- Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will request bi-weekly updates on the National Assembly’s restoration progress, aiming for completion by May 2026.
- The Development Bank of South Africa is managing the R2.1 billion project, currently delayed by recent heavy rains.
- Macpherson emphasises timely and budget-conscious reconstruction, highlighting the importance of fully operational parliament for South African democracy.
Two years since the National Assembly was gutted in a fire, Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, says he will be requesting bi-weekly updates on the progress made to restore the institution.
On Thursday 25 July, Macpherson conducted an oversight visit to witness headway to clear and reconstruct the ravaged building.
He was joined by Xolile George, secretary of Parliament, and Carol Phiri, chair of the portfolio committee on public works and Infrastructure.
About R2,1 billion has been set aside for this project. A completion date is envisioned for May 2026.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is the owner of the Parliamentary grounds but has handed over the reconstruction project to the Development Bank Of South Africa (DBSA) for implementation.
Macpherson says he wants to ensure that deadlines are met.
“I want to ensure that building is done on time and on budget. We cannot afford for this project to drag years on end and to be over budget. I understand that it is painstaking and hard work, I think there is room for us to ramp up the clearing of the rubble and to begin the demolition as quickly as possible.”
‘Tragedy’
Macpherson says the incident “should never have happened”.
“Clearly there were failures in maintenance in adhering to regulations that saw this tragedy unfold. We have to make sure that never happens again.”
Rubble is still being removed from the National Assembly chamber. This must be done before the main contractor is appointed in October.
According to the minister, the project has been set back a few days due to the severe rain experienced over the past few weeks.
“I am going to insist that we get bi-weekly updates from DBSA and from the contractors as to progress being made. I want to be a hands-on minister on this project, and I want to make sure that it remains on track and on budget.”
Macpherson says his priority is to get parliament fully operational again.
“The priority for us has to be to get parliament open so that the people of South Africa can participate in this parliament and that our members are able to debate questions facing the country in a way that is conducive to political debate.”
George says: “As we implement this project, we have to make sure that we comply with every aspect of the national heritage legislation that governs the precinct of Parliament.
“Even if we remove rubble, we have to make sure that it is in accordance with schedules. To remove it, you have to use certain equipment. Every stage must go through heritage council. For contracts above R400 million, the national treasury regulations require that you must set up structures to review every part of the decision.”
Timeously
When asked what refurbishments have been completed to date George said: “Our work is cut out to make sure that we deliver this project timeously. South Africans expect Parliament to be done. While the NCOP (National Council of Provinces) was slightly affected, it was restored in August (last year). Since August (last year) it can sit in its own house albeit with limitations.”
George explained that about 394 offices were gutted.
The National Assembly will be demolished and rebuilt when the main contractor is appointed in October.
Phiri added that Parliament is also considering the use of the “Dome”, a makeshift structure owned by the DPWI, which was used during the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela, for long-term use as a temporary chamber for the National Assembly while construction is taking place.
She highlighted the challenges posed by this temporary arrangement and reiterated the urgency for the DPWI to accelerate the pace of the project.
“The current situation, with members of Parliament working from a makeshift marquee in a parking lot, underscores the critical need for timely completion of the chambers.”
