Travel and Information - Things to Know
Geography
South Africa is situated on the Southern tip of the African Continent. It shares neighbouring borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. South Africa encloses both Swaziland and Lesotho. South Africa has over 2700 km of coastline shared between the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast and the warm Indian Ocean on the east coast.
Location
Cape Town International Airport is located 20km (12 miles) from the Cape Town city centre. It has a direct link to the city via the N2 freeway.
Transport
The MyCiTi bus rapid transit system offers regular shuttle services to and from the airport. The service operates from the Civic Centre bus station in the city centre on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. Travel on the service requires a myconnect card, which can be purchased from MyCiTi station kiosks and participating retailers.
Metered taxis, car rentals, and ride-hailing services (such as Uber) are also available at the airport.
Parking
At Cape Town International Airport there are short-term, long-term and valet parking options available, as well as designated drop-off and pick-up zones.
Source: https://www.wesgro.co.za/air-access/cape-town-international-airport
Climate
South Africa is known for its long sunny days throughout the year. Most of the country experiences rain in summer, however the Cape Town and Western Cape has predominantly winter rainfall. October is well into spring-time, so weather should be warm and sunny. Bring a light jersey or jacket in case of a few chilly days.
Languages
We have 11 official languages. Yes, 11! And we've recently recognised sign language as an additional official language - bringing it up to 12!
Although English is the most widely spoken language in the province, you're sure to hear the locals conversing in a few more, like Afrikaans or Xhosa.
Brush up on a few colloquialisms to really fit in with the locals - like baie dankie (thank you very much) or lekker (used to describe anything - from food to experiences - that are enjoyable). You may be greeted with more than one "Howzit!" - a greeting that embodies a 'hello' with a 'how are you', all in one!
Population
Population: 65.5 million (24th most populous country globally).
Annual growth: ~1.25%.
Median age: ~29 years (men), ~31 years (women).
Density: ~54 people per km².
Age distribution: 45% under 24 years; 49% working age (25–64); 6% elderly (65+).
Urbanisation: 68% live in cities.
Fertility rate: 2.1 children per woman.
Life expectancy: 65 years (men), 71 years (women).
Health
South Africa has a well-developed healthcare system. There are both public and private hospitals throughout South Africa. Be sure to top up on medical insurance before leaving home. Well-qualified doctors, dentists (naturally), and specialists can be found easily, but it is advisable to make an appointment unless it is an emergency. Medics are available onsite during the Congress.
Electricity
The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ. With a few exceptions electricity is available almost everywhere.
Water
You may have heard of the Cape Town water crisis and "Day Zero"- the day that taps in the city could potentially have run dry. The drought is thankfully over, but we still treat our water as a scarce and valuable resource. On your visit you'll probably notice water saving tips and initiatives in hotels and restaurants. Our tap water in Cape Town is safe to drink but you can purchase bottled spring water at almost any location you visit.
Airports
South Africa's three major international airports are O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg); Cape Town International Airport; and King Shaka International Airport (Durban).
Airports That Fly To Cape Town
- Airlink
- Air France
- Air Mauritius
- Austrian
- British Airways
- Edelweiss Air
- Ethiopian
- Emirates
- KLM
- Kenya Airways
- Lufthansa
- Qatar
- RwandAir
- Singapore Airlines
- TAAG
- Turkish Airlines
- United
- Virgin Atlantic
Getting around the city
Uber, the MyCiti bus system and car rentals are widely available in the Western Cape. A fast-growing cycle culture in the province also adds an alternative and fun way to enjoy the outdoors.
You can also walk to the Waterfront and many great restaurants and attractions within the city but it is advisable to do so in a group. Avoid walking alone at night. Keep your valuables and belongings safely tucked away out of sight.
Currency
South Africa uses the Rand as currency. Keep in mind that you can only use the Rand to shop, dine and experience the province, so you'll have to exchange to the local currency - luckily this can be done quickly and easily at the airport. Most shopping malls also have a Bureau de Change that will assist you.
Foreign Exchange
As we've mentioned you can only pay in Rands in South Africa. But it's super easy to swap your foreign currency for rands. Money can be exchanged at the airport, commercial banks, Rennies Travel and American Express. These can be found in most shopping centres in Cape Town. You may also find exchange facilities in some hotels.
Banking hours are: 9am - 3.30pm (weekdays) and 8.30am - 11am (Saturdays) and are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
If you don't have any cash on you, no worries. All major credit cards are accepted at most establishments in Cape Town, as well as payment methods like Apple Pay and Samsung Wallet.
South African Visas
Certain visitors to South Africa require a visa to enter the country.
It is very important that you apply early for your visa to make sure that you have it in time for travel.
The organisers have no control over the processing of visas nor the length of time that it takes to process.
Please contact your local South African consulate to check processing times.
For more information about visas and countries that require visas please visit https://www.gov.za/services/temporary-residence/visa
To request a visa letter from the organisers please email iap2025@paragonafrica.co.za. Kindly note that registration and accommodation fees will need to be paid in full before a visa letter is issued.
Safety
Keeping you safe in Cape Town and the Western Cape is a top priority for us.
Unfortunately, like many other places in the world, some areas grapple with the unacceptable impact of crime. To counteract this sad occurrence, we continually invest in and work with initiatives such as increased law enforcement deployment, technology expansion, and safety awareness at work to provide a safe environment for all.
We want you to leave our beautiful region with nothing but happy memories. To ensure a pleasurable trip, please keep in mind a few precautions that you can employ on all your travels across the world:
Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night
Never allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATM / cash machines.
At night, park in a secure and well-lit area with street guards.
Keep photocopies and all valuable documents in a safe place.
Emergency Numbers
Accidents happen, it's part of life. Be prepared for any scenario by saving these numbers on your phone before your trip:
- For all emergency services from your mobile dial 112
- For all emergencies from a landline, dial 107
- To call the South African Police Service, dial 10111
Duty-free Shopping
All stores charge the Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% levied on the purchase of most goods in South Africa. This is generally already included in the price you pay for any item. As a foreign visitor, you may apply for a refund of the VAT you pay while in the country provided you apply before you depart.
Ensure that you receive your tax receipts for all purchases made. To claim your VAT refund, present all your tax receipts to the VAT administrator at your point of departure.