This follows as the landmark, which is a national heritage site, is currently entering the second phase of the restoration process after it was torched in June 2017 during a protest by municipal workers.

It is expected that Mlamleli will, amongst other matters, discuss the timeline of the project going forward as well as whether the contract is still on schedule in line with the project plan.

OFM News' Pulane Choane reports that in June last year, Mlamleli and the appointed architect, Anton Roodt of Roodt Architects, said the restoration process would be completed by October 2019 but it seems this deadline has once again shifted. In communication that was sent out yesterday, it was stated that the hall’s restoration would be completed and handed over to the city later in December this year, which differs somewhat from the date which was given last year when Mlamleli announced that this process would begin.

Addressing journalists last year, Mlamleli told members of the media that the date would only be moved to December, should there be delays in the project, which one can assume there were, seeing that the date has been moved forward. It remains to be seen later at the walkabout what work still needs to be done on the building, which was built in 1935, as well as whether or not the municipality would have completed restoring it in December later this year.

OFM News