General Information

Climate and dress

 

April is autumn time in South Africa with the average daytime temperature in Cape Town 25 °C and an average of 13 hours sunshine per day.

 

Currency

 

The local currency in South Africa is the South African Rand, denoted by the symbol “R”. Traveller’s cheques in all major currencies are accepted by all banks, most hotels, restaurants and major shops in South Africa.  Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Visa and Master Card are widely accepted.  Delegates can also exchange foreign currency at the airport. Please check the Universal Currency Convertor for the exchange rate between the South African Rand and your currency.

 

Dietary requirements

 

Western food is normally served. Traditional dishes are also available. Delegates with special dietary requirements will be accommodated as far as possible. Kosher meals can be supplied at an additional cost for the delegate. Please indicate your preferences on the registration form.

 

Drinking water

 

Tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink and bottled water is freely available.  South Africa is a country with limited water resources, and everyone is encouraged to save water as much as possible.

 

Electricity

 

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 Volts AC.  Hotels are equipped to accept appliances fitted with a 16 Amp 3 point round pin plug.  Most bathrooms are equipped for electrical shavers with 5 Amp 2 pin plugs.  Delegates are advised to bring along their own adapter plugs.

 

Health requirements

 

South Africa has no national health scheme.  The patient must pay for medical treatment and hospitalisation.  It's advisable to purchase travel insurance which covers medical expenses during the period of your stay. Doctors are listed in all local telephone directories under “Medical” and dentists under “Dentist”.  People arriving in South Africa from a yellow fever zone must have a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate.  Immunisation against cholera and smallpox is not required. The South African sun is strong with a high ultraviolet rating, so screening products with sun protection factors of 15 and over is recommended.

 

The CTICC has a medical clinic and staff on site to assist with any medical emergencies.

 

Visitors to the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern Kwazulu-Natal areas (e.g. those that will visit the Kruger National Park), should take anti-malaria tablets before, during and after their stay. Please consult with your doctor in taking the necessary prophylactic.  Anti-malaria tablets are obtainable from local pharmacies without prescription. Cape Town falls within a malaria-free area.

 

Insurance

 

The registration fees do not provide insurance for participants against personal accidents, sickness, theft or property damage. This applies to all events during the conference period, and participants are advised to obtain their own insurance, including medical insurance, before travelling to South Africa. The Conference and its organisers will not be liable for loss, injury to person or property, however caused.

 

Internet Access 

 

Internet access should be available to delegates at their hotels.  For the duration of the conference, special internet stations will be available for the use of the delegates. Delegates with their own laptops may be able to access the internet via WiFi hotspots. Delegates using their mobile phones will be able to access the internet via GPRS or 3G.

 

Language

 

The official language of the conference will be English. No translation services will be available. Since English is one of the official languages of South Africa, it is widely spoken.  Some staff members of up-market hotels and shops speak languages such as German, French and Italian.

 

Passports and visa

 

Foreigners visiting South Africa require a passport. Delegates should check the South African regulations concerning visa requirements  for their country when making travel arrangements. 

 

For further information contact your local office of the diplomatic or consular representative of the South African Government. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets. Possession of a visa may not automatically guarantee admission to the country.

 

Please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs (www.home-affairs.gov.za) Website to get further information on Visa requirements (Documents – Migration Services – Visas). Please contact the Conference Secretariat for an invitation letter should you require one to support your visa application.  Please note that such an invitation letter can only be issued once full payment for the conference has been received.

 

People with disabilities

 

Participation by all interested individuals is encouraged and every effort will be made to meet the requirements of people with disabilities. For people with a disability, advance notification of their needs for services and accommodations will ensure that the appropriate arrangements are made. Please contact the Conference Secretariat in this regard.

 

Safety

 

Tourists should remember that the same security precautions should be taken when visiting South Africa than in any other country in the world.  It is advisable not to walk around in dark, lonely places at night and to be extremely careful of pickpockets; never to carry large amounts of money or jewellery; always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone when you leave home; be on the lookout for suspicious looking cars or people; when you are driving your car, make sure that all doors are locked. Try not to look too much like a tourist and move around in a group where possible. The venue has a well developed security system with the safety of its visitors a high priority.

 

Time difference

 

Throughout the year, Standard Time in South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and 7 hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time in the USA.

 

Transport

  

The local public transport system is not very well developed. The following possibilities exist:

 

Ø     Taxis: local taxis do not cruise; you have to call them from a rank – your hotel will be able to assist you with this. There are also several accredited Taxi operators at the Cape Town International Airport. You can expect to pay between R500 - R600 for a Taxi trip from the airport to the CTICC precinct.

Ø     Vehicle hire: all major international car hire companies are represented in South Africa. Recognised credit cards may be used for payment.  It is advised that you hire a car through your local travel agent, since there are special packages available for tourists from foreign countries that cannot be obtained if you rent within South Africa.

• Driving around: 

o  An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan areas with the smallest villages. It is advisable to invest in a good map, should you decide to travel by car.  These      are available from all bookshops and filling stations.

o  Speed limit: 120 km/h on freeways, 100 km/h on rural roads and 60 km/h in built up areas.

o  South Africa drives on the left side of the road.

o  Wearing of seat belts is compulsory.

o  Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence (with a limit of 0.05% alcohol per vol.), and traffic laws are strictly enforced.

o  Drivers should have a valid driver’s license: the license must be printed in English and contain a photograph of the owner, OR you need an International Driving Permit.

o  Most petrol (gas) filling stations stay open 24 hours per day.  Pump attendants will serve you.

o  Third Party Insurance premium is built into the price of petrol (gas).

 

VAT (Value Added Tax)

 

VAT, currently at 14% is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services.  Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they take out of South Africa.  Information leaflets on the procedure to follow are available from VAT Refund Administration offices at the international airports in Cape Town and Johannesburg.