/ 24 June 2009

SA ministers to sign performance contracts

Ministers will have to sign performance contracts with President Jacob Zuma, Minister of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Collins Chabane said on Wednesday.

Chabane, speaking after Zuma’s budget speech in the National Assembly, said the contract would outline the required performance of ministers and will indicate ”the measurements of success”.

”On a quarterly basis all ministers will report back on the basis of a straightforward one-page report card.

”The president will provide feedback and guidance with the view to assist in removing the identified obstacles to ensure improved performance and delivery.”

Chabane said ministers would also sign delivery agreements with their officials.

”We are confident that this endeavour will help government reward good performance and detect bad performance as early as possible to ensure that corrective measures are implemented.”

He said his department’s initial focus in monitoring and evaluation would be to develop a performance management system for the seven priorities of basic education, health, safety, rural development, housing, job creation strategies and public sector capacity.

He said a draft green paper on the enhanced monitoring and evaluation and performance management system would be ready by September 2009.

The presidency was establishing a service delivery unit, whose task would be to ensure that non-delivery and blockages are turned around, Chabane said.

”This will help government continuously improve its service delivery capacity while promoting accountability on the part of those charged with the responsibility to deliver.” — Sapa