Are you ready?
Check out this important information to get ready for this year’s conference in Capetown, South Africa:
INSURANCE
The congress organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to congress participants (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the congress. Please check the validity of your own insurance.
RESTAURANTS
The following restaurants offer a 15% discount off your bill provided delegates produce some sort of identification (conference name tag) that they are part of the conference:
City Grill Steakhouse
www.citygrill.co.za
Greek Fisherman
www.greekfisherman.co.za
Meloncino
www.meloncino.co.za
The following restaurants offer a 10% discount off your bill provided delegates produce some sort of identification (conference name tag) that they are part of the conference:
Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar
www.belthazar.co.za
Gibson’s Gourmet Burger and Ribs
www.gibsonsburgers.co.za
Amherst Plumbibg
https://www.amherstnyplumbing.com/
Plumbing Cheektowaga, NY
https://www.cheektowaga-plumbers.com/services.html
MORE USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION:
WEATHER IN SA
Please click on the link for a current weather report http://www.weathersa.co.za/web and choose the city you would like a report on.
Cape Town Climate in June:
Although Cape Town winters have a reputation for rain and wind, they often produce perfect days or even weeks. Some climatic change seems to have reduced winter rainfall, and when its not raining, winter becomes a perfect green season, when temperatures can reach a summery 26C (80F) or higher. Capetonians watching the World Cricket Cup being played in England in June regularly enjoyed temperatures and weather much more suitable for cricket here than they were there. This time is known in Cape Town as the “Secret Season” – because of all the secret pleasures to be experienced!
TAX
14% Value Added Tax is included in all costs. Visitors can claim back this Tax for purchases in excess of R250.00 at central points in major centres and International Airports.
VACCINATIONS
South Africa’s yellow fever vaccination requirements policy has been reviewed. As of 1 October 2011, South Africa requires all travellers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate.
Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea‐Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia.
CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards are accepted : Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners Club.
SERVICE CHARGES
It is customary to add 10% Service Fee to all Food and Beverage charges. The following service providers expect a tip: Luggage porters, taxi drivers, tour guides, coach drivers, restaurant waiters and waitresses, and car guards.
TIME ZONE
GMT + 02:00
CURRENCY
South African Rand (ZAR)
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Cape Town | Johannesburg | Durban | Nelspruit |
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
If you’re in your hotel room, contact the emergency number provided or the front desk. If you’re out and about, dial 10111 from a landline for the police or 112 from a local mobile phone for emergency assistance.
ELECTRICITY
- The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ.
- Most plugs are 15 amp 3‐prong or 5 amp 2‐prong, with round pins. Adapters are available locally.
- US‐made appliances may need a transformer.
Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances
TELEPHONE CALLS
Telecommunications in South Africa also includes a well‐established mobile (cellular) phone network. Four mobile service providers ‐ Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and 8ta ‐ ensure countrywide coverage and reception is generally good in urban areas. Mobile phones can be hired at all international airports and prepaid airtime can be purchased at most retail outlets.
Useful information on dialing codes:
- For outgoing international calls, dial 00 plus the country and area codes of the destination concerned. Refer to telephone directories for international dialing codes, or obtain 24‐hour assistance by calling 10903.
- For incoming international calls, the code is +27 followed by the city code or cellphone code, dropping the first 0.
- Important local city dialing codes: 011 ‐ Johannesburg; 012 ‐ Pretoria; 021 ‐ Cape Town; 031 ‐ Durban; 041 ‐ Port Elizabeth
South Africa’s mobile phone operators utilize the GSM system. If your phone is GSM compatible, set up international roaming with your service provider before you leave home.
DRINKING WATER
Drinking water in South Africa is safe to drink when taken from taps in urban areas. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry maintains that South Africa’s national standard of water quality compares well with World Health Organisation standards.
SECURITY
Safety precautions in South Africa are more common sense than hard and fast measures.
Important South African safety advice includes avoiding deserted areas at night; securing valuables such as photographic equipment and wallets on your person; and leaving expensive, flashy jewellery in your hotel safe while out and about.
- Being vigilant of your luggage and other belongings (never leave them unattended).
- Storing valuables in your hotel safe.
- Limit the amount of money you carry on your person. Also, don’t accept offers of assistance at ATMs and keep your pin numbers secure.
- When using a credit card in restaurants, ask the waiter to bring a portable credit card machine to your table. Report stolen or lost cards immediately.