The aim of the Department of Provincial and Local Government is to develop and promote a national system of integrated and co-operative governance and to support provincial and local government.

The primary mandate of the Department is:

• To develop and monitor national policy and legislation that seeks to transform and strengthen government authorities to fulfil their roles.
• To develop, promote and monitor mechanisms, systems and structures to enable integrated service delivery within government.
• To promote sustainable development by providing support to provincial and local government.

The Department offers services relating to the following:

• financial systems
• legal systems
• intergovernmental relations systems
• performance management systems
• traditional leadership and institutions
• infrastructure
• development planning systems
• local economic development
• human resource development systems
• information and information technology systems.