ACR 210: The Province of Gauteng in South Africa: sister state relationship.

WHEREAS, The Province of Gauteng is South Africa’s economic engine, generating approximately one-third of the nation’s gross domestic product in 2025, and serving as a continental hub for finance, innovation, manufacturing, and trade; and

WHEREAS, Gauteng is home to around 15,000,000 residents, the highest income population in South Africa, and recorded more than 312.5 billion rand, or about $18.6 billion, in new investment commitments in 2025 across sectors including information and communication technology, manufacturing, logistics, green energy, and property development; and

WHEREAS, California and Gauteng share complementary strengths in technology, clean energy, research, advanced manufacturing, and creative entertainment industries, and both regions anchor major universities, innovation centers, and globally connected economies; and

WHEREAS, Gauteng’s Special Economic Zones, data center capacity, and leadership in the African Continental Free Trade Area create unique opportunities for California companies and institutions to expand economic, educational, and scientific engagement with Africa; and

WHEREAS, California State University, Sacramento has established a memorandum of understanding with the Province of Gauteng addressing shared social and academic priorities, demonstrating that the foundation for meaningful people-to-people and institution-to-institution collaboration between California and Gauteng is already underway; and

WHEREAS, Gauteng played a central role in South Africa’s transition from apartheid and continues to advance internationally recognized work in truth and reconciliation, restorative justice, and community healing, offering valuable insight for California’s pledge to equity and justice for all; and

WHEREAS, Both California and Gauteng are committed to sustainable development, climate resilience, workforce training, and building inclusive economies that reduce inequality and expand access to opportunity; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby extends an invitation to the people and government of the Province of Gauteng in South Africa to enter into a sister state relationship with California focused on high-impact cooperation in economic development, innovation, education, sustainability, and cultural exchange; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the strengthening of existing partnerships, including the memorandum of understanding between California State University, Sacramento and its Gauteng counterpart, and calls upon California’s universities, research institutions, and public agencies to explore new memoranda of understanding with Gauteng-based counterparts in areas of mutual interest, including, but not limited to, workforce development, public health, climate resilience, technology transfer, and the advancement of equity and social justice; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Premier of Gauteng Province, the Consul-in-Charge of South Africa in the City of Los Angeles, the Governor of California, and each Member of Congress representing California.