The Department was working for the realisation of South Africa's foreign policy objectives. These were to be achieved through coordinating and aligning South Africa's international relations abroad; monitoring developments in the international environment; communicating government's policy positions; developing and advising government on policy options. Its mandate extended to creating mechanisms and avenues for achieving objectives; protecting South Africa's sovereignty and territorial integrity; contributing to the creation of an enabling international environment for South African business; sourcing development assistance and assisting South African citizens abroad.