CPUT, Stellenbosch students to assist in Parliament reconstruction

The work programme is a partnership between the universities and Parliament’s rebuilding team. 

Reconstruction work on the fire-damaged buildings is set to be completed by November 2025,” Secretary to Parliament Xolile George told MPs on Friday.

The work, which is set to cost the taxpayer some R2 billion, will begin in earnest in February.

Project Manager Simon Mashigo told MPs on Friday that five colleges are ready to give them technicians to assist with the rebuilding process. 

Mashigo and his team briefed the Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament.   

“We are working on collaborative arrangements with CPUT and Stellenbosch University, and this will be about work-integrated learning for students and graduates, and the lecturers will also form part of the gate-way review panel.

“Further to that, when we get to the construction phase, we are working with TVET colleges. So far we are working with five colleges who are ready to give us technicians that will get onto the programme for artisanship.

“This is part of the strategy for collaborative arrangement and to be a parliament that is responsive. So for students from CPUT and Stellenbosch for this financial year, we are looking at 30 students that are going to benefit.”

Mashigo said the universities would provide them with material for the restoration of heritage artefacts. 

“In the next financial year, when we get into construction, we are going to work with the same universities and then look at graduates that are going to be assisted with professional registration.

“Some of the benefits that we are going to achieve are that all these laboratory arrangements will be support that we get from Stellenbosch University. CPUT also came to the party and said they would assist us with materials for the restoration of heritage artefacts.”

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