In order to facilitate participants’ stay in South Africa, the Department of Communications together with Emperors Palace has provided some practical information as listed.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Visitors entering South Africa must possess a valid passport. Most passport holders need visas to enter the country, but citizens of some states are exempt from this. Check with a travel agent or the nearest South African representative to determine if one is needed. More detailed information concerning special visa arrangements for delegates to WTSA-08 will be made available on the host country website in the near future. Visas should be obtained in the tourist's own country and will not be issued in South Africa. To assist in obtaining a Visa, a copy of the invitation letter or registration confirmation letter for WTSA-08 should accompany the visa application.

A multiple-entry visa is needed if visitors intend to travel to and from neighbouring countries during the time in which the visa is valid.

Visitors from Yellow Fever endemic countries must have proof of current Yellow Fever inoculation.

Upon arrival, visitors must present proof that they have enough money to support themselves and must possess a valid return ticket or enough money to purchase one.

Please remember that all passports should be valid for 6 months after the departure date from the country visited and have 3 blank pages. Please ensure that ALL NECESSARY VISAS and health certificates have been obtained.

TIME:

South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.

ELECTRICITY:

The South African current is 200/240 volts at 50 cycles per second.

Most plugs have three round pins but some electrical sockets take plugs with two small round pins. Adaptors can be purchased in South Africa.
American-made appliances may need a transformer, which can be purchased in South Africa.

WEATHER:

Gauteng is a landlocked territory bordered by the North West, Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. The province is about 1760 meters above sea level on the highest part of the interior plateau known as the Highveld. The Highveld is known for its temperate weather, and Gauteng boasts one of the best climates in the world.

Treeless Savannah makes up most of the vegetation in this province and rainfall varies from as little as 400 mm in the far south to 900 mm in the northeast region.

Rainfall mostly occurs during the summer months (October to February) and thunderstorms in the region are famous for their quick entrance and speedy departure.

Summers are sunny and hot and winters are generally mild. Winter days are generally sunny despite the drop in temperature at night and the early morning. The warmest months are November, December and January, with temperatures hitting the early 30s (degrees Celsius). Gautengers enjoy 8,5 hours of sunshine per day – one of the highest rates of sunshine in the world.

The average daily temperature for October in Johannesburg ranges from 11-24 degrees, with rainfall averaging 72mm for this month (South African Weather Service Statistics based on a 30 year period between 1961-1990).

CURRENCY

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. South Africa has a competitive exchange rate and a world class banking system. The banks are generally open from 9am to 3.30pm Mondays through Fridays, and 8.30am to 11am on Saturdays, but those at the airports adjust their hours to accommodate international flights.

The major banks have a wide distribution of branches as well as automated teller machines (ATMs). Most branches have facilities for changing foreign currency, and there are specialist Foreign exchange outlets available in South Africa.

All major credit cards can be used in South Africa, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance than MasterCard and Visa.

One anomaly - you can't purchase fuel with a credit card. South Africans make use of special fuel credit cards, known as garage or petrol cards, for use only at filling stations. You can, however, pay road tolls with MasterCard or Visa.

TIPPING

Tipping is common practice in South Africa for a range of services. In restaurants the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill. Barmen are tipped a similar percentage.

Petrol stations are manned by attendants who will expect a tip of two or three rands for filling up with petrol, checking oil, water and tyre pressure and cleaning windscreens. Hotel porters should be tipped two to five rands. It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers, tour guides and even hairdressers.

If you park a car in a populated area such as near a shopping centre, street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car and in return should be paid a small fee - anything from two rands upwards.

TRANSPORT FACILITIES

To assist delegates complimentary transport service will be arranged between the airport and the listed hotels, and between the listed hotels and the Emperors Palace Convention Centre (venue for WTSA-08).

GUEST TOUR INFORMATION

Guest Tour information will be made available on the Host Country Website, which will be linked to the ITU website. It will contain also information on the possible excursions/day trips for delegates.

For more information on South Africa, the following websites can be accessed:

www.gauteng.net

www.southafrica.info