SALGA's programs are driven through its working groups, whilst the National Executive Committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the overall activities of SALGA. The working groups act as the policy and strategic engine of the organisation and serve as an important platform for the communication and coordination between SALGA national, provinces and municipalities.

The main purpose of working groups is to encourage, ensure and promote local government matters which, include:

• Cooperative governance;
• Consultation and coordination; and
• Participative decision-making.

The working groups, within their derived mandate, must develop policies, strategies and programmes to address critical local government issues.

Working groups serve as a forum through which organized local government can consult on a political level in order to contribute towards the creation of democratic and economically viable local government.

SALGA has nine established working groups and their functions are as follows:

Cllr Pule Shayi Chairperson: Capability and Institutional Resilience		Cllr Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane Chairperson: Municipal Digital Solutions		Cllr Nikiwe Num Chairperson: Water & Sanitation
Cllr Xolani Ngwezi Chairperson: Environmental Management & Climate Resilience		Cllr Xolani Sotashe Chairperson: Human settlement and Urban Agenda		Cllr Samkelo Janda Chairperson: Governance & Intergovernmental Relations
Cllr Thamsanqa Ngubane Chairperson: Electricity & Energy Provision & Public Works		Cllr Jane Naidoo Chairperson: Community Development and Security		Cllr Lerato Maloka Chairperson: Economic Development and Job Creation
Cllr Mluleki Ronald Nkosi Chairperson: Emergency Services and Disaster management		Cllr George Masegela Chairperson: Development Planning & Rural Development		Cllr Sebang Motlhabi Chairperson: Public Transport & Roads
Cllr Lesetja Dikgale Chairperson: Municipal Finance and Fiscal Policy