PICS: Parliament releases sketches of new buildings – and asks for R1bn more
Secretary to Parliament Xolile George says the extra money is largely needed for information technology infrastructure that will make the new Parliament a world-class facility.
A bird's-eye view of hoarding and laydown plans to construct the National and Old Assembly buildings burnt in a fire two years ago. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - Parliament will need almost another R1 billion for the reconstruction and modernisation of its buildings that were destroyed by fire two years ago.
This is on top of the R2 billion National Treasury already set aside for the project.
Secretary to Parliament Xolile George, who is currently in Angola on a benchmarking exercise, says the extra money is largely needed for information technology infrastructure that will make the new Parliament a world-class facility.
Parliament's building restoration team expects the demolition of buildings that can't be saved or are not impacted by heritage considerations to start next month. Construction of the new buildings can then begin in August.
On Friday, preliminary design sketches were presented to the Joint Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament.
A design sketch of the exerior of the National Assembly, with the chamber acting as a canopy for yellowwood trees. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
A sketch from a different angle of how the restored National Assembly building could look after construction is complete. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
A design sketch of what the new exterior of the National Assembly building, gutted in a fire two years ago, could look. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
A design concept for the Old Assembly building. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
With the Yellowwood tree a focal point of the new National Assembly building, the chamber will accommodate at least 600 members, with space in the public gallery for over 700 people.
A sketch of upgraded chamber seating in the National Assembly, accommodating over 1,000 people. Picture: Supplied/Parliament
George said the design phase was more than 40% complete, but at least another R943 million is needed for information technology.
“We have no crystal ball at this point to be able to say will it be R2 billion, will it be R2.5 billion, will it be R3 billion. All of those figures will come out of the detailed design phase.”
Rubble removal delays have led to the completion date being pushed out by another three months, to February 2026.