o BANKS
South Africa has a world-class financial sector abreast of all the latest technological trends. Banks, bureaux de change and automated tellers (ATMs) can be found from the moment you step off the plane. All major credit cards are accepted with MasterCard and Visa enjoying universal acceptance, while American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance, than MasterCard and Visa. Foreign banks are well represented in South Africa, and you are able to do banking on the internet, at a bank or via the ATM.

o CLOTHING
For the Southern Hemisphere summer months, lightweight (cottons and linens), short-sleeved clothes are best, although a light jersey/jumper might be needed for the cooler evenings. Umbrellas and raincoats are essential for the summers and the Western Cape winters. Warmer clothes are needed for the winter months.

o CURRENCY / EXCHANGE RATE
South Africa is a very inexpensive destination taking into consideration the favourable exchange rate for many of the international currencies. Our unit of currency is the Rand, which is made up of 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c 20c, 50c, R1, R2, and R5; with notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks and at various foreign exchange bureaux. Banks are generally open from 09:00 - 15:30 weekdays and 08:30 - 11:00 on Saturdays. Most banks have Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), which are in operation 24 hours a day for statements, cash withdrawals, deposits and the purchase of airtime for your cellular phone.

o FOOD & BEVERAGES
South Africa offers culinary challenges from crocodile sirloins to fried caterpillars to sheep heads but guest will find world class cuisine at numerous restaurants and take-aways. There are, however, some South African delicacies that visitors to our shores won't find anywhere else in the world. Here's a taste of what to expect:

- Biltong and boerewors - these must be our national icons in the food arena. In the early days, before refrigeration, the Dutch preserved excess meat from the hunt by rubbing it with salt, pepper, coriander, vinegar and saltpeter and hanging it out to dry. Meat treated in this manner lasted indefinitely as long as it was kept dry. Boerewors is a robust farmer's sausage sold in coiled ribbons. The meat is spicy and redolent of coriander and sizzles and splatters companionably when slapped on the coals or dropped into a hot skillet.

- Karoo lamb - by all accounts most chefs agree that we have something special in Karoo lamb. The animals feed on fragrant shrubs and wild herbs that lend to the meat its unique flavour. Grilled, gourmet-style, barbequed or basted, it's a sure-fire winner.

- Koeksisters - those with a sweet tooth - a Koeksister is a must! A sweet made from twisted dough deep fried and dipped in syrup. There are different varieties available. A small town in the Northern Cape, Orania, even has its own statue of a koeksister that is the main focus when they have their "koeksister festival".

- Kingklip - no other country consumes as much kingklip as South Africans do. A sturdy fish with beautiful flakes, it absorbs flavours well and packs satisfying oceans punch.

- Mielies (corn) and pap (maize meal porridge) - Maize has long been the basis of African cuisine. This is roasted on open fires and grinded finely to make the maize meal for the much loved maize porridge. Eaten at breakfast with sour milk and sugar or served with meat drizzled with a tomato and onion gravy, it's a national treasure.

- Samoosas - these triangular savoury pastries are the Indian South African answer to the English meat pie (although we have those too). The filling can be made of either chili-laden mince, chicken or a spicy vegetable mix.

And many more ...

So what's to drink around South Africa?

- Cane spirits - made from distilled sugar cane, where it is mixed into cocktails and combined with tropical fruit juices. South Africa's answer to Vodka...

- Beer - every country has its beers and South Africa is particularly partial to its brew in view of the warm climatic conditions that prevail here.

- Rock shandy - this is the sportsman's thirst quencher of choice, but has proved to be equally popular in restaurants. It's a mixture of club soda, carbonated lemonade, a splash of Angostura bitters, loads of ice and a twisted slice of lemon. Bliss...

- Wine and sparkling wines - South African wines are some of the best in the world and very, very affordable. Try the robust local reds like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage (a variety unique to this country).

Or try a traditional African beer, or witblits, mampoer ....

o HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
- No vaccinations are required for cholera or smallpox. If arriving from a yellow fever zone, you must have a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate.

- Due to the threat of malaria contamination, preventative medication is necessary for the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and the north of KwaZulu-Natal. It is obtainable from all pharmacies in South Africa. Malaria preventative medication is not necessary for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

o HOSPITALS & MEDICAL CARE
It is a fact that South African medical doctors are sought after around the world which illustrates the standard of medical care available at our state-owned and private hospitals and clinics countrywide.

o LANGUAGE
English is the language of the cities and is understood by most South Africans.

Some South African phrases that will make you understand the locals better are:

"Ag shame" - What a pity. An expression of sympathy. Often used as sarcasm.

