General Information

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the leading cities in Africa. The city is set within the unique Cape Floral Kingdom and is surrounded by the historic winelands of the Western Cape, which have helped earn the region a reputation as a gastronomic destination. The areas surrounding Cape Town offer unforgettable experiences, including wine estates, an abundance of adventure options and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Add to this an interesting cultural diversity and a creative spirit and you’ll discover why Cape Town and the Western Cape are Africa’s most popular tourist destination Africa.

Travel Tips!

• Red Hop-on-Hop-off Bus tours are fantastic with a number of routes around the city and leave from the Aquarium (definitely worth a visit too) at the Waterfront area
• Cape Town and the Winelands – Stellenbosch and Franschhoek or Hermanus are lovely to explore on your own.
• Best to climb Table Mountain with water, sunscreen and knowledge of which route you are taking – she is not just a little hill😉 but offers spectacular views and no shame to use the cable car.
• We have many tourists who have a wonderful time –like all big cities, just needs a little sensibility, do not display jewellery or cameras etc and take care not to walk alone at night
• Ubers (download the app) are safe, cheap and readily available 

Currency

The monetary unit is the South African Rand (ZAR) and the international symbol is R.  R1 = 100 cents. Currency is issued in denominations of notes of R200, R100, R50, R20, R10 and coins. Please visit www.xe.com to convert your local currency.

Value Added Tax

Value added tax (VAT) is included in the price of most goods and services. Visitors are required to pay VAT on purchased goods. VAT refunds may be claimed at airports, harbour and custom offices on items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R250.00. Customs officials will ask to see the items as well as their purchase slips when applying for a refund.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.

Cape Town weather in November (Western Cape, South Africa)

In November, the weather in Cape Town is generally mild and pleasant. You can expect:
Average daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and nighttime lows of about 13°C (55°F).

What should you wear in this month?

Pleasant temperatures in November mean you can pack light but flexible pieces. Cotton t-shirts, comfortable walking shorts, and one warmer layer for evenings. A light sweater or denim jacket works well. Rain gear is recommended, you can expect wet weather on multiple days. The water temperature sits at about 16°C, which is too chilly for most people to enjoy swimming. Leave the swimsuit at home unless you love cold water. You'll definitely want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. There will be plenty of bright sunshine this month.

Time

South Africa is GMT+2 (2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time).
Example: 12h00 midday in South Africa, is:

• 06h00 in New York, USA
• 11h00 in London, UK
• 12h00 midday in Paris, France
• 20h00 in Sydney, Australia

Tipping / Gratuities

A 10% gratuity on the bill generally applies in restaurants and is normally at the discretion of the diner and dependent on the standard of service experienced. Restaurants usually do not include the tip in the bill unless the booking is for 10 or more people.

Electricity

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC 50Hz. Appliances of lesser voltage require a transformer (especially those with a heating element such as hairdryers).  Adapters are obtainable locally and, in most cases, available from your hotel concierge. Most hotel rooms have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.

Water

South African tap water is completely safe to drink and quite palatable. Bottled water is also available from room service, restaurants and at retail outlets.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited by law in public areas throughout South Africa, including airports, shopping malls and restaurants.  Most public spaces have specially designated smoking areas.

OTHERS  

Congress WIFI 
Name: TBC
Password: TBC

WiFi access is available free of charge for all SATS Congress delegates.

Certificates  

All registered delegates present on-site are entitled to receive a Certificate of Attendance and Certificate of Oral Presentation/Poster Presentation, depending on their involvement.

​Lost & Found  

The lost and found service is available at the registration. 

Travel Adapter   

It is necessary to have an adapter with Type M output.  

Safety and Security  

Cape Town is a modern cosmopolitan city that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. The Mother City is generally safe; however, travelers are urged to take basic safety precautions when visiting.  

• Avoid carrying large sums of cash, don’t carry cell phones, wallet, jewellers or cameras in plain sight and do not leave belongings unattended. Don’t walk in deserted or dark areas. Stay in a group and on lit paths. 
• Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night. Park in a secure, well-lit area with street guards. 
• Use a taxi/uber at night and only those from a reputable company
• Never allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATMs or cash points. 
• Street children and beggars may approach you for a handout. If you wish to help, consider giving food, donating to a registered charity for advice. 
• Keep copies of all valuable documents in a safe place. 
• Hiking: When exploring Table Mountain National Park, take a map, comfortable walking shoes, a few friends and a charged mobile phone. When hiking, please avoid the Signal Hill area. Be prepared for weather that can change rapidly, even in summer. Bring along enough water and sunblock, as well as something warm to wear. Start heading back well before dark and don’t venture away from the demarcated paths. Don’t hike alone. We recommend you hike with a group of four or more people. Load the Table Mountain National Park emergency number +27(0)861 106 417 into your mobile phone before departing on a hike. 

​Security tip for Delegates 

​Emergency Contacts 
Emergencies from Mobile: 112 
Emergencies from Landline: 107 
South African Police Service: 10111 
Medical & Fire: +27 21 535 1100 
Ambulance: 10177

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us chipo@eventsmanagement.co.za