Important Delegate Information

Transcription

1 Important Delegate Information

2 Dear Participant, Thank you for registering and confirming your participation at the Second Africa Congress on Conservation Agriculture (2ACCA) scheduled from 9th to 12th October 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme Making Climate-Smart Agriculture Real in Africa with Conservation Agriculture. It is very important to take note of the following information which will assist you with planning and the logistics of your travel to South Africa: 1. Venue The meeting will be held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa 2. Conference Package The conference package shall include a conference pack, teas, lunch and access to all 2ACCA events as per the programme, including facilitation for the field day trip for all registered and paid participants..

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4 3. Visa and Immigration Requirements Requirements for entering South Africa You will need the following if you wish to visit South Africa: A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay Adequate blank pages in your passport for endorsements A valid visa, if required Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay A return or onward ticket Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. Note that there are certain goods that you cannot bring into South Africa and some other goods attract duties that need to be paid. For Customs requirements, click on the link below AllDocs/OpsDocs/Guides/Customs-G001%20-%20Travellers%20Guide%20 -%20External%20Guide.pdf For Agricultural requirements, click on the links below: Declared% pdf

5 VISA Application CAUTION: DO NOT SHOW UP WITHOUT A VISA IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE, AS VISAS WILL NOT BE ISSUED AT POINTS OF ENTRY. Please read the following information carefully and start the application process at least two months before your planned travel date: The application of an entry visa to South Africa is the responsibility of each participant (where VISA requirements apply). The Congress Secretariat will assist registered delegates in sending official electronic invitation letters and visa letters to embassies where it will be a requirement. Please let us know if you require the visa letters sent. Participants are expected to contact the South African Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in their respective countries of residence, for information on this subject. For more information on visa applications visit the South Africa Department of Home Affairs website at: For more information on visa exemptions, please use the link: If there is a South African embassy in your country You should apply directly for a visa at the South African Embassy. Kindly call the embassy to get information about requirements: passport, photos, cost, timing, etc. You will also need to present the official letter of invitation which will be sent to you, for the application process to be approved. Note that you may also be required to present a letter (from your own organization) indicating your travel purpose. For the list of Countries where a South African Embassy/Agent is available around the world please visit If there is no South African embassy in your country Participants in countries where the South African Diplomatic mission does not exist can apply for the visa in a neighbouring country where the mission exists and provides visa services specific to his/her country.

6 4. Health Requirements Visitors to South Africa should be in possession of a valid health certificate for Yellow Fever if travelling through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Further, it is highly recommended that all participants should arrange for their own Travel insurance covering and not limited to theft or loss of belongings and medical cover.

7 5. Hotel Accommodation and Recommended Arrangement Accommodation is available at the congress venue, Birchwood Hotel. Participants opting to stay at Birchwood hotel can make reservations as per below: Birchwood Hotel (Congress Venue) Telephone: Located in close proximity to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg Airport), and offering a free shuttle service to and from OR Tambo, Birchwood offers 665 hotel rooms varying in size, style and star-rating, as follows: a. 334 Birchwood rooms conveniently located in close proximity to the larger conference venues. b. 96 ValuStay rooms offer simplicity, comfort and excellent value for money for budget and group travellers. c. Silverbirch rooms set apart with access control in a tranquil part of the Birchwood grounds, far from the conference bustle.

8 Negotiated Rates for Birchwood Hotel Accommodation Birchwood room rates Single Sharing Room Only R 995 R 1095 Bed & Breakfast R 1200 R 1530 Dinner, Bed & Breakfast R 1400 R 1850 ValuStay room rates Room Only R 995 R 1095 Bed & Breakfast R 1200 R 1530 Dinner, Bed & Breakfast R 1400 R 1850 Silverbirch room rates Room Only R 995 R 1095 Bed & Breakfast R 1350 R 1515 Dinner, Bed & Breakfast R 1545 R Sponsored Delegates ACT Sponsored delegates All travel and accommodation arrangements for sponsored delegates will be made by the 2 nd African Congress on Conservation Agriculture Secretariat. Sponsored delegates can contact the congress helpdesk for assistance and information by ing helpdesk@act-africa.org. *More details will be provided in individual sponsorship letters. Non Sponsored delegates Non-sponsored delegates should make their own arrangements in terms of accommodation and travel. Non -sponsored delegates can also contact the congress helpdesk for information on helpdesk@act-africa.org.

