Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2009 |
Preceding Department |
|
| Jurisdiction | Government of South Africa |
| Headquarters |
|
Minister responsible |
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| Website | www |
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is a department of the Government of South Africa responsible for managing relations between the national, provincial and local spheres of government, as well as overseeing traditional leadership and indigenous governance structures in South Africa.[1]
The department was formerly known as the Department of Provincial and Local Government. Following a restructuring of government departments in 2009 under President Jacob Zuma, the department was reorganised into the Department of Cooperative Governance and the Department of Traditional Affairs, both operating under the CoGTA ministry.[2]
The department operates according to the constitutional principle of cooperative governance, which promotes coordination and cooperation between South Africa’s three spheres of government.[3]
Functions
The department is responsible for:
- Supporting and monitoring municipalities and provincial governments
- Coordinating intergovernmental relations
- Overseeing disaster management and disaster response systems
- Promoting sustainable local government development
- Supporting traditional leadership institutions and traditional councils
- Facilitating rural development through traditional governance systems
The department works closely with municipalities, provincial governments, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
Traditional affairs
Traditional leadership is recognised under the Constitution of South Africa according to customary law. The department supports the institution of traditional leadership and promotes its role in rural development and community governance.[4]
The department also oversees matters relating to:
- Traditional councils
- Traditional leadership disputes and claims
- Initiation practices
- Khoi-San leadership recognition
- Indigenous customs and governance systems
COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the department played a central role in coordinating the national state of disaster declared in March 2020. Under the Disaster Management Act, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs was responsible for issuing and administering disaster management regulations.[5]
At the time, the ministry was headed by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2019 to 2023.[6]
Community development initiatives
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has also supported and recognised various community-based development initiatives working alongside local government structures to improve food security, youth empowerment and local economic participation.[7]
In 2025, the department publicly praised the Virtual State Programme, a community-based initiative operating in Sweetwaters and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal, for its contribution to agricultural development, skills development and community upliftment.[8]
According to reports, the programme has been involved in agricultural production, youth participation initiatives and local empowerment projects aimed at strengthening community self-reliance and sustainable rural development.[9]
Ministers
| Minister | Term |
|---|---|
| Sicelo Shiceka | 2009–2010 |
| Richard Baloyi | 2010–2014 |
| Pravin Gordhan | 2014–2018 |
| Zweli Mkhize | 2018–2019 |
| Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | 2019–2023 |
| Velenkosini Hlabisa | 2024–present |
See also
References
- ↑ "Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs". South African Government. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "President Cyril Ramaphosa announces reconfigured departments". The Presidency. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs". South African Government. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Traditional affairs". South African Government. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "The 2019/20 CoGTA Budget Vote Speech Delivered by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma". Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dept Budget Vote 2019/20". South African Government. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cogta heaps praise on Sweetwaters NGO for its positive impact on the community". The Witness. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cogta heaps praise on Sweetwaters NGO for its positive impact on the community". The Witness. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cogta heaps praise on Sweetwaters NGO for its positive impact on the community". The Witness. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
