The mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is to strengthen cooperation among all spheres of government; support and build the capacity of local governance institutions; and facilitate and coordinate stakeholder engagement in pursuit of people-centred, accelerated service delivery.

The Department's strategic goals are: sustained performance of institutions of local governance; strengthened cooperative governance; efficient and effective oversight; and improved organisational capacity and proficiency of the Department and Ministry.