9 7. Airport Transfers and Field Visit Transportation Kindly note the Congress Secretariat has made arrangements with Birchwood hotel for airport transfers for those residing at the congress venue. The hotel shuttle times are as follows: From Birchwood Hotel to O. R. Tambo International Airport 05h30 06h30 07h30 08h30 09h30 10h30 11h30 12h30 13h30 14h30 15h30 16h30 17h30 18h30 19h30 20h30 21h30 22h30 23h30 From O. R. Tambo International Airport to Birchwood Hotel 06h10 07h10 08h10 09h10 10h10 11h10 12h10 13h10 14h10 15h10 16h10 17h10 18h10 19h10 20h10 21h10 22h10 23h10 00h10 Please note that participants are free to make their own transport arrangements if residing outside the congress venue. For any additional support in scheduling of your airport transfers, kindly furnish us with information on your flight itinerary through Field visit transportation will be provided to all delegates based on their selected field visit sites. Please select your preferred field trip route by logging in to your profile at Use the log in credentials sent to your address at registration. In case of any needed assistance contact

10 8. Documentation All the necessary event documents will be provided in the congress pack at the registration desk. 9. Exchange Rate South African currency is denominated in South African Rands (ZAR) and cents (1 Rand = 100 cents,) and exists in both paper and coin forms. For the current rates visit Money Exchange: Almost all foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and airports & major hotels in South Africa, at the official exchange rates. Credit & Debit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in South Africa. Speak with your Credit or Debit Card Company for details of merchant acceptability in South Africa. ATMs are widely available. Travellers Cheques: International traveller s cheques in Sterling Pounds, Euro and US Dollars are widely accepted. 10. Weather/Climate Summer in Johannesburg is in the months of Mid-October to Mid-February. It is characterized by hot days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, with daily average highs of 23 C and lows of 11 C in October. Delegates are encouraged to carry appropriate attire for this weather. 11. Registration and Identification Badges Participants will be required to register online prior to the opening of the meeting. Registration at the congress venue will open at 8.30am on 8 th October 2018 whereby confirmed participants will be able to obtain identification badges and a conference package. Please bring your confirmation letter and proof of payment with you for easy registration. For identification and security reasons, identification badges should be worn by all participants at all times during the convention and at official social functions.

11 12. Language There are eleven official languages of South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. English is the dominant language used in government and the media. 13. Telecommunication The dialling country code for South Africa is +27. There are (5) mobile telephone service providers namely Vodacom, Virgin Mobile, Cell C, MTN and Telkom Mobile. Prepaid SIM cards are available in provider outlets, airports and almost all retail chain stores usually at R5 or less. Since 2009, all SIM cards need to be registered before activation by a RICA agent with registration usually done at the point of purchase. RICA stands for the SIM registration scheme and requires an ID card or passport and a proof of residence. 14. Security Johannesburg is a fairly safe city; however, as in all major cities care and caution should be taken. It is not recommended to walk on the streets after 7.00pm alone. It is advised not to carry valuables with you should you venture into the city especially after dark. Please ensure to leave your laptops/electronic equipment in safe custody all the time. 15. Power Outlets and Electrical Voltage Standard voltage in South Africa is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. The country uses a round 3-pin plug and the power sockets are of type D, M and N.

12 16. Post Congress Tours Participants interested in spouse or post congress tours within South Africa can receive support from the Organizers by submitting their names and areas of interest to 17. Contact Details The Congress Secretariat Help Desk may be contacted at the following address: Ms. Monica Buyu Office Telephone line: THANK YOU AND SEE YOU IN JOHANNESBURG!