The department revised its vision and mission during the restructuring processes in order to align itself with the new mandate. The vision, according to the Interim Strategic Plan (2009-2012) is "to create and maintain an equitable and sustainable land dispensation as a catalyst in rural development that ensures rural livelihoods, decent work and continued social and economic advancement of all South Africans". The mission is "to provide enhanced land rights to all South Africans with particular emphasis on black people in rural human settlements that would result in increased food production, food security and improved quality of life".