Houses Of Parliament, Cape Town

The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town serve as the seat of South Africa's national legislature. As the country's legislative capital, Cape Town hosts this historically significant complex consisting of three main sections: the original 1884 building housing the National Council of Provinces (originally the Senate), the 1920s extension containing committee rooms and offices, and the 1980s expansion accommodating the National Assembly.

The building has been designated a National Heritage Site by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), receiving Grade 1 heritage status, the highest level of recognition.

The complex suffered severe damage in a devastating fire on 2 January 2022, with restoration efforts ongoing as of 2024.

History

Early meeting places

The establishment of a parliament in the Cape Colony was approved by Queen Victoria in 1853. Initially, sessions were held at the Tuynhuys, the governor's residence, before moving to the Goede Hoop Masonic Lodge, a building used by the South African Freemasons. (Their Lodge was called de Goede Hoop). The upper house met in the Old Supreme Court Building, previously a slave lodge under Dutch rule.

Design and construction

By the late 19th century, there was growing pressure to construct a more prestigious and purpose-built parliamentary building. However, Prime Minister John Charles Molteno initially opposed the plan, citing financial concerns. Despite this, a committee was formed to oversee the selection of a design. Architect Charles Freeman was chosen, and construction commenced on 12 May 1875, with Governor Henry Barkly laying the foundation stone.

Freeman's design, while ambitious, contained several structural flaws. Poor soil conditions and groundwater issues caused unexpected complications, and costs quickly escalated beyond the original budget. Freeman was dismissed in 1876, and Henry Greaves was appointed to complete the project. Greaves simplified the design, removing extravagant elements such as a central dome, statues, and ornamental fountains to reduce costs.

Further setbacks occurred due to political instability. The British overthrow of the Cape government in 1878, the Confederation Wars, and the bankruptcy of the construction company in 1883 delayed progress. Despite these challenges, the building was completed in 1884. The official opening ceremony was led by Cape Prime Minister Thomas Scanlen and Governor Henry Robinson.

Later additions

In the 1920s, the South African government commissioned Sir Herbert Baker, a leading architect of the era, to design an extension to accommodate a growing legislature. This expansion included a new chamber for the House of Assembly, while the old assembly hall was converted into the Parliamentary Dining Room, managed by South African Railways & Harbours.

Another major expansion occurred in the 1980s to accommodate South Africa’s tricameral parliamentary system, which introduced separate chambers for White, Coloured, and Indian representatives under the 1983 constitution. Following democratic elections in 1994, these structures were repurposed for the new National Assembly and NCOP.

Chambers of Parliament

The original House of Assembly (1910–1994) first occupied the 1884 building before moving to the 1920s extension. During apartheid, this chamber exclusively seated White MPs, while the 1980s expansion housed the racially segregated Houses of Representatives and Delegates. Post-1994, the old chamber (House of Assembly) is used as a committee room.

The current National Assembly Chamber (1994–present), located in the 1980s wing, serves as the primary legislative chamber. The chamber was significantly damaged during the 2022 fire, leading to temporary relocation of parliamentary sessions.

The Senate Chamber (1910–1981, 1994–1997) functioned as the upper house before being replaced by the NCOP in 1997. Today, the NCOP Chamber is housed in the original 1884 building.
File:South Africa assembly QE1 20.jpg, House of Assembly Chamber (until 1927), situated in the original 1884 building
File:House of assembly, cape town.jpg, House of Assembly (1927 - 1994)
File:National Assembly of South Africa 1.jpg, National Assembly Chamber
File:National Council of Provinces of South Africa.jpg, NCOP Chamber

2022 fire

During the morning of 2 January 2022, a fire broke out in third-floor offices in the parliamentary precinct and spread to the lower and upper houses. By mid-morning, fire crews were still attempting to control the fire. The buildings were severely damaged. It was reported that the sprinkler system had not functioned correctly, and protection services staff were not on duty.

Police confirmed that a 49-year-old man had been detained for questioning. He was subsequently arrested by the Hawks Priority Crime unit. He has reportedly been charged with arson, housebreaking and theft under the National Key Points Act, and appeared in court on 4 January. Identified by the ''New York Times'' as Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, the suspect's sanity was questioned by prosecutors. The ''Times'' goes on to report, Mr. Mafe was "committed to a psychiatric hospital on Tuesday to determine whether he is fit to stand trial on terrorism and other charges."

See also

*Union Buildings
*Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa

References

External links

*

{{Cape Town

Parliament of South Africa
Buildings and structures in Cape Town
Seats of national legislatures
Neoclassical architecture in South Africa