Clothing & Dress Code
Dress code during the conference is business attire and casual on the excursion days.  If you intend spending a lot of time outdoors, bring a hat and windbreaker for protection against the wind and rain. In the winter, lightweight warm cotton clothing is advised because daytime temperatures generally average around 15 -18 degrees Celsius.

Electricity
South Africa’s electricity supply is 220/230 volts, AC 50Hz. US or UK appliances may require a transformer in order to operate in South Africa.

FINANCE & BANKING
The South African unit of currency is the Rand (R), which is divided into 100 cents.
The coin denominations are; 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5. The notes are R10.00, R 20.00, R 50.00, R 100.00 and R 200.00.

Banking Services
South Africa’s banking system is extensive, efficient and easily accessible. Banks offer a wide range of services, including cash withdrawals, foreign exchange, electronic transfers (wiring), cashing of traveller’s cheques and PIN withdrawals. If your card belongs to the worldwide Cirrus network, you should have no problem using your card.

There are a number of branches of the major banks, and Automatic Teller Machines (ATM’s). ATM’s can be found in shopping centres, at some petrol stations, and in the centre of most cities and towns. Some rural towns do not have ATM's so please keep cash at hand when travelling to the smaller towns and villages in the Cape. If you need to go into the bank, withdrawals can be done over the counter using your passport. Many banks provide foreign exchange facilities. International electronic transfers are also available at most banks – enabling you to send or receive money from overseas. Banks provide guidance, support and assistance with any banking questions you may have and provide convenient and secure Internet banking services.

Hours of Business
Banking hours vary, but are generally from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays. On Saturdays banks open at 09h00 and close at 11h00. Banks are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Some smaller branches have limited operating hours – if travelling to small villages or rural areas, check with the local banks to be sure of their operating hours. The majority of the province’s hundreds of ATM’s offer 24-hour facilities.

Traveller's Cheques and Foreign Exchange
You will find foreign exchange facilities at Cape Town International Airport. Cape Town and bigger towns have a variety of foreign exchange options to choose from. Rennies Travel is the agent for Thomas Cook and will also change other cheques. American Express has foreign exchange branches in Cape Town and other major towns. Most banks also do foreign exchange transactions. Generally, banks offer the most competitive rates. Many hotels and backpacker’s hostels also offer foreign exchange services. Most hotels offer foreign exchange services, but at a higher commission rate. We would advise you to do your foreign exchange transactions at a bank or agent such as Rennies at O. R. Tambo Airport International Airport (Johannesburg International) or Cape Town International Airport, depending on which international arrivals hall you travel through.

Credit Cards
Credit cards, especially Visa and Master Card are widely accepted. Nedbank is the official agent for Visa and Standard Bank for Master Card. American Express and Diners Club are also accepted. Not all services have credit card facilities and credit cards cannot be used to pay for petrol (fuel). It is recommended that you keep some cash for these outlets and petrol stations.

(Value Added Tax) VAT Refund
South Africa has adopted a Value Added Tax system of 14% on purchases and services. If you are a foreign visitor to the country, you can reclaim your VAT on purchases over R 250,00 that are taken out of the country unused. There are a number of VAT refund offices. You may find it convenient to use Airport offices or the VAT Refund kiosk at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or at Cape Town Tourism in Burg Street, Cape Town. Give yourself enough time to do this – you’ll need your original tax invoice, passport, and will need to fill in a form and have the goods you bought available for inspection. For more information see www.taxrefunds.co.za

Tipping and Bargaining
Tipping is an accepted practice in the South Africa. Tipping in bars and restaurants is normally between 10% and 15%. Tipping taxi drivers and petrol attendants is also a common practice. “Car guards” normally get a few Rand for their services. Bargaining is not a South African habit but it is worth asking about special deals and any discounts that may apply.

EMERGENCY & MEDICAL SERVICES
Medical services are of a very high standard in Cape Town and the surrounding areas. In the event of an emergency, use one of the major private clinics. You may contact the police on 10111 for directions to the nearest hospital. You may also contact the ambulance services on 10177. Many doctors do house calls and are listed under Medical in the telephone directory.

The CTICC offers a Medi-Clinic in the basement of the centre to attend to relatively minor medical matters.  A doctor is available at the Clock Tower at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Health Tips
Cape Town and the Western Cape have very few health issues to be concerned about. No inoculations are needed and the health infrastructure is of a good standard. South Africa is facing a crisis with HIV/AIDS and visitors are advised to take precautions.

Cape Town and the Western Cape are malaria-free, and no vaccinations are required for cholera or smallpox. If you are on chronic medication, please keep a prescription or part of the packaging showing the generic name. If you wear spectacles, ensure you have a copy of your lens prescriptions. You can have spectacles replaced by any optician. Opticians offer great service at value for money prices.

Malaria
Malaria occurs in limited areas in South Africa, mainly in the low altitude (below 1000m) areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North Eastern KwaZulu Natal.
Limited focal transmission may occasionally occur in the North West and Northern Cape provinces along the Molopo and Orange rivers. The Western Cape is not a malaria region.
Malaria is distinctly seasonal in South Africa, with the highest risk being during the wet summer months (October to May).
For more information on malaria in South Africa, see the following websites:
http://www.doh.gov.za/docs/factsheets/guidelines/malaria/prevention.pdf
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationSouthAfrica.aspx

Time Differences
Throughout the year, Standard Time in South Africa is two hours ahead of GMT, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, USA.

TRAVELLING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Disabled travellers
The South African government has introduced legislation on facilities for special needs travellers, and progress is being made, but special needs facilities are still lacking in many places. Many game reserves and places of interest have specially adapted accommodation and wheelchair-friendly facilities and walks. Some short trails also have Braille interpretation plaques. .

Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town International Airport's policy is to ensure that all new buildings and developments provide for the physically challenged. All existing facilities are being upgraded to offer physically challenged passengers and visitors a user-friendly environment.

Parking spots
If you are planning to attend the conference by car, please rest assured that there is safe undercover parking available at the conference location. There is a fee involved, which you will be advised about at the conference venue.