The R4.6 billion reconstruction of South Africa’s Parliament is 76% complete and remains within budget, according to the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Members of Parliament toured the construction site on Friday to inspect the new National Assembly building and chamber.
The redesigned chamber will be able to accommodate 1,200 people.
The DBSA expects it to be ready to host major parliamentary events in 2027, including the State of the Nation Address and the tabling of the national Budget.
Fire triggered massive reconstruction
The project follows the devastating January 2022 fire that gutted Parliament’s old and new National Assembly chambers.
Reconstruction teams have faced several challenges since work began.
These included heritage requirements, asbestos removal, stubborn bedrock and natural underground streams beneath the parliamentary precinct.
Security vetting requirements for construction workers also contributed to delays.
DBSA executive for infrastructure Chuene Ramphele said these issues added about four months to the project timeline.
However, he told Parliament that the major obstacles had now been overcome.
No cost overruns reported
Despite the delays, the DBSA says the reconstruction remains within its R4.6 billion budget.
Ramphele said the overall cost includes demolition work as well as the construction of new offices for MPs in another parliamentary building.
“At this point in time, we have no cost overruns,” he said.
About 52% of the project’s allocated budget has been spent so far.
The R4.6 billion price tag had previously been confirmed by Parliament as the cost of rebuilding and modernising the fire-damaged precinct.
Full completion expected in June 2027
The entire reconstruction project is scheduled for completion in June 2027.
While the full precinct will not be finished in 2026, progress on the new National Assembly chamber means Parliament expects to return to the rebuilt facility for key events next year.
The project will restore permanent parliamentary facilities more than five years after the devastating fire forced lawmakers to use alternative venues.
For now, the DBSA says construction remains on track despite earlier delays caused by environmental, heritage and security requirements.