By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson on Friday officially handed over the Nieuwmeester Dome to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for next Thursday.
The dome, which has undergone a R31.7 million refurbishment, will serve as a temporary venue for parliamentary activities while the rebuilding of Parliament continues following the devastating 2022 fire at the Parliamentary Precinct.
Macpherson said the handover marked a critical step in restoring Parliament’s functionality during an important period in South Africa’s democratic journey.
“Since the fire, Parliament has had to secure alternative venues to continue its sittings, oversight responsibilities and the work that keeps our constitutional democracy alive,” Macpherson said.
“While these interim arrangements ensured continuity, they came with significant practical challenges, including logistics, availability, cost and operational complexity.”
He said the refurbishment focused on strengthening the structure to withstand Cape Town’s weather conditions, improving sound quality to ensure uninterrupted parliamentary proceedings, and ensuring the dome meets the operational and safety standards required for sittings of Parliament.
Macpherson noted that the refurbishment was completed within weeks, crediting departmental officials who worked through the festive season to deliver the project.
“Our Department has internal capacity that is often underestimated and at times unfairly dismissed. When there is clear direction, proper oversight and a demand for delivery, the Department can produce high-quality work at speed without compromising standards,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure team for completing the project.
He also stressed that parliamentary infrastructure should not remain dormant when not in use, saying public assets must be used responsibly to ensure value for money.
“When Parliament is in recess, public buildings should not stand empty. They have the potential to host events and conferences in a controlled manner, with appropriate security and operational requirements, and through a proper process that protects the integrity of the site while generating additional income,” he said.
“This is not about commercialising Parliament. It is about ensuring state-owned assets serve the public good consistently and reduce the burden on the public purse.”
INSIDE POLITICS