Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis offers city facilities after parliament fire
He says he has contacted parliament’s speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to make their facilities available
03 January 2022 - 09:38
by Staff Writer
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Firemen survey the damage after a fire broke out at parliament in Cape Town on January 2 2022. REUTERS/MIKE HUTCHINGS
Cape Town city mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has offered the council chamber, Grand Parade and city hall for sittings of the national assembly and the upcoming state of the nation address (Sona).
Hill-Lewis said Sunday’s fire at parliament was a "national tragedy”.
“Cape Town is also the historic seat of parliament, and so we share in the sense of tragedy felt by so many at this time. While the full scale of the damage is being assessed, the city of Cape Town stands ready to do whatever it can to help.”
He said he had contacted speaker of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to make their facilities available.
The state of the nation address is scheduled to take place on February 10.
A national tragedy is a time for all of us to do our part to help. Cape Town will do what we can. I’ve been in touch with the Speaker to offer use of our Council Chamber so Parliament can continue to meet, and City Hall for the State of the Nation Addresshttps://t.co/m2X1vR94ho
“We want to see parliament continue its important work, and we will do what we can to help.”
Hill-Lewis said he was also grateful for the city’s firefighters who “responded so quickly and in such force this morning, for their brave efforts to save as much of parliament as possible”.
“They deservedly earned the praise of President Cyril Ramaphosa in his press conference earlier, and they no doubt have the thanks of the country too.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis offers city facilities after parliament fire
He says he has contacted parliament’s speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to make their facilities available
Cape Town city mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has offered the council chamber, Grand Parade and city hall for sittings of the national assembly and the upcoming state of the nation address (Sona).
Hill-Lewis said Sunday’s fire at parliament was a "national tragedy”.
“Cape Town is also the historic seat of parliament, and so we share in the sense of tragedy felt by so many at this time. While the full scale of the damage is being assessed, the city of Cape Town stands ready to do whatever it can to help.”
He said he had contacted speaker of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to make their facilities available.
The state of the nation address is scheduled to take place on February 10.
“We want to see parliament continue its important work, and we will do what we can to help.”
Hill-Lewis said he was also grateful for the city’s firefighters who “responded so quickly and in such force this morning, for their brave efforts to save as much of parliament as possible”.
“They deservedly earned the praise of President Cyril Ramaphosa in his press conference earlier, and they no doubt have the thanks of the country too.”
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