There has been a new proposal to rebuild Parliament on Robben Island, a suggestion that is reportedly receiving serious consideration from the government.

The proposal was made by a lobby group, the Cape Relocation Alliance for Parliament, which said that the current burnt-out parliamentary precinct should be used for low-cost housing.

Speaking on 1 April, Payola Oldsfir, a spokesperson for the Relocation Alliance, said that Robben Island had been identified as a potential site for a new parliament building. She said that there was already extensive existing infrastructure on the island and there were still several MPs who had served time on Robben Island in the Struggle, meaning they would feel at home.

In addition, Cape Town also has a housing crisis, and the parliamentary precinct was situated on prime commercial and residential land in the city which could be repurposed for low-cost housing, Oldsfir said.

“We will also ensure that there are regular ferry services between Cape Town and Robben Island, which will be under the management of the same person who managed the parliamentary precinct’s fire control measures in the past. We believe strongly in second chances and if there is a breakdown in ferry services, which leaves parliamentarians stranded on Robben Island indefinitely, we are sure it’s a price the people of Cape Town, in particular, and of South Africa, in general, are more than willing to pay,” Oldsfir said.