General Information
Cape Town
Cape Town and the Western Cape are considered
among the most beautiful areas in Africa.
Characterised by a blend of African, European
and Asian cultures, the pristine coastline with
its white sandy beaches, the magnificent
countryside with its bountiful rivers, wetlands and
dams, and the unique flora kingdom, together
with a Mediterranean-like climate and friendly
community, make it a perfect destination for any
visitor.
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South
Africa, and the historic buildings of the Houses
of Parliament are situated in the Cape Town city
centre. Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, the
Cape Town central business district is a relatively
small area, which allows for easy exploration on
foot. Numerous excellent hotels, loft apartments,
trendy restaurants and bars can be found in the
heart of the city and along the coast.
Take a trip up Table Mountain, visit the Victoria
& Alfred Waterfront with over 270 shops, a wide
selection of restaurants and art and craft markets.
Last, but not least, take the trip to Robben
Island, where Nelson Mandela was formerly
incarcerated. The central city area offers a wide
range of attractions and activities and the visitor
can experience the Mother City at her best.
Currency and banks
The unit of currency in South Africa is the South
African Rand (ZAR) and is indicated with a
capital R so that, for example, three Rand and
fifty cents would be written R3.50. South Africa
has a decimal currency system with one Rand
equalling 100 cents. Denomination of Rand
notes are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 and of
the coins are R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
The following exchange rates were applicable at
time of compiling this document.
| 1 US$ = ZAR8.05 | 1 Euro = ZAR10.76 |
Facilities for cashing travellers' cheques are
available at banks (operating hours are Monday
to Friday, 09:00 to 15:30, Saturdays 08:30 - 11:00)
and at most hotels. Foreign exchange agencies
are open during the week and on Saturdays.
Automatic teller machines (ATM) are open 24
hours and are located at most banks as well as
at the congress venue. International credit cards
(Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard and American
Express) are accepted at the majority of hotels,
restaurants and shops.
Electricity supply
The electricity supply in South Africa is 220 to 240
volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a
round three-pin plug. Most hotels provide dualvoltage
two-pin razor sockets (100 - 120 volts
and 220 - 240 volts).
Health
There are no compulsory vaccination requirements
for persons entering South Africa, although
a certificate for yellow fever may be required if
you are entering from certain South American or
sub-Saharan African countries.
Certain parts of the country have been designated
as malaria risk areas. If you intend travelling to
one of these areas, it is essential that you take
prophylaxis before arrival and whilst in the area.
Protective clothing and insect repellents should
also be used. Cape Town is a malaria risk free
area.
South African doctors and dentists are highly
trained professionals and hospitals are well
equipped. Participants are requested to make
their own arrangements with respect to health
insurance prior to departure and consult their local
general practitioner for personal expert advice.
For international travel and health advisories,
please visit the WHO website, www.who.int/ith or
www.cdc.org
It is safe to drink tap water throughout South
Africa. However, for those who prefer bottled
mineral water, this is readily available in various
stores.
Smoking is prohibited by law in most public
buildings in South Africa (airports, Cape Town
International Convention Centre, restaurants,
etc.), except in designated smoking areas.
Insurance
The International Dairy Federation World
Dairy Summit 2012 accepts no liability for any
personal injury, loss or damage of property
belonging to or additional expenses incurred
by congress participants either during the
congress or as result of delays, strikes or any
other circumstances. Participants are requested
to make their own arrangements with respect to
health, travel and cancellation insurance.
Language
The official language at the summit will be
English.
Lunch
Lunches will be included in the participants'
registration fee. Please note that any special
catering requirements must be specified when
registering and may incur an additional charge.
Passports and visas
Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid
passport. Passport holders from more than
80 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK,
Japan and the EU, can visit South Africa without a visa. Information regarding visas can be
obtained from your travel agent or the South
African diplomatic or consular representative in
your area.
Passports should have at least two completely
empty pages otherwise entry may be denied.
Passports must be valid for at least six months
after your intended date of departure.
Delegates requiring visas, and who intend taking
tours to neighbouring Southern African countries,
are advised to secure a multiple entry visa.
Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that
they have the means of support for the duration
of their stay in the country and return /onward
tickets. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.
A list of countries that currently do not require a
visa can be found at the SA Government website,
http://www.home-affairs.pwv.gov.za/imigration/visas/schedule.htm.
If required, upon request, the secretariat is
willing to send you a letter of invitation. It should
be understood that this letter will be sent only
to help participants to raise travel funds or
to obtain a visa. A letter of invitation is not a
commitment on the part of the organisers to
provide any financial support. Please note that
only registered delegates who have paid their
registration fees will be issued with a letter of
invitation.
