Parliament, Wednesday, 3 December 2025 – The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament today welcomed the progress on the installation of the Nieuwmeester Dome, which will serve as Parliament’s temporary chamber. At the same time, reconstruction of the fire-damaged precinct continues.
The committee conducted an on-site oversight visit today, accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean MacPherson, and the contractor to assess whether the project is on track ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The committee received a preliminary update on the latest developments regarding strengthening the dome’s structural integrity. Members heard that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is receiving daily progress reports from the contractor and conducting weekly site visits to ensure the work is on track.
The project costs about R30 million and is a joint financial and operational undertaking between the DPWI and Parliament. The Minister told committee members that the dome is scheduled to be handed over before the SONA next year. He said progress is being tracked daily in line with agreed timelines.
The committee heard that construction started on 28 October following a procurement and evaluation process. The site was formally handed over to the contractor on 12 November. Completion is scheduled towards the end of January 2026. The Minister said managing the project includes weekly technical and progress meetings, daily reporting to his office and coordination with Parliament to mitigate risks.
The co-Chairpersons expressed the committee’s satisfaction with the progress to date. They said the visit provided clarity on what to expect next year and confirmed that the work is moving in the right direction. “We are encouraged by what we have seen today,” said Ms Sanny Ndhlovu, co-Chairperson. “The Minister and the project team took us through the site, and it is clear that work is advancing. Based on the timelines presented, we believe the dome will be ready for the State of the Nation Address debates next year. The contractor has assured us that many of the previous concerns have been addressed, and we welcome that,” the Chairperson said.
The committee also welcomed the Minister’s undertaking to provide weekly reports. “Regular updates give us confidence that the project is being closely monitored and that any challenges can be addressed quickly,” said Ms Ndhlovu. “As we receive these reports, we will continue to keep the public informed.” The co-Chairperson assured the public that the committee will conduct additional oversight visits to verify progress on the ground, where necessary. “If any challenges arise, the Minister will be able to inform us directly. This strengthens accountability and ensures that Parliament is kept up to date at all times,” Ms Ndhlovu said.
The committee acknowledged that several elements of the project will be the responsibility of Parliament, including security systems, audio-visual installations and VIP furniture for holding rooms. Getting these components operational will proceed in parallel with the department’s construction work. The immediate priority for both institutions remains ensuring that the temporary chamber is fully functional and ready for use early next year.
“The committee will continue to monitor the project closely and remains committed to ensuring that Parliament has a secure and fully operational environment for its constitutional work in 2026,” the co-Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSON OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT, MS SANNY NDHLOVU.
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