Chairperson, firstly, the government approved its Medium- Term Strategic Framework, MTSF, for the period 2009 to 2014 in July 2009. This spells out its plan for the next five years. The new performance process is an extension of the MTSF, and we are in the process of developing measurable outcomes and outputs against which Ministers' departments need to deliver. Once Cabinet has approved these outcomes, they will be formally communicated to Ministers.
Secondly, the document improving government's performance was launched for the public on 4 September, and it describes our approach in more detail. This is not a rating system, as the question suggests, but a mechanism to direct our delivery and assess our performance on a regular basis. The six- month reports from Ministers to the President will have two objectives: to assess the progress made in six months towards, what in all cases are long- term targets, and identify blockages to delivery that need attention. This approach is a reflection of how seriously the Presidency takes the responsibility of planning and improving performance, and the consequences for not meeting delivery targets will be decided upon by the President.
Thirdly, government is committed to keeping the South African public and Parliament fully informed of its plans and progress in implementation. Regular reports, publications and addresses to Parliament will be used to report on performance. Thank you.