CAPE TOWN - Following the fire that destroyed much of the national assembly and adjoining offices, Parliament had to secure alternative venues to continue its sittings and constitutional responsibilities.
The reconstruction of parliament is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
This will come at an estimated cost of R4-billion.
Parliament was gutted by fire on 2 January 2022.
A temporary National Assembly structure has now been completed, where Parliamentary debates post the State of the Nation Address, the president’s response and the budget debate will be held until the National Assembly is completed.
IN PICS: Parliament restoration underway
The Nieuwmeester Dome was once used for former president Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
It has been refurbished and rebuilt in a parking lot opposite Parliament.
The facility has been handed over to Parliament by Public Works and declared compliant with the operational standards required for parliamentary sittings.
The cost? R30-million shared by Public Works and Parliament.
The dome has a lifespan of 10 years.
While SONA will take place at the Cape Town City Hall next week, eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports that the subsequent debates will take place in the refurbished dome.
Watch the video above.