​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the provincial government will now put a special focus on tackling unemployment through economic recovery and reconstruction. 
Makhura said it was all hands-on deck as government moves from the public health emergency to the economic and service delivery emergency. 
"After so much death and destruction of lives and livelihoods, it is time to rebuild and do so with the greatest sense of urgency, single-mindedness and coordination demonstrated during our emergency response to COVID-19." 
Addressing lawmakers during the State of the Province Address, Premier Makhura said the province would work closely with municipalities. The province will work with all sectors of the economy in the war room to make the economy and jobs the number one priority over the next two years.
"We have learnt many lessons in our battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. These lessons include mobilisation of social compacting, promptly and decisively acting against crime and corruption in government and society as well as inter-departmental and inter-governmental cooperation to avoid government working in silos."
This he said, will be done by working closely with municipalities and the national government to urgently accelerate service delivery and improve access to housing, electricity, water, sanitation, road maintenance, visible policing, quality education and health
The Premier said the Provincial War Room in which government and industry leaders have joined forces to drive economic recovery, unlock growth in every sector and create sustainable jobs as well to support SMME development.
"Through the war room, we are working with the captains of industry on programmes that will unleash growth by matching public policy support and government action with consolidated commitments by sector leaders on investments and jobs."
Makhura said special focus will be on creating jobs and economic opportunities for the people of Gauteng, especially the youth and women.
Key to this strategy is the Cannibas industry.
The province has been interacting extensively with the Cannabis Industry role players and have identified the unique economic opportunities of the industry in Gauteng. 
"This year we will establish a dedicated unit within the provincial government to work with the industry and national government to address regulatory and licensing issues, attract investment, and facilitate black participation in this new sector that has enormous medicinal and industrial potential.
"We will give further feedback on the work being done in other sectors, such as the creative and cultural industries, freight and logistics, finance, and construction and infrastructure once this work is concluded by the relevant MECs and industry leaders and is ready to be turned into sectoral and localised social compacts."
He said the province was working on opening up value chains, building competitive local content production, promoting commercially meaningful enterprises, supplier development, SMMEs and township enterprises.
"The war room has now initiated a programme of quarterly sector action labs with industry representatives focusing on problem-solving and social compacting platforms. 
"In partnership with the Public-Private Growth Initiative (PPGI), we will work with businesses, organised labour, SOEs and relevant national government department to re-ignite the Gauteng economy," highlighted the Premier.
The Premier said the war room has also provided work in the ICT and digital services sector. 
This work draws in experts, policymakers, and businesspeople from across the digital economy landscape to support the implementation of the Gauteng Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) strategy. 
Gauteng's Ekasi Labs, Township Cloud Zones and Hot-Desking Hubs will be optimal sites for new data centres and big investments in communication technologies.
The provincial government has also partnered with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to turn the province's mounting e-Waste (disposal of electrical appliances and electronic devices) problem into an economic opportunity and protect the environment. 
"Through this partnership, the youth will be inspired and trained to recycle and create something meaningful from discarded devices and appliances," he added.
On aviation, the province working together with the Aviation Industry and the Tourism and Hospitality sector, is building a Gauteng Air Access partnership to attract more passenger and cargo airlines to operate from OR Tambo International and Lanseria Airports. 
In the food, beverage, agro-processing and agribusiness sectors, the province is working with industry players and organised farmers in partnership with the Agricultural Development Agency to ensure food security and promote urban agriculture as a key sector for employment and business.