President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address (Sona) this year will be the first to be delivered in the context of the National Development Plan (NDP), the presidency said on Sunday.

"In Sona 2013, the president will provide an update on all key programmatic areas, especially the five priorities, education, health, creating decent work, the fight against crime; as well as rural development and land reform," the presidency said in a statement.

"He will also outline progress made in the implementation of the New Growth Path, the economic strategy within the NDP."

The New Growth Path promoted inclusive growth and job creation in six job drivers. These included infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and beneficiation, manufacturing, the green economy and tourism.

The presidency said preparations for the day were at an advanced stage.

Zuma will deliver the state of the nation address on Thursday to a joint sitting of Parliament.

The presidency said members of the public were invited to send their comments on what they would like to see in the state of the nation address, on Facebook and Twitter (@PresidencyZA).

On Tuesday, the first community and stakeholder outreach programme will start. This would give the public a chance to air their views on a number of issues.

Zuma will start by visiting the Tshwane South FET College in Mabopane, Pretoria. He will be accompanied by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, Public Enterprise Minister Malusi Gigaba and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

On the same day, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will visit farmers and farmworkers in Worcester. He will be accompanied by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tina Joematt-Petersen.

On Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manual and Deputy National Planning Commission Chair Cyril Ramaphosa will hold a dialogue with small business and the youth. They will also do walkabouts around Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha in Cape Town, promoting the NDP.

The day after the state of the nation Zuma will visit displaced families in Khayelitsha.