The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the formulation, co-ordination, implementation and management of South Africa's foreign policy and international relations programmes throughout the world.

Liaison with foreign government on matters is effected through either the Minister of Foreign Affairs or through the Department of Foreign Affairs or through South Africa's accredited representative's abroad. The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the application and execution of all aspects of South Africa's foreign policy as entrusted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the President.

The Department is primarily responsible for:

• foreign relations
• foreign representation
• travelling (consular services).