Districts form the second level of South Africa's three-tier administrative structure, with 52 districts dividing the country's nine provinces into more manageable governance units. These districts serve as an intermediate layer between provincial governments and local municipalities, coordinating service delivery across multiple municipalities and managing functions that require economies of scale. District municipalities are responsible for integrated development planning, bulk infrastructure such as water and electricity supply, regional roads, and public transport planning within their boundaries. They play a crucial role in ensuring coherent governance across rural and smaller urban areas, though metropolitan areas operate as single-tier municipalities that combine district and local functions.