Mr M Mnyani, the Head of Department (HOD), gave an overview of the provincial department. He explained that the merger between the Department of Local Government and the Department of Housing resulted in the creation of the Department of Local Government and Housing. This meant that the delivery of essential services to advance the lives of ordinary people had to be mainstreamed and ensured. This was crucial in that Gauteng is the smallest province with largest population, which grows rapidly as a result of migration and natural growth.