FAQ for Global South 2010

Is my accommodation included in my registration fee?
No, your accommodation is at your own extra cost and will rates vary depending on which Conference Hotel you choose to stay at. However, on the completion of your registration form, the Global South 2010 Conference Secretariat will be able to assist you with the accommodation reservation and payment process.

What happens if I want to stay in a B&B and not at one of the Conference Hotels?
You are very welcome to choose to not to stay in one of the Global South 2010 hotels. Please visit http://www.capestay.co.za/ for a varied list of different accommodation options. Please note however, that alternative accommodation will not be organised by the Global South 2010 Conference Secretariat.

What is the correct dress code for the Conference?
Smart casual dress for the conference sessions, the Welcome Reception and the
Conference Dinner.

Where is Global South 2010 Conference being held and how do I get there?
Global South 2010 is being held at the Spier Estate near Stellenbosch. The Spier Estate proudly offers world-class accommodation and conference facilities in the beautiful setting of an historic 1000-hectare wine estate. All of this is underscored by a serious commitment to sustainable business practices and investment in South African arts and culture, making it the perfect setting for Global South 2010.

All designated Global South 2010 Conference Hotels are situated within close proximity to the Spier Estate.

Directions from Cape Town International Airport
- Take the N2 toward Somerset West (opposite direction of Cape Town)
- Take exit 33 which is the Baden Powell Drive/ R310 Stellenbosch turn off
- Turn left in the direction of Stellenbosch
- Spier is 9 km down the road on the right

Directions from Cape Town City Centre
- Take the N2 towards Cape Town International Airport
- Continue past the Airport turnoff, this is approximately 10 km after the cooling towers
- Take exit 33 which is the Baden Powell Drive/ R310 Stellenbosch turn off
- Turn left in the direction of Stellenbosch
- Spier is 9 km down the road on the right

Directions from Milnerton/Bellville and Brackenfall areas
- Take N1 and exit 47
- Turn right at the stop sign and continue to Stellenbosch on the R44
- As you drive into Stellenbosch keep straight and you will get into Adam Tas road which has the railway line on its right
- Go past Simonsberg Cheeses and Bergkelder
- Turn right at the sign for Cape Town and Kuils River – R310
- At sign for Muizenberg – R310 turn left
- If you go past Neethlingshof turn back - Spier is +- 5 km down the road on the left

Where should I park during the Conference?
There is ample, free parking at the Spier Estate.

What are the medical facilities in Stellenbosch like?
Emergency care is excellent and widely available in Stellenbosch with world-class medical specialists, international prescriptions drugs, cutting-edge technological facilities and safe blood supply. South Africa has no national health scheme, so it is advisable to purchase travel insurance that will cover medical expenses during the period of your stay.

What are the contact details for an emergency?
You can dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services) and 10177 for an ambulance.

Is the water safe to drink?
In the major cities and towns and at most game reserves, tap water is purified, tastes good and 100% safe to drink.

What sort of precautionary measures do I need to take in regard to protection from the African sun?
The South African sun is strong, with a high ultraviolet rating. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher is recommended at all times, as well as a hat.

What about the safety and security of my family?
Stellenbosch is a small, university town and with most residents being either wineland workers or university members, petty crimes so commonly found in large cities are rare here.

This said, like any other place in the world, precautions need to be taken. Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to South Africans, but, as always, travellers should take a few basic precautions to ensure a safe and pleasant visit:

• Never leave personal property unattended
• Store valuables in your hotel’s safety deposit box
• Keep your hotel room locked
• Use reliable taxi services
• Avoid displaying expensive jeweler and cameras
• Do not carry large sums of money on your person
• Stay away from dark, isolated areas
• When travelling by car, plan your route in advance
• Keep car doors locked and windows closed, and stay aware when stopped
  at a stoplight
• When parked or driving, place valuables out of sight in the boot (trunk)
• Never give strangers a lift

What are the contact details for an emergency?
You can dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services) and 10177 for an ambulance.

Where do I find a timetable of the Conference proceedings?
To find out more about the programme, click here.

What kind of social events can I expect at Global South 2010?
A variety of exciting social events have been planned for delegates and their accompanying persons.

Welcome Reception
All participants are invited to attend a welcome reception prior to the start of the conference, at the Spier Wine Estate. Drinks and snacks will be served and the evening will kick off the conference week. Reconnect with friends and colleagues, plan the sessions you will attend, make appointments with producers or traders and just enjoy the evening.

Conference Dinner
Delegates will be able to enjoy a taste of Africa at Moyo on the Spier Wine Estate. Prepare yourself for an evening of vibrant African food and entertainment, from across the continent. Your table might be in a tree house or a Bedouin tent, and you will be surrounded by historic and contemporary African art, artefacts, design, and ritual.