"Boet" (similar to book but with a t) / "Bru" (brew) - A term of affection from the Afrikaans for brother.

"Braai" - Afrikaans word. Braai is a barbecue. South Africans love to braai.

"Gogga, goggo" (gho-gha or gho-gho) - Insect, bug. From the Khoikhoi.

"Gogo" (gho-gho) - Grandmother or elderly woman, from isiZulu.

"Hey" - The popular expression hey can be used as a stand alone question meaning "pardon" or "what".

"Howzit" - A traditional South African greet that translates roughly as "How are you?".

"Kwaito" (kw-eye-toe) - The music of South Africa's urban black youth a mixture of disco, hip hop, R & B, raga and a heavy dose of house music beats.

"Laduma" (la-doo-mah) - A popular cheer celebrating goals scored at soccer matches, from the isiZulu.

"Lekker" - Also pronounced "lekka". An Afrikaans word meaning nice, it is used to express approval. The connotation of the term implies more than just approval. It also implies enjoyment.

"Madiba" (muh-dee-buy) - An affectionate name for former President Nelson Mandela, and the name of his clan.

"Mampara" (mum-pu-rah) - An idiot, a silly person. From the Sotho language.

For more, visit SouthAfrica.net.

o PASSPORTS & VISAS
For the majority of foreign nationals entry into South Africa entails a valid passport, and in some cases, a visa.

To determine whether you require a visa to enter South Africa, visit the comprehensive South African Home Affairs Department.

For South African missions abroad, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs.

o SAFETY & SECURITY
South Africa is as safe as any other destination in the world. Most parts of the country can be safely visited by tourists provided they take basic common-sense precautions (for example not walking alone in deserted areas at night).

The City of Cape Town has a security force of over 300 officers that visibly patrols the streets with the South African Police Service. Their efforts are aided with the best camera surveillance network system, which monitors the Central Business Districts 24-hours a day. The security at the Cape Town International Convention Centre is in-line with international standards.

o SHOPPING & BUSINESS HOURS
Most shops in the city centres and suburbs are open between 09:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to approximately 14:00 on Sundays.

o TELEPHONES
Cellular phones (mobile phones) can be rented at the airport or at Visitor Information Centres. Blue public phones work with the use of coins, while green public phones work with local Telkom phone cards. International roaming is possible depending on your service provider.

o TIME ZONE
South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time, USA.

o TRAVEL
- By Taxi or Coach
Cape Town's metered taxi operators have a proud record of assisting visitors make the most of their stay. Luxury air-conditioned coaches and shuttle buses will move delegates between the airport, hotels, the CTICC and their functions.

- By Train
Cape Town station is situated within walking distance of the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel, and the functional Metro Rail system connects the city centre with the northern suburbs, southern suburbs and Cape Flats.6

- By Air
The Conference venue is merely a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport with frequent international and domestic flights on a daily basis. Some international carriers fly directly to Cape Town whilst others stop over in Johannesburg or ending their flight there. Johannesburg is an hour and 50-minutes flight away from Cape Town.

FLIGHTS TO & FROM SOUTH AFRICA
International airlines flying into Cape Town include:

Domestic airlines that link Cape Town to other cities in South Africa:

o British Airways/Comair
o Kulula.com
o Nationwide Airlines
o SA Airlink
o South African Airways
o 1Time
o SAA Express

ESTIMATED FLYING TIME WITHIN SOUTH AFRICA

ESTIMATED FLYING TIME FROM INTERNATIONAL CITIES

o TIPPING
Most restaurants do not add a service charge to their bills. It is customary to leave a 10-15% tip for this service, whilst porters, parking and petrol station attendants should be given a contribution at your discretion.

o TAX
South Africa's tax system is known as Value Added Tax (VAT) at a 14% rate on goods and services. Visitors leaving South Africa may claim back VAT on purchases from the VAT refund administrator available at the airports. Only after a passenger has checked in and passed through passport control is the value of the VAT (less the administrator's commission) paid back.

o WEATHER
The Cape's climate is described as Mediterranean with warm dry summers and mild moist winters. In winter (May to July) the mercury drops to a mild 7∞C (44.6∞F) at night rising to a comfortable 18∞C (64.4∞F) by day. Away from the beach morning temperatures can arrive at an invigorating 5∞C (41∞F) with midday temperatures in the region of 22∞C (71.6∞F).

For more information on South Africa and Cape Town visit SouthAfrica.net and Tourism Cape Town.

South Africans are known for their hospitality and we look forward to entertaining you at the 60th World Newspaper Congress, 14th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo in June 2007!