GENERAL INFORMATION

Conference venue

CTICC 1 – Cape Town International Convention Center

Convention Square,
1 Lower Long Street,
Cape Town
8001, South Africa

Website: https://www.cticc.co.za/

The CTICC is conveniently located in the city’s business and entertainment district, within easy reach of major attractions, accommodation, and dining options.

Buildings of CTICC 1 and CTICC 2 are connected via a skybridge that allows visitors to easily and safely navigate between the conference rooms, exhibition halls, and event spaces of both buildings.

The Conference venue consists of approximately 11 200 m² of space that can be divided into multiple conference or banquet rooms, a ballroom, and two auditoriums, one of which can hold up to 1500 people.

Entrance to the venue

The CTICC 1 main entrance is located on Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town in Foreshore district.  For the quickest access, use the P1 Parking, which connects to the main entrance and other event spaces via elevators and walkways, or get out at MyCiTi bus stop "Walter Sisulu Avenue“.

AC Power Plugs and Sockets

In South Africa, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type M and type C are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.

The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.

M

C

Time Zone

South Africe is located in South African Standard Time (SAST) and is the same as Central Africa Time (CAT), UCT+02:00. Daylight Saving Time is not used in South Africa.

Currency

The official currency used in Cape Town is the South African rand (currency code: ZAR, sign: R). It is subdivided into 100 cents (sign: c)

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas, but you might need a bit of cash for local shops, tipping and some more rural experiences.

Money exchange places – You can safely change money at the banks (ABSA Bank,
Capitec Bank, First National Bank, Nedbank), Bureau de Change, or there are two Travelex offices in the centre. It is also possible to withdraw money at the ATM in local currency. Consider checking what the current exchange rate is to avoid getting overcharged on extra fees.

Language of the conference

The official language of the conference is English.

Official Languages

South Africa is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world as it recognises 12 official languages. Many South Africans speak at least two languages fluently, often even three or four, and fluidly switch between them in a conversation. This special skill is called „code-switching“.

The most spoken languages in Cape Town are Afrikaans, isiXhosa and English. As an international visitor, you should manage alright mainly with English.

It is always appreciated when visitors put in an effort to learn at least the basics. We have put together a list to help you with that.

Important Telephone Numbers

• 112 - General Emergency (from mobile)
• 107 – General Emergency (from landline)
• 021 535 1100 – Medical & Fire Emergency
• 10177 - Ambulance
• 10111 – Police
• 021 480 7700 – City of Cape Town Emergency

Insurance

The organizers can accept no liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to the workshop participants, either during or as a result of the event. Participants are advised to have sufficient travel and health insurance before departing from their home country.

No-smoking

Smoking is prohibited at the event venue.

Shopping

Shops in Cape Town are usually open between 9 a.m and 8 p.m on weekdays, but it can differ based on location and season. Many shopping centres can have extended shopping hours and open on Sundays from 10 a.m. Smaller shops and stores tend to have generally shorter opening hours and tend to be closed on Saturday afternoons, on Sundays and on public holidays. The Waterfront is close to the CTICC and offers over 450 shops and restaurants open 9am to 9pm.

Tipping

South Africa has a tipping culture, and whilst it is not obligatory, the custom is to tip for a service. The general rule is to start at 10 %. But as many people working in the service industry rely on tips to make a living wage, the tips can reach even 20 % for excellent service. Ideally tip in cash.

Here is more detailed advice for who to tip and how much:

• waiters, bartenders: 10–20 %
• taxi drivers: 10–20 %
• tour guides: R100–R300
• hotel staff: R20–R500
• beauty professionals: 10–15 %
• petrol attendants: R5–R20
• car guards: R5

Social services in South Africa advise against giving money to street children and beggars.
If you would like to help out, you can donate money to an organisation like The Haven  (https://www.haven.org.za) that offers a network of night shelters around Cape Town.