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 Conference Headquarters
Entry Formalities
Immunisation and Health
Arrival in South Africa
Local Transport
Climate
Banking and Shopping Hours
Currency and Taxes
Credit Cards
Tipping / Service Charges
Telecommunications
Hiring a Car
Electricity
Access for the Disabled
Babysitting
Badges
Safety and Security
Conference Headquarters
International Convention Centre Durban (ICC)
45 Ordnance Road
Durban South Africa
Tel +27 (31) 360 1000
Fax +27 (31) 360 1050
Website: www.icc.co.za
Located in the heart of Durban, since its opening in August 1997 the ICC Durban has successfully hosted events such as
the XII Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Economic Forum, the Commonwealth Heads of Government, and the International Aids Conference.
Entry Formalities
Passports must be valid for six months after the intended date of return from South Africa and delegates must have a return ticket.
It is recommended that you apply with your local South African diplomatic or consular representative abroad at least six weeks prior to the Conference. If there is no South African representation in your country, contact Congress International for further information. All enquiries must be via e-mail at ci@dbn.lia.net.
Delegates who intend travelling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back to South Africa are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.
Immunisation for yellow fever is an entry requirement if the journey starts or entails passing through a yellow fever zone. See Vaccinations for more details.
Delegates arriving without visas will not be permitted to enter South Africa.
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Immunisation and Health
Insurance and Medical
While South Africa boasts excellent medical facilities, delegates should ensure they take out insurance to cover the cost of treatment should the need arise. Most hotels have a list of doctors, whose names may also be found in the 'medical' section of telephone directories.
Vaccinations
No vaccination certificates are required from visitors coming from Europe. However, visitors from or travelling via a yellow fever zone must have a valid certificate.
The following countries fall within the yellow fever zone: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ghana, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Venezuela.
Malaria
Delegates travelling to the eastern lowveld of Mpumalanga and Northern Province, the Kruger National Park and the game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal should take a course of anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones. Consult your doctor for appropriate medication and advice.
Travel Clinic at the ICC Durban
The Travel Clinic is located in the basement level of the ICC and operates Monday to Friday 0800 - 1630 and Saturday 0800 - 1200.top
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Arrival in South Africa
Delegates will arrive either at Johannesburg International Airport or Cape Town International Airport and take a domestic flight to Durban International Airport. There are two direct international flights to Durban, Singapore Airlines and Air Mauritius. The flying time from Johannesburg to Durban is one hour and ten minutes, and from Cape Town to Durban, two hours. Durban International Airport is 16 kilometres from the Durban hotels; registered delegates and guests will be transferred in air-conditioned buses from the airport to the Conference hotels. This transfer service will operate on Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October and is free of charge. Delegates are reminded to supply the relevant arrival and departure information via the Reservation Form. Buses will be clearly marked 'IBA'.
Local Transport
There is no local bus service to and from the ICC. Delegates will be transferred from the Conference hotels in the official IBA buses to the ICC each morning with a lunchtime transfer service, and return from the ICC after the last session. This service will operate from Monday 21 - Friday 25 October.
Transport will be available in order to register at the ICC Durban on Saturday 19 October in the afternoon and also all day on Sunday 20 October. Full details of the transport arrangements and times will be available on check-in at your hotel.
The official IBA buses will transport you to and from the following social events:Opening Ceremony and Welcome Party, Sunday 20 October, Closing Party, Friday 25 October.
Taxis can be obtained from the airport, hotel reception or at the ICC. Ensure you use accredited IBA taxis and insist that the meter is switched on at the beginning of the journey.
For your safety during the week, we would strongly recommend that all delegates use the transport provided.
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Climate
South Africa's seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere, with midwinter in June and July and midsummer in December and January.
Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast enjoy a sub-tropical climate. October climate is between 63-77ºF (17-25ºC) There may be a risk of showers so an umbrella is recommended. Please bring a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings. Delegates who will be taking part in the Pre- and Post-Conference tours are reminded to note clothing recommendations in the tour's section.
Banking and Shopping Hours
Most commercial banks are open from 0900 to 1530, Mondays to Fridays; from 0830 to 1100 on Saturdays. Shops open from 0800 to 1630 Mondays to Fridays, from 0830 to 1230 on Saturdays, and most shops within the larger shopping complexes are open Sundays 1000 to 1700.
Currency and Taxes
South African currency works on the decimal system with one Rand equalling 100 cents. The international symbol is ZAR. Foreign currency can be exchanged at most hotels and at the ICC. Delegates can have their sales tax paid (known as Value Added Tax, VAT) refunded at a port of exit, provided the value of the items purchased exceeds R250. Proof of payment must be obtained for all items purchased to claim any refunds. The VAT rate is 14 per cent and is levied on most products.
Credit Cards
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Bank of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card Visa and their affiliates are accepted. However, use may be restricted if you are visiting small towns and country areas and in some retail shops. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are situated outside most banks in towns and cities and operate 24 hours a day. Credit cards are not generally accepted for the purchase of petrol.
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Tipping / Service Charges
Waiters and taxi-drivers should receive
ten per cent of the bill value, unless a service charge is levied. Two Rand per
bag is recommended for porters.
Telecommunications
Telephone codes
The international code for South Africa is 27, which should be preceded by your international prefix. When dialling from outside South Africa the '0' at the front of the local area code should be omitted, but it should be used when dialling within the country.
Telephones
All hotels have direct international dialling from the telephone in your room or you can be connected via the switchboard. Public phones are either coin or card operated. Only green public telephones use telephone cards and the cards come in amounts ranging from R10 to R200.
Mobile Phones
South Africa uses the 900 MHz frequency (digital). Please note that phones from countries which operate on an analogue system will not work in South Africa. Mobile phones can be rented through various outlets and at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban International airports.
Vodaphone Rental Fone will have mobile phones for rent; pre-paid GSM SIM cards will also be available for purchase. Both of these services will be available through the business centre at te ICC.
Telephone costs and data line information
Website: www.telkom.co.za
Visit the TELKOM website for costs of calls, information on data lines and other relevant information which will assist you. Examples of international tariffs are R3.41 per minute to the United Kingdom, R3.64 per minute to the USA and R4.21 per minute to Austria.
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Hiring a Car
Booking by telephone or online:
Avis Rent-A-Car, Tel: +27 (11) 923 3688
Website: www.avis.co.za
Budget Rent A Car, Tel: +27 (11) 392 3929
Website: www.reservations@budget.co.za
Hertz Rent A Car, Tel: +27 (21) 400 9650
Website: www.hertz.com
Imperial Car Rental, Tel: +27 (11) 453 0005
Website: www.imperialcarrental.co.za
Electricity
Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug is required for appliances - these adapters can be purchased in South Africa.
Access for the Disabled
The ICC has excellent wheelchair access and a Braille trail. Most hotels are wheelchair accessible. South African Airways provides passenger aid units at all major airports.
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Babysitting
Delegates requiring this service should liaise directly with their hotel.
Badges
For security reason, badges must be worn at all times, including at social functions. Proof of identity is required for replacement of badges.
Safety and Security
Visitor numbers to South Africa and Durban are growing dramatically. However, unfortunately, as with many major cities in the world, a small percentage do experience crime.
The South African Police Service has introduced plans to ensure the safety of tourists and delegates. Nevertheless, the normal safety precautions should be exercised as with all major cities in the world. In addition, the IBA recommends delegates use the transport provided to travel to and from the Conference centre and social functions.
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