{"id":297789,"date":"2026-02-12T16:32:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?p=297789"},"modified":"2026-02-12T16:35:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:35:02","slug":"national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/","title":{"rendered":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Joint Standing Committee on the financial management of Parliament will tomorrow (Friday) carry out a site inspection of the newly completed Nieuwmeester Dome to evaluate its readiness to host parliamentary sittings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After years of disruption caused by the 2022 fire parliamentary debates will now be held in the newly refurbished Dome at the Parliamentary Precinct, upgraded at a cost of approximately R30 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was officially handed over by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson on Friday 6 February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, accepted the Dome at the handover ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macpherson said he was proud of the work done by engineers to reinforce the Dome, which was first used for the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The timing of the handover is significant, as the Dome is set to host several key events this month, including National Assembly sittings, the debate on the State of the Nation Address, the president\u2019s reply to the debate and the National Budget Speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fire of January 2022 caused severe damage<\/a> to the Parliamentary Precinct and disrupted the normal functioning of Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, Parliament<\/a> has had to secure alternative venues in order to continue its sittings, oversight responsibilities, and the work that keeps South Africa\u2019s constitutional democracy alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Parliament\"
National Assembly was gutted in a fire in 2022. PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Nieuwmeester Dome, located at the corner of Roeland and Plein streets, has now been repurposed for an equally important national task, providing a temporary stable and secure venue for parliamentary sittings while the permanent home of the National Assembly is restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The refurbishment focused on strengthening the structure\u2019s resilience and improving its overall durability so that it can function reliably through different seasons. Attention was also given to creating an environment where debate can take place clearly, where proceedings can be heard without disruption, and where members and staff can work effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sound quality formed a key part of the upgrade. Improved soundproofing and acoustic performance were introduced to ensure the integrity of parliamentary proceedings and the public record. The Dome was also required to comply with the operational standards necessary for parliamentary sittings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen Parliament is not sitting this facility has the potential to be used as an events and conferencing venue in a controlled manner,\u201d said Macpherson, “aligned with security and operational requirements, and through a proper process that protects the integrity of the site while generating additional income.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following approval in September 2024 the Dome was installed as a state-owned, reusable facility designed to host National Assembly sittings, joint sittings and other high-level national events during the reconstruction period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Parliament
National Assembly to debate SONA and budget in newly refurbished Parliament Dome. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe project reflects a collaborative partnership between Parliament and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to deliver a functional, secure and fit-for-purpose parliamentary facility, capable of supporting Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people of South Africa,\u201d Didiza pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added the handover allows Parliament to move ahead with the final phase of technical readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis includes the installation and commissioning of audio-visual and broadcasting infrastructure, ICT systems and official parliamentary branding to ensure the Dome is fully operational for sittings of the National Assembly and other parliamentary business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dome will serve as a secure, fit-for-purpose and dignified temporary home for the National Assembly at a time when Parliament must continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities without interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiring external venues for parliamentary sittings is projected to cost an estimated R48 million per year, with no residual value, while the Dome represents a once-off investment and remains a reusable national asset for future parliamentary and state use.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Parliamentary debates will now be held in the newly refurbished Dome at the Parliamentary Precinct, upgraded at a cost of approximately R30 million.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":297791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"1","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[7904],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-297789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-local-stories"],"yoast_head":"\nNational Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome | People's Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Parliamentary debates will now be held in the newly refurbished Dome at the Parliamentary Precinct, upgraded at a cost of approximately R30 million.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"People's Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"678\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"People's Post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"People's Post\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0\"},\"headline\":\"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":620,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ZkbDome.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Local Stories\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/\",\"name\":\"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome | People's Post\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ZkbDome.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ZkbDome.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/ZkbDome.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":678,\"caption\":\"Refurbished Nieuwmeester Dome becomes temporary home of National Assembly. Photo: Supplied\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Peoples Post\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Peoples Post\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/thepeoplespost\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/peoplespostnewspaper\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@peoplespostnewsCPT\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0\",\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"People's Post\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/author\\\/peoplespost\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome | People's Post","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome","og_description":"Parliamentary debates will now be held in the newly refurbished Dome at the Parliamentary Precinct, upgraded at a cost of approximately R30 million.