In an official handover ceremony on Friday, Parliament was pleased to accept the refurbished Dome from the Minister Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson. Accepting the Dome in the handover, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Dididza, said the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is working with Parliament to keep South Africa’s constitutional democracy alive and enable Parliament to continue Its work.
The handover marks a significant milestone in Parliament’s recovery, resilience and renewal efforts following the 2022 fire that damaged parts of the parliamentary precinct, the Speaker said. “The project reflects a collaborative partnership between Parliament and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to deliver a functional, secure and fit-for-purpose parliamentary facility, capable of supporting Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people of South Africa,” said Ms Dididza.
With the major refurbishment work concluded, the Dome officially becomes part of the parliamentary precinct once again. As such, the provisions of the Powers and Privileges of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act now apply to the facility, restoring the full authority, protection and operational status required for parliamentary sittings and proceedings.
The handover also enables Parliament to proceed with the final phase of technical readiness. “This includes the installation and commissioning of audio-visual and broadcasting infrastructure, ICT systems and official parliamentary branding to ensure the Dome is fully operational for sittings of the National Assembly and other parliamentary business,” she said.
The Dome will serve as a secure, fit-for-purpose and dignified temporary home for the National Assembly at a time when Parliament must continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without interruption. “We are pleased that the views and concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the need to ensure appropriate technical and structural enhancements to the Dome were carefully considered and addressed as part of the refurbishment process,” Speaker Dididza said.
Following approval in September 2024, the Dome was installed as a state-owned, reusable facility designed to host National Assembly sittings, joint sittings and other high-level national events throughout the reconstruction period.
The Speaker continued: “We commend a close cooperation between Parliament and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure that is supported by the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament, in delivering the project on time and within a constrained fiscal environment.”
A key success of the project was the process of scope rationalisation and value engineering, which reduced tenant fit-out costs by more than R8 million while preserving all core functionality and ensuring statutory compliance. This reflects a responsible stewardship of public funds.
The Dome represents a cost-effective and strategic investment for the State. Hiring external venues for parliamentary sittings is projected to cost an estimated R48 million per year, with no residual value, while the Dome represents a once-off investment and remains a reusable national asset for future parliamentary and state use.
Beyond cost considerations, the Dome ensures continuity of constitutional processes, reduces reliance on external venues, strengthens government resilience in hosting high-level national events, and provides a secure, acoustically equipped environment designed specifically for parliamentary work.
The timing of the handover is significant, as the Dome will host key events in February 2026, including National Assembly sittings, the debate on the State of the Nation Address, the President’s reply to the debate, and the National Budget Speech.
These are cornerstone moments in South Africa’s democratic calendar. The delivery of this facility ensures that they will take place in a venue that reflects dignity, functionality and institutional continuity. The refurbished Dome symbolizes Parliament’s resilience and adaptability, and demonstrates that even after significant disruption, democratic institutions can recover, reconfigure and continue to serve the people of South Africa with strength and purpose.
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