"You are an extension of the government and the most important vehicle of government," she said.

The Community Development Workers' Programme (CDWP) forms part of the department's priority programmes.

The workshop is aimed at highlighting the department's vision to promote social cohesion and inter-governmental service delivery planning, and to create a platform for conversations between national and provincial departments to ensure uniformity of work.

Some of the challenges raised included the placing of CDWs, reporting mechanisms, resource allocation and referral issues from call centres.

The deputy minister further called on CDWs to have the right attitude towards their work.

"You need to have the right attitude based on the principles of service because your work entails providing a service to people," said Dlodlo.