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/","og_site_name":"People's Post","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","article_published_time":"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":678,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"People's Post","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_site":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"People's Post","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/"},"author":{"name":"People's Post","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0"},"headline":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome","datePublished":"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/"},"wordCount":620,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","keywords":["Local Stories"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/","name":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome | People's Post","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-12T14:32:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-12T14:35:02+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","width":1600,"height":678,"caption":"Refurbished Nieuwmeester Dome becomes temporary home of National Assembly. Photo: Supplied"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-returns-to-upgraded-parliament-dome\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"National Assembly returns to upgraded Parliament Dome"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","name":"People's Post","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization","name":"Peoples Post","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Peoples Post"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","https:\/\/x.com\/thepeoplespost","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/peoplespostnewspaper\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@peoplespostnewsCPT"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0","name":"People's Post","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"People's Post"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/author\/peoplespost\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ZkbDome.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45247,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/watch-national-assembly-fire-restoration-progress-20240807\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":0},"title":"WATCH | National Assembly fire restoration progress","author":"People's Post","date":"7 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Two years since the National Assembly was gutted in a fire, Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, says he will be requesting bi-weekly updates on the progress made to restore the institution.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Parliament","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45341,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/national-assembly-fire-minister-macpherson-pushes-for-swift-restoration-with-bi-weekly-progress-reports-20240730\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":1},"title":"National Assembly fire: Minister Macpherson pushes for swift restoration with bi-weekly progress reports","author":"People's Post","date":"3 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson will request bi-weekly updates on the National Assembly's restoration progress, aiming for completion by May 2026.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Parliament","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/c8260db8bfe24151915935f6732f72d9.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68573,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/vat-not-under-our-watch-says-da-eff\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":2},"title":"VAT: \u2018Not under our watch\u2019 \u2013 says DA, EFF","author":"Paarl Post","date":"23 April 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Western Cape High Court is expected to deliver judgement by no later than 29 April following an urgent application by the DA and EFF to have the 0,5% VAT increase, that is set to take effect on 1 May, declared unlawful. The parties' respective applications were heard on Tuesday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The DA's federal chairperson Dr Ivan Meyer addresses the media outside the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, 22 April. Photo: Our_DA\/x","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GpIxejjW4AAoMkL.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45982,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/western-cape-prepares-for-new-leadership-as-sixth-provincial-parliament-dissolves-20240604\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":3},"title":"Western Cape prepares for new leadership as sixth provincial parliament dissolves","author":"People's Post","date":"4 June 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"With the dissolution of the sixth provincial parliament at midnight on Tuesday 28 May, the Western Cape will see its new leadership sworn in to the provincial legislature within the next 14 days.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/4f1ac1ea9ca341bdb8ea803a6bd8557f.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44858,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/eviction-order-issued-for-homeless-group-occupying-land-outside-castle-of-good-hope-20240924\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":4},"title":"Eviction order issued for homeless group occupying land outside Castle of Good Hope","author":"People's Post","date":"24 September 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A group of people illegally occupying the space outside the Castle of Good Hope has less than three weeks to find alternative accommodation.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/53fcde0e4b7548599a14d16b35675752.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46362,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/park-has-a-new-dome-20240422\/","url_meta":{"origin":297789,"position":5},"title":"Green Point’s historic three-dimensional timber dome nears completion","author":"People's Post","date":"24 April 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The country\u2019s first mass timber dome and the world\u2019s first three-dimensional mass timber dome currently being erected in Green Point Urban Park is nearing completion.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7c9049d343ef4ae99de936c6a2d7594e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7c9049d343ef4ae99de936c6a2d7594e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7c9049d343ef4ae99de936c6a2d7594e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7c9049d343ef4ae99de936c6a2d7594e.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/7c9049d343ef4ae99de936c6a2d7594e.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"People's Post","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=297789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/297791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=297789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=297789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=297789"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=297789"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=297789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}