Optional activities (not included in registration fees)

Spier Wine Estate offers a variety of activities for delegate to enjoy at their own leisure, including a Spier sustainability tour, wine tasting, as well as touching cheetahs and eagles from their nature outreach projects.

Spier Cheetah Outreach Programme:
Spier has made land available to a group of hand-raised cheetahs in the care of the Cheetah Outreach Programme. Learn more about these incredible cats from a distance, or get up close and personal and even step inside an enclosure. Entrance donations help fund the cheetah outreach programme.

Cheetah outreach assists the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in their efforts to ensure the survival of the free-ranging cheetah. An education facility aims to increase global awareness of the cheetah and to raise funds for the centre so it can run independently.

Eagle Encounters:
Spier is home to Eagle Encounters Raptor Rehabilitation Centre. Eagle Encounters is a bird of prey rehabilitation, education, conservation and eco-tourism centre.

The long-term vision of the Eagle Encounters Project is that the organisations helps to preserve the eco-environment by protecting birds of prey through the re-release of rehabilitated birds back into the wild, and through creating community awareness of birds of prey. Watch how ancient falconry techniques are used to train them to hunt. Flying demonstrations are held daily.

What kind of family activities does Stellenbosch have to offer?
Stellenbosch’s natural beauty is conducive to an active, outdoor lifestyle and typical family activities can include lazy afternoons of quiet strolls through our natural forestation and hikes through gentle mountain ranges which offer your family the chance to interact with indigenous wildlife and clean, fresh air.

What is the time zone in Stellenbosch and South Africa?
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time and seven hours behind Australian Central Time.

What is the currency used in South Africa?
The South African currency is the Rand
Click here to view an up-to-date currency converter
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most commercial banks and Bureaux de Change are widely available.

Banking Hours:
Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 15h30
Saturdays: 08h30 – 11h00
ATMs are widely available and are mostly open 24 hours a day for cash withdrawals and statements.

Do I need to have any inoculations or vaccines before I travel?
The only inoculation requirement for visitors is a yellow fever vaccination certificate for those entering South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever zone. Babies of one year old or less are exempt. Malaria is endemic in some parts of Mpumalanga, Northern Province, and KwaZulu-Natal and it is essential to take precautions if you intend to visit these areas. The bilharzia parasite is present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country, and visitors should avoid contact with the water in these regions. There is no immunisation against bilharzia. The closest malaria and bilharzia regions are approximately 1600 kilometres from Cape Town.

What are the distance and temperature conversions?
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometres.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometres
Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.

What electricity outlets are used in most hotels and do I need to buy a special adapter?
The electricity supply is 220-240 volts, 50 Hz. The connection for appliances is a round three-pin plug. The wall plugs are not comparable with Europe, US and the East; special adapters are available in most airport duty free shops.

What is the correct etiquette across South Africa?
The dress code across South Africa is mainly casual and smart casual, except in some restaurants and clubs that require more formal attire. Smoking is banned in public buildings and on planes, buses and trains.

What are the disabled facilities like for visitors?
South African Airways provides passenger aid units at all major airports. Many hotels offer facilities for the disabled, as do most rest camps in the Kruger National Park. Wheelchairs and other aides are available for hire in most cities. The larger rental car agencies can provide vehicles with hand controls.

What is the official language of South Africa?
South Africa has 11 official languages and English is spoken throughout the country. French, German and Italian are also spoken at many larger hotels and popular tourist destinations around Cape Town.

What sort of paperwork do I need to travel into South Africa?
Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid passport and a visa if required.
A list of South African consulates and embassies may be found on the South African Department of Foreign Affairs website or visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website:
{w} Foreign Affairs
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs

Visa application forms can be downloaded from the South African Home Affairs website:
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs

How do I make phone calls in and out of South Africa?
Cape Town telephone dialing codes:
International: +27-21-
National: 021-
National Directory Enquiries: 1023
To call internationally out of South Africa, dial 00 and then the country code. Cell phones are widely available for hire, as are 'starter packs' if your personal handset is compatible with the South African system.

What are the gratuity measures when it comes to tipping?
It is customary to tip waiters, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters, caddies and other service providers. Depending on the service, the amount should be around 10%-15% of the bill, R5 per suitcase or R20 per golf bag.

Can I claim back VAT (Value Added Tax)?
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign visitors may claim back VAT paid on items to be taken out of the country when the total value exceeds ZAR 250.00. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow are available from VAT Refund Administration offices at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban International Airports, and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.