The Strategic Support Department falls under the Executive Support Services. The main purpose of this department is to provide strategic advice, information and support to the municipality. Its key functions are:

• The development and implementation of special programmes (gender, youth, disabled, aged and HIV/Aids).
• The provision of administrative and logistical support to the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor, Speaker, mayoral committee, Chief Whips, councillors and ward committees.
• The provision of strategic support in order to ensure the implementation of fast-track transformation initiatives.
• The promotion of Buffalo City's image and effective maintenance of relations with internal and external communications.
• The establishment and maintenance of effective communication strategies.
• The management of corporate customer call and service centres.
• The management of the City Hall.

The Strategic Support Department has two divisions:

• Mayoral support services; and
• Special programmes.

Mayoral Support Services
The purpose of this division is to provide administrative and logistical support to the Political Offices. Its key functions are:

• The provision of administrative, logistical and advisory support to the Executive Mayor, Deputy Executive Mayor and Speaker.
• The provision of Mayoral Committee support.
• The provision of administrative support to the Chief Whips, councillors and Ward committees.

Special programmes
This division has been established in order to develop and implement special programmes in line with issues, objectives and strategies outlined in the IDP. Its key functions are:

• The development and implementation of special programmes, ie gender, youth, disabled, aged and HIV/Aids.
• The conducting of community needs assessment.
• The development of community participation and capacity-building programmes.