The National Assembly will be demolished and replaced with a biophilic structure (mimicking nature) \u2013 in this case, resembling a protea, South Africa\u2019s national flower and symbol of parliament, as well as having a design conceptualised around ‘sitting under a yellowwood tree’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While R2 billion was initially projected to be the cost of the repairs and upgrades, this has been revised upwards slightly to R2.1 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The re-do will also encompass the replacement of ICT infrastructure and an overall modernisation of the facilities which will cost a further R943 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This brings the total up to R3 billion \u2013 with the additional budget for the ICT infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Timelines for the project have again been revised, with the final handover and completion moving from December 2025 to 20 April 2026. The final account and closeout is now expected in July 2026 (previously February 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demolition of the old parliament was previously expected to commence from April 2024 with construction starting in May – but this has also been pushed back, to July and August 2024, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the update, parliament has also launched a new website<\/strong><\/a> to track the process, as well as a WhatsApp chatbot where South Africans can “have their say” on the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parliament also presented a virtual tour of the build, along with other concept and design images which can be viewed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Have-your-say-Parliament-1024x576.jpg\")
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