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A world class travel destination
Often described as 'a world in one country', South Africa offers the visitor a breathtaking variety of scenery, from desert and lush forest, to soaring mountains and vast empty plains. Culturally as diverse as the landscape, many visitors are drawn to experience for themselves the miracle of the peaceful overthrow of apartheid. Others are attracted by the endless golden beaches, big game, diving or snorkelling, or bird watching. Visitors will find South Africa positively inviting, with world-class infrastructure, transport and accommodation.
A country of contrasts
Whilst boasting cosmopolitan and sophisticated cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town, the country also has a striking natural beauty. South Africa has some of the world's most breathtaking scenery, and features an amazing display of bird and wildlife species, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). The country is ranked as the third most biologically diverse in the world. There are numerous game reserves, parks and nature trails that offer a taste of Africa's natural appeal.
Due to the diversity of peoples and cultures in South Africa, the country offers a variety of cultural experiences. The history of the country also holds strong appeal for tourists, from the discovery of gold in Johannesburg to the Robben Island prison where icons of South Africa's political struggle against apartheid, such as Nelson Mandela, were detained. Tourism in South Africa is a thriving sector, with millions of tourists from around the world entering the country annually. The country boasts a wide selection of restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, shopping centres and other tourist facilities.
For tourist information on South Africa, refer to the following useful links:
About Midrand
Midrand is South Africa’s most rapidly developing city and Africa’s fastest developing investment centre. From its humble beginning as a halfway point between Gauteng’s two major cities (Johannesburg and Pretoria), it is now the dynamic centre of a metropolitan area, stretching from Centurion in the north, Sandton in the south, Kempton Park to the east and Kyalami to the west. By the year 2015 it is forecast that the population will reach 20 million, compared to the current population of 9 million.
Midrand proudly embraces a holistic development approach to minimizing social and economic inequality, where the public realm is the expression of commitment to the common good in society. Despite its commercial burgeoning, much of Midrand retains a country life-style. Large domestic properties and agricultural smallholdings, stables, bridle paths, dairy herds, vegetable gardens and orchards continue to lend a rural feel to the area.
All venues within the Gallagher Convention Centre have wheelchair access.
The Gallagher Convention Centre is central to a variety of quality hotels and smaller accommodation establishments. Some are within walking distance and others a short drive away. All hotels listed under the accommodation page are within 10 kilometres of the conference centre.
Standard business hours in South Africa are:
- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday
- Closed Sunday
Most shops that are not located in shopping malls keep these hours, as do most informal traders. However, shopping malls tend to keep longer hours generally from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Most banks close at 3.30 p.m., Monday - Friday and at 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Gauteng has a subtropical climate, meaning that it can be quite hot and humid.
Temperatures recordings for the month of March:
Highest recorded temperature: 35 °C
Average daily max temperature: 27 °C
Average daily min temperature: 16 °C
Most buildings are air-conditioned. Besides summer clothing, bring a light jacket should the air-conditioning be set too cold for your comfort.
Forecast
Weather forecasts can be found here.
Currency
With a favourable exchange rate for many international currencies, South Africa is a fairly inexpensive destination. South Africa's unit of currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
Foreign Exchange
Many local banks have foreign exchange services. You can also exchange money at the front desk of most hotels. For more information on the location and services of South Africa’s banks and foreign exchange services click here.
Credit/Debit/ATM Cards
Major credit and debit cards are accepted by shops, hotels, department stores, restaurants and supermarkets. VISA and MasterCard are the most accepted cards, and only a few shops accept American Express and Diner’s Club. Many Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) booths, located near the entrances of banks, at the majority of petrol stations and in all major shopping malls, offer 24-hour services.
High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere, treated to be free of harmful microorganisms and both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap.
| Flying Squad |
10111 (toll free) / +27 (0)11 248 1000 |
| Midrand Police |
+27 (0)11 347 1601/2/3 |
| Metro Emergency |
+27 0()11 375 5911 (Suspect vehicles, hawkers etc) |
| Crime Stop |
0860 010 111 |
| Fire and Ambulance Midrand |
+27 (0)11 847 4600 |
| Netcare Ambulance |
082 911 |
| Vodacom / MTN |
112 |
Incoming faxes, e-mails and telephone messages should be marked for the attention of:
Summit Organising Committee Office
| Tel: |
+27 (0)12 667 6933 |
| Fax: |
+27 (0)86 500 8130 |
| E-mail: |
info@ccsummit2009.co.za |
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| Please clearly mark the communication for the intended Summit delegate. |
If you need urgent medical assistance, please contact one of the conference staff immediately. The national emergency number is 10111.
Nearest Hospital:
Life Carstenhof Clinic
21 Dane Road
Glen Austin
Midrand
1685
Tel: +27 (0)11 655 5500
As South Africa is a developing country, crime does exist, so we would advise you to take a few basic precautions. All valuables, passports, cameras, should be locked in the safe of your hotel. Valuables should be carried discreetly when walking in cities.
If driving, do not pick up hitch-hikers and ensure that your car doors are locked at all times.
The South African Police are easily recognised in their blue uniforms and white & blue patrol vehicles.
If you wish to make a call abroad, you must first dial 00, which is South Africa's international access code. You then dial the country code, area code of the city or region and the number of the person you wish to call. e.g. if you make a call to the UK, London, telephone number 4567 1234 you must dial 00 44 20 4567 1234.
South Africa has a well-developed communications infrastructure, with extensive landline phone networks and four mobile phone service providers - Cell C, MTN, Vodacom and Virgin Mobile - with far-reaching coverage.
Landline services are operated by Telkom SA Ltd, with a second operator, Neotel, currently in the process of setting up shop. Telkom public telephones use coins, phonecards or Worldcall. Phonecards and Worldcall can be purchased at most retail stores, petrol stations, post offices and airports.
You can rent mobile phones - we call them cellphones - from the airport on arrival.
South Africa operates on Central African Time, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year.
English is the official language of the conference.
Major South African cities are linked by reliable air, rail and road transport services. Public transport services within towns and cities are irregular though. Taxis are extremely expensive and most South Africans therefore have to depend on their own means of transport.
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Generally the speed limits range from 60km/h in residential areas to a maximum of 120km/h on national highways. Pay attention to the signs in this regard.
Rental vehicles are available in all major South African centres.
The metric system is used in South Africa. Speed limits, highway markers, and speedometer information are given in kilometres.
| Distance/Length |
Volume |
Weight |
| Centimetre; Meter; Kilometre |
Litre |
Gram; Kilogram |
Disclaimer:
Local information pages are provided as a courtesy service to attendees of the 2009 Climate Change Summit. Every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and current, however no guarantees are expressed or implied. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Department of Science and Technology and their partners, or the Summit Organising Committee can not be held responsible for out-of-date or incorrect information. Attendees with specific questions should contact the appropriate South African authorities.
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