Construction has begun on a temporary structure to house South Africa’s Parliament, as rebuilding efforts on the fire-damaged main buildings continue to face delays. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) officially handed over the site for the interim dome on Tuesday.

The dome, which is expected to be completed in just 24 days, will serve as the gathering place for MPs for the next two years. It has been likened to the structure used during Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013.

Officials confirm the dome will be ready in time for the 2025 State of the Nation Address, in February.

DPWI Director-General, Sifiso Mdakane, says the project ensures continuity in parliamentary operations in the time being.

“The erection of this structure is set to save the state a lot of money in terms of accommodating Parliament in the next two years.”

Eight shipping containers, carrying the components for the dome, were delivered to the site from Pretoria to kick-start construction. The DPWI says it has assigned architects and construction experts from its Prestige Unit to oversee the project. According to TimesLives, the project will cost around R31 million.

Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza and Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson have endorsed the temporary solution, which they say will allow Parliament to function effectively despite the delays.

The decision to create a temporary parliamentary home comes amid slow progress on rebuilding the historic Parliament buildings, which were gutted by fire in early 2022. Demolition of the damaged structures and rebuilding of the buildings was meant to begin in August 2024.

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The dome will be located at the Niewmeester Parking Site within the Parliament Precinct.

Follow the Parliament’s construction project: Rebuilding South Africa’s Parliament: The People’s Project