DPWI, Parliament to split R25m cost to repair & furnish weather-damaged dome tent

Cape Town wind and storms have been battering the dome tent erected as a temporary parliamentary chamber, with a skin over the entrance area now completely ripped open and exposing the interior to the elements. 

The damage became evident several weeks ago when the roof skins first started lifting. 

The structure has been unused since the end of March, during which time the Department of Public Works and Parliament have been at loggerheads over the cost involved in buying fixtures to furnish the interior.

It’s now been decided they will split the R25 million cost to repair and furnish it.

Erected on a parking lot across the road from Parliament in January, the dome tent was meant to serve as a makeshift chamber until construction of the new parliamentary buildings is completed next year, after a fire razed the National Assembly chamber more than three years ago. 

It cost the Department of Public Works over R6 million to transport and erect the dome tent in Cape Town, which was purchased for Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013. 

But after being kitted out with rented furniture, lighting and sound equipment in January, it was used for a mere two months before it was emptied out and closed, while the department and Parliament wrestled over who would pay for more permanent fixtures and how much they were prepared to spend.

While in use, MPs often complained that the dome was unsuitable for parliamentary proceedings and even unsafe on windy days, with bad acoustics and poor temperature regulation affecting the business of the House.

Now after seven months of standing empty, the Department of Public Works is faced with repairing the weather damage, including a gaping strip in the front of the structure where the skin has torn off the steel frame.

Director-General Sifiso Mdakane said a contractor was appointed on Tuesday and the repairs would start promptly next week. 

"Among the immediate priorities will include repairing the existing damage to the dome, including the rips in the skins which will be prioritised for urgent attention as part of the first phase of work."

Mdakane said the R25 million price tag to acquire permanent movable infrastructure would be split equally with Parliament. 

"The department is committed to ensuring the dome becomes a fully functional, cost-effective asset for the state. Work is being undertaken with urgency to enable the resumption of parliamentary sittings in the dome as soon as possible."

While the refurbishment takes place, Parliament plans to continue with hybrid sittings in its Good Hope Chamber for the rest of the year, where Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is also expected to deliver the medium-term budget policy statement in two weeks’ time.

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