetsi, Mr. Ezra Ndwandwe, Ms. Nangamso Matebese, Mr. Litha Mbokotho, Ms. Busi Mhaga, and Ms. Gugulethu Phakathi.
The Gauteng Executive Council’s special meeting resulted in several important decisions and appointments that will have a significant impact on the future of the province. These decisions include the approval of a new concessionaire for Gautrain and the possibility of establishing a railway link between Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. The council also announced new appointments, including the appointment of Mr. Edward Mosuwe as the Director General for Gauteng Provincial Government and the board members for the Gauteng Partnership Fund.