Prices
Prices will vary, but the following is an indication
of what delegates might expect:
| Tea or coffee | ZAR12 | €1.20 | US$1.60 |
| Restaurant meal | ZAR150 | €15 | US$20 |
| Cinema ticket | ZAR37 | €3.70 | US$5 |
| Wine (750ml) | ZAR60 | €6 | US$8.20 |
| Big Mac Burger | ZAR20 | €2 | US$2.70 |
| Beer (340ml) | ZAR15 | €1.50 | US$2 |
| Cola (340ml) | ZAR7 | €0.70 | US$1 |
| Sandwich | ZAR25 | €2.50 | US$3.50 |
Programme changes
The organisers cannot assume liability for any
changes in the programme due to external or
unforeseen circumstances. Changes will be
mentioned on message screens throughout the
congress centre.
Registration hours
The registration desk in the CTICC will be open
during the following hours:
| Sunday | 4 Nov 2012 | 08:00 - 19:00 |
| Monday | 5 Nov 2012 | 08:00 - 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 6 Nov 2012 | 08:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 7 Nov 2012 | 08:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 8 Nov 2012 | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Security
For those participants who have not previously
visited South Africa or Cape Town, and are
concerned about personal safety, we wish to
assure all visitors that Cape Town is like any
other major city with good and bad areas.
Common sense will ensure a trouble free and
enjoyable summit and vacation.
The area around the CTICC and adjacent hotels
is safe and well monitored at all times, but we
advise that you do not walk alone after dark in
unpopulated streets. Ostentatious displays of
wealth should be avoided at all times. During
the summit, the information desk at the CTICC
and your hotel's concierge will be able to assist
you with information on places to visit and the
appropriate means of transport.
Shopping in Cape Town
Most shops in the city centre and suburbs open
between 08:00 and 17:00 to 17:30. Shops in
major shopping malls open at 09:00 and close at
21:00 or later (especially at the V&A Waterfront),
as well as on Sundays and most public holidays.
Government agencies still keep to traditional
weekday only hours. Most banks close at 15:30
and have limited Saturday morning opening
times. Muslim-owned businesses close at noon
on Fridays and re-open at 13:00.
Tipping
Gratuities are expected in South Africa. A
guideline for visitors is the following: airport
porters ZAR5 per item, taxis 10%, waiters and
waitresses in restaurants 10%.
Trade exhibition
A commercial exhibition of food related items
and technical equipment will be organised
during the summit. Interested companies,
please contact the exhibition organiser for
further information at:
Travellers' cheques
Most international travellers' cheques are
accepted, provided they are in an acceptable
currency and may be cashed at most banks.
Many hotels and shops also provide this
service.
VAT/tax refunds
VAT of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and
services. Foreign tourists may claim back VAT
paid on items that will be taken out of the country.
Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all
the items on which a refund is claimed, must
be presented at the VAT Refund Administration
Office or an appointed RSA Customs and Excise
Official on departure, and the total VAT on these
items will be refunded.
Venue
Located in the hub of the city's beautiful northern
foreshore, the Cape Town International Convention
Centre is a cosmopolitan showcase where ideas
and cultures from around the globe are able to
meet and mingle against the stunning backdrop
of Table Mountain. World-class standards and
specifications mean that the CTICC is not only
designed to meet any conference or event
expectation, but also ensure the experience as a
whole is an unforgettable one.
Two auditoria with superb acoustics, top-of-therange
technology, and ergonomically design
seats featuring writing tablets, provide ideal
venues for large formal gatherings, lectures,
awards evenings or even theatre productions.
Spacious and sub-divisible, meeting rooms of
varying sizes, can be set up to suit a variety of
functions or presentations.
For more details please visit www.cticc.co.za.
Weather
It is sunny skies pretty much all day every day
and the sun is hot. Days are long again: Cape
Town sunrise time in November is around 05:30
and sunset 19:30. Twilight is long, so of course
daylight extends beyond these times.
The rainfall and temperature for November:
- Average daily maximum temperature: 24°C (75°F)
- Average daily minimum temperature: 13 °C (55°F)
- Average monthly rainfall 14mm (0,5 inches)
- Days with more than 1mm rain: 5
The whales generally depart in November, but
have still been known to be seen as late as
December in False Bay and Walker Bay, near
Hermanus.
November and December are prime strawberry
picking months, and for that you'll need to head
to Stellenbosch.
