FAQ

There are three buildings that were affected by the fire – the National Assembly, the Link Building, and the Old Assembly. These buildings hold a historical significance based on aesthetic, scientific and social values, and have qualities that are rare.

The estimated repair and upgrade costs are R2.1 billion without ICT Modernisation.

Parliament has embarked on a transformative journey and among other things, seeks to be collaborative and responsive and further live up to its values of openness, professionalism, and teamwork. Parliament therefore believed that it was better positioned to take over the responsibility to manage the repairs and upgrade of the fire-damaged buildings so that its macro strategy framework and values are reflected in the planning and the building fabric. The aim was also that the look and feel of the buildings promote professionalism, collaboration, teamwork, and openness for maximum public access. In this regard, Parliament was better positioned to define the narrative from inception and ensure the design concepts and execution are aligned. The aim is to be build the Parliament of the future that reflects the rich tapestry of our cultural diversity.

Parliament appointed the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) on 6 March 2023 as an implementing agent to roll out the main works, including other work packages such as provision of new offices for members, rubble removal and asset recovery. The DBSA has a proven track record in implementing projects of this nature and is a state-owned enterprise.

Work on early packages started immediately after DPWI handed over the site to Parliament on 6 March 2023. This included the determination of safe access routes, asset verification, reconfiguration of the 4th and 5th floors of the 90 Plein Street building for members’ offices and rubble removal. These were since completed. The DBSA completed the appointment and contracting with the professional team at the end of June 2023 for the repairs and upgrade of the Old Assembly and the National Assembly. Project initiation was finalised in August 2023. The rebuilding project has various stages, but the expected completion date is 28 February 2026 after the ICT commissioning has been completed.

As alluded to earlier, R2 billion was appropriated based on high-level estimates. It was understood that the costing will be iterative based on the design concepts right up to final account.

A scope rationalisation exercise and the contracting strategy allowed for a least cost approach. The revised estimate after value engineerings for the main works and compliance electronics sits at at R 2.1 billion.

The specialised electronics in respect of Audio & Visual and Broadcasting form part of a sub-project requested by the ICT Department. This work is necessary to modernise the operations of Parliament and to gain efficiencies. The estimate cost for the additional ICT Modernisation is R943 million which includes allowances, contingency reserves, and professional fees.

The reconstruction project consists of four interdependent packages: the early works (Package A), Upgrades to the National Assembly and the Old Assembly (Package B), Precinct Master Plan (Package C), Total Facilities Management Framework (Package D).

Package A consisted of early works, including creating safe access routes, 3D scans and surveys, reconfiguration of the members’ offices, rubble removal and asset recovery, installation of a temporary roof to the Old Assembly building and the like. There is a whole inventory of artwork, books, and other movable assets that were recovered and are being processed for restoration and salvaging.

Package B: Upgrades to the National Assembly and the Old Assembly.

Package C: Formulation of a Precinct Master Plan to consolidate spaces adjacent to Parliament for security purposes. This is intended to make the Parliament campus function optimally from an operation and maintenance point of view and an improved user experience.

Package D: Put together a framework that will enable development of an Asset Management Strategy and User Asset Management Plan. Improve how assets are managed and define the appropriate resources to drive the strategy and plans.

Some of the key stakeholders:

User and line-functioned departments defined the project requirements.
Engagement with a multi-party forum on several occasions, which resulted in endorsement of the design concepts at a meeting on 19 January 2024.
A collaborative arrangement with the City of Cape Town which led to:
- Formation of an independent Gateway Review Committee.
- Engagements on pre-application processes for HPOZ and courtesy drawings submission.
The Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament noted the update and supported the project approach on 8 March 2024.
South African Heritage Resources Agency was engaged through iterative processes for guidance on the Heritage application requirements.
The security cluster gave guidance and its requirements.
The Director-General of DPWI was updated on the project objectives and progress and there were further engagements with the department on the demolition work application and co-ordination of the project.

Living out Parliament’s values of collaboration and public participation, the following stakeholders were engaged:

Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Stellenbosch University.
The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in respect of Work-integrated Learning.
The City of Cape Town
Cape Institute for Architects

As part of the formal SAHRA Permit process, conservation bodies and interested and affected parties will be consulted.

The wider public interest of this project is recognized and, to this end, Parliament is inviting the public to engage with the process and submit comments via this website.

Comments on the following themes and key issues are invited:

Expression of democracy and identity.
Social and spatial justice.
Mainstreaming of sustainability issues.
How innovation can be achieved.
How to capture our recent history through public art and commemorative statues.
How far to go in respect of public access and interface with the buildings...

Have your Say

Which buildings were affected by the fire and what are the estimated costs of repair?

Why did Parliament request to have the funds for the infrastructure delivery programme given directly to it?

What are the institutional arrangements for implementation of the rebuilding project?

When did the repairs and upgrade of the Old Assembly and the National Assembly start and when is the expected date of completion?

What are the cost estimates for the entire project?

What will be the cost to replace the ICT infrastructure that was damaged through the fire, including the modernisation element?

Please provide more information on what exactly does the rebuilding project entail?

Which stakeholders is Parliament working with in this rebuilding project? Also, noting that Parliament is a National Key Point, what provisions of the law must be complied with?

Besides government stakeholders like the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and National Treasury what other stakeholders is Parliament collaborating with and what are the specific areas of collaboration?

How is the public going to be involved in this rebuilding project and what specific areas will they be involved in?