CBA 2010 General Conference
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a visa to visit Johannesburg?
2. Who pays for my accommodation and flights?
3. Do I have to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton?
4. How do I get to / from the airport?
5. Do partners have to pay to attend the conference?
6. Is anyone exempt from the registration fee?
7. Will I be able to withdraw money easily?
8. If I bring my laptop, can I access the internet?
9. Will I be able to use my mobile phone?
10. What will weather conditions be like in April?
11. What do I need to include in my biography for the registration form?
1. Do I need a visa to visit Johannesburg?
Many countries are exempt from obtaining a visa in advance, and instead are able to access a 30 day or 90 day Visitor’s Permit on arrival. To view a complete list of these exempt countries, click here.
If the country for which you hold a passport is not listed, you will need to obtain a visa. The Visa Application Form explains all the necessary documents you will need in order to apply for your South African Visa. Travellers are strongly advised to check with the nearest South African Embassy / High Commission; as travel permit rules are reviewed from time to time.
If you require a visa support letter, please email Adam Weatherhead on adam@cba.org.uk.
Delegates are also reminded that they will
need 2 BLANK PAGES in their passport in order to be granted entry into Johannesburg by customs. As a general travel rule, If you do not have 2 blank pages in your passport at the time of travel, custom officers have the right to refuse entry.
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2. Who pays for my accommodation and flights?
Delegates pay for their own accommodation and travel costs, and it is their responsibility to book their hotel and flights. The CBA advise delegates do this as far in advance as possible, so as to benefit from the lowest fares, and as there is a limit on conference numbers. Three Sandton hotels offer a discount to everybody attending the conference. Make sure you quote the CBA rate reference codes when booking.
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3. Do I have to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton?
The Sandton Hilton is the official conference hotel, and we expect a large number of delegates will stay there. However, there are three other hotels within walking distance for you to choose from. Access a list and contact info for each hotel here.
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4. How do I get to / from the airport?
SABC are providing transfers for all CBA conference delegates arriving between the 16 - 22 April. Any transport required outside of these days will be delegates own responsibility. SABC have engaged Avis Car Hire to manage all airport transfers. On arrival, delegates will be received by Avis drivers who will hold up a board with the CBA and SABC logos with the delegate’s name/s on it. These drivers will wear a red jacket which will make them easy to spot. Should no driver be visible, delegates can report to the Gauteng Tourism desk or the Avis Car Rental kiosk at International arrivals. Delegates will need to inform the driver at which hotel they will be staying.
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5. Do partners have to pay to attend the conference?
Yes, all partners of delegates must pay the partner fee of £150. Partners also must register by filling out the conference registration form.
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6. Is anyone exempt from the registration fee?
Yes, sponsors, speakers and chairmen of sessions are exempt.
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7. Will I be able to withdraw money easily?
There are banks with ATMs and change facilities at every commercial centre. American Express and Rennies Travel (an agent for Thomas Cook) have branches at the airport and in major malls. There is also a currency exchange faciltiy at the Conference hotel (Sandton Hilton). Visitors should note that all transactions are made in local currency.
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8. If I bring my laptop, can I access the internet?
Wireless Internet is available throughout the Sandton Hilton hotel. Cheap Wi-Fi is also available in many other locations throughout Sandton, including major shopping malls and cafes.
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9. Will I be able to use my mobile phone?
If travellers plan to purchase a local SIM, they’ll need to register their details with the mobile provider. The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act (RICA), requires mobile operators Cell C, MTN and Vodacom, as well as other service providers such as Nashua Mobile, Autopage and Virgin Mobile South Africa, to register on secure databases the identities, physical address and cellular phone numbers of new and existing customers who buy SIM cards.
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10. What will weather conditions be like in April?
April in Johannesburg is Autumn Season. However, temperatures will still reach around 22 Degrees Celsius during the day. Nights can be expected to be a little milder, but by no means cold.
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11. What do I need to include in my biography for the registration form?
The biography section of the registration form is important as we will use this information in our conference brochures, which will be handed out to every delegate who attends. Your biography should be about 3 or 4 sentences long and can include information about your current job title and responsibilities, as well as previous roles. You could also include information about your education history. See below for an example of what we're looking for:
Jasmine Dhariwal
Director of Training and Bursaries, CBA
Jasmine Dhariwal began her media career working for BBC Local Radio as a researcher and a presenter and later moved to BBC Television’s Asian Programmes Department. Jasmine has extensive experience producing specialist programming and events and was also seconded for 2 years to work as Head of Production for Youth Culture TV and Timebank. Jasmine has been the Director of Training and bursaries for the CBA since 2005.
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