This does however, complicate service delivery and access to justice in the province. Community advice offices (CAOs) are thus very important in Mpumalanga, because they offer free basic legal information and advice to people in the communities where they live.

There are 14 CAOs in the province, represented on a provincial level by the Mpumalanga Paralegal Advice Office Consortium. This Consortium promotes and develops coordination between the community advice offices.

Established in December 2007, the Mpumalanga Paralegal Advice Office acts as a mouth-piece for CAOs. They lobby provincial and local government to recognise the important role that the unsung heroes working in CAOs play in poor and marginalised communities.

They are also lobbying for the proper training of community-based paralegals and they are working towards establishing a code of conduct.

Many different economic activities are undertaken in this province, including coal-mining and dairy, tropical fruit, sugar, and wool farming. When labourers need to be informed of their rights, they can go to the community advice offices.Even though Mpumalanga is one of the smallest provinces, it has a population of about 3,6 million. So, although there is a lot of economic activity, unemployment still stands at 22,9% (Labour Force Survey March 2008). CAOs in the province help individuals to access social security.

Mpumalanga is the province with the second highest HIV rate in South Africa. CAOs in the province often advise on rights relating to HIV and home based care – a much-needed service in this country.