Administrative divisions of South Africa

The primary administrative divisions of South Africa are the nine provinces.

[1] Eight of South Africa's largest cities are governed as metropolitan municipalities, which exercise all municipal functions in their areas, in contrast with the divided responsibilities in areas with the district/local system (see below).

These cover large regions of the provinces, and are in turn divided into local municipalities (see below).

[2] The district municipalities are responsible for "district-wide" municipal functions, including development planning, bulk supply of utilities, arterial roads, and public transport.

In general, a local municipality includes one or more towns and the surrounding villages and rural areas.