The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has completed the reconstruction of The Dome, a temporary structure originally used for Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013.
Public Works celebrates the completion of the R13m Dome
The Dome, now erected at the Nieuwmeester parking area in Cape Town, will serve as the National Assembly’s temporary venue while Parliament undergoes reconstruction following the 2022 fire.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has lauded the completion of the project, emphasising its role in ensuring uninterrupted Parliamentary proceedings.
“As the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we have successfully repurposed this structure, which had remained idle for many years, to help Parliament save millions in costs while the reconstruction of the National Assembly chambers continues,” Macpherson said.
The Dome features a new roof sail and structural reinforcements, designed to withstand all weather conditions.
It also provides a space for members of the public to observe proceedings in person, something that was restricted after the fire and the COVID-19 pandemic.
DPWI Director-General Sifiso Mdakane led the project, overseeing the work through the December holiday period to ensure the structure was completed before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and subsequent Parliamentary debates.
Was this a cost-saver?
The decision to construct The Dome has been framed as a cost-saving measure, but questions remain about the financial logic behind the move.
According to DPWI, the Dome project cost between R12 million and R13 million, but it remains unclear how this compares to the costs of continuing Parliamentary sittings at Cape Town City Hall.
Before approving Public Works’ request to resurrect The Dome in December 2024, the National Assembly held its sittings at City Hall, which the City of Cape Town made available free of charge.
While Macpherson argues that The Dome will help Parliament “save millions in costs,” the exact breakdown of these savings has not been disclosed.
The structure is expected to house Parliamentary sessions for the next one to two years while the National Assembly is rebuilt.
Questions remain, however, about the necessity of spending millions on a temporary facility when an alternative venue had already been in use.
With the Dome now complete and ready for use, attention will shift toward its effectiveness and whether the R13 million expenditure delivers the intended benefits over the coming months.
