Completion date for Nieuwmeester Dome uncertain ahead of State of the Nation Address

Construction progress on the Nieuwmeester Dome in Cape Town, set to accommodate the State of the Nation Address replies, faces delays due to technical issues. A date for the completion of the Nieuwmeester Dome which is expected to be utilised for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) replies, has yet to be provided, citing technical delays, with the ceremonial parades continuing at the City Hall. The project costs about R30 million and is a joint financial and operational undertaking between the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure and Parliament.

On Monday, the office of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean MacPherson, confirmed that the Dome was set to be completed in order to accommodate the SONA replies but could not confirm its completion date. Just days ago, MacPherson announced that the handover of the refurbished Dome’s structure was set to take place on January 30 to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for use during parliamentary sittings while the National Assembly building was being rebuilt following the fire in 2022. The Department of Public Works & Infrastructure refurbished the Dome, previously used for the funeral of President Nelson Mandela, at the request of the National Assembly.

The Department said the refurbishment ensures the structure can withstand Cape Town’s adverse weather conditions while also providing improved soundproofing during parliamentary sittings. A day later, MacPherson announced that due to technical safety requirements, the scheduled handover would be postponed and a new date would be communicated. James de Villiers, spokesperson for MacPherson, told Cape Argus that the Dome would be ready for SONA replies.

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“The Dome was never intended to be used for SONA, but for the SONA replies,” he said. “The venue for SONA was chosen by the Speaker long ago, and it was decided to be the City Hall to allow for the ceremonial parades. “The Dome will still be ready for the SONA replies scheduled for the week thereafter. “Yes, it will be ready for SONA replies as it was always intended to be.

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