Almost one-million jobs were lost in 2010.

President Jacob Zuma made it clear to ANC and government leaders that job creation would be the mantra for 2011 as the meeting kicked off and was adamant that practical methods and not "theorising" and "wishy-washy" means were necessary.

"The president has instructed us... we must not go into commissions and theorise, we want concrete... plans," Mthembu said.

Zuma sat at the top table wearing a grey suit, flanked by his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe and ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa to one side and chairwoman Baleka Mbete, secretary general Gwede Mantashe and his deputy, Thandi Modise on the other.

The meeting would break up into commissions where the matter would be discussed further. The commissions would look at how different sectors, health and education for example, could contribute to job creation.

Mthembu conceded that despite making strides in other priority areas such as health, the ANC-led government had not done enough about employment.

The problem was exacerbated by the international economic climate.

"Where indeed we are lacking... is in relation to the creation of jobs."

The New Growth Path presented by Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel last year provided a framework for plans to boost job creation – it would "anchor" the job creation strategies developed. The ANC's NEC adopted the plan, which was presented at the three-day lekgotla.

It was unveiled by Patel in October last year.

However, ANC ally, the Congress of SA Trade Unions, criticised the growth path, saying it needed to be reworked.

Mthembu said the ANC was aware the plan was not perfect, but it needed a place to "start".

"We need to start somewhere but this is a good start. This is a framework that all of us should work on."

He added that the ANC welcomed input from Cosatu or any other sector, stressing that government could not achieve its targets on employment on its own, a "social pact" was needed with labour and business.

"At the end of the day all of us should put our heads together and say can we use this [the New Growth Path] as a framework."

Rural development – and creating work for those in rural areas –was another area the party would focus on, with a presentation expected from Minister Gugile Nkwinti later on Thursday.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was also expected to present on how the budget could be used to create decent work, Mthembu said.

A separate commission would delve into preparations for the upcoming local government elections.