Preparations for the hosting by South Africa of the Diplomatic Conference to consider the Agreement on Safety of Fishing Vessels By Dumisani T Ntuli 9 TO 11 OCTOBER 2012 With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A harmonious blend of architectural styles reflects the tastes of dictates of the past as well as today's more functional requirements. Between the high-rise office blocks, Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found. Narrow, cobble stone streets and the strongly Islamic ambiance of the Bo-Kaap enhance the cosmopolitan ambiance of the city. Overall, the Western Cape climate is typically Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters and low summer rainfall prevail. Near the coast, summer’s temperature rises from a pleasant low of 15º C to a heart warming 27º C. Inland temperatures are some 35º C higher. Coastal winters see the mercury dropping to a mild 7º C at night and rising to a comfortable 18º C by day. Away from the beach, morning wakens to an invigorating 5º C and midday peaks at 22º C. In winter (from May to July), the snow-capped peaks of the Boland and the Cederberg Mountains and the lush, moist earth evoke an atmosphere conducive to log fires in cosy taverns. However, with the onset of spring (from August to October), the fast-retreating winter merges with the summer sun, bringing forth some of the world's most spectacular wild flower displays. CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (CTICC) CTICC Front face CTICC From the reception CTICC Night view Westin Hotel 5* (from R1 590 prpn)http://www.westincapetown.com/ Tsogo Sun Hotel Cullinan 4* (frm R1 450 prpn and R1750 sharing per room per night) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/thecullinan/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=COnyrLvjj7ACFUdlfAodswwbrw Tsogo Sun Hotel Waterfront 4*(R1450 prpn and R1750 sharing prpn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/waterfront-capetown/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=CJnhsMHkj7ACFQwjfAodYXD3sA Tsogo Sun Hotel Cape Sun 4*(R1260 prpn or R1560 sharing per room pn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/capesun/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=CPfWmvDkj7ACFaYJtAodiF8HrQ Garden Court De Waal 3* (R854 prpn or R965 sharing prpn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/garden-court/dewaal/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=CKOuzZvlj7ACFSghtAod3mbunw Protea Fire & Ice 3* (R973 prpn or R1138 sharing prpn) http://protea-fire-ice-cape-town.h-rez.com/index.htm?lbl=ggl-en Protea Sea Point 3* (R973 prpn or R1138 sharing prpn) http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-sea-point.html Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard 3* (R799 prpn or R910 sharing prpn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/pages/custom404.aspx Delegates are responsible for making their own hotel accommodation reservations. Once booked, deposit has to be paid 48 hours of making reservation Transport from hotels to the conference venue and back to your hotel will be provided. Once your reservation has been confirmed, please inform the coordinators of your hotel for transport coordination purposes Worth exploring V&A Waterfront Cape Quarter Greenpoint Greenmarket Square Cavendish Square Canal Walk The Diamond works Gardens Centre Tygervalley The Garden Route includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, the starting point of which is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay culminating in the Tstisikamma Forest - a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and bird life. An important geological feature is the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone, situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions. Oudtshoorn itself, the heart of the ostrich feather industry when it was in its hey day the late 1800s and early 1900s, is well worth a visit. The grandiose, old feather palaces are still to be seen, while ostrich farms, now involved in the commercial production of meat, leather, eggs and feathers, can be toured, with the possibility of riding an ostrich. The region provides a stirring study in contrasts. The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. Oudtshoorn, "Capital of the Klein Karoo", is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale. Is The Wine Breedekloof Wine Route, Breede River Valley Cape Agulhas Wine Route, Western Cape Cape Point Wine Route, Cape Wine Routes Constantia Wine Route Darling Wine Route, Western Cape Franschhoek Wine Route, Cape Winelands Stellenbosch Wine Route, Cape Winelands http://www.wineroute.co.za /eat.asp The Route Robben Island http://www.robbenisland.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&vi ew=article&id=13&Itemid=13 http://www.capetown.travel/attraction s/entry/Khayelitsha_Township_Tour_a nd_Craft_Market Here are the venues Artscape Theatre Complex (City Centre) - large productions including ballet, opera and dance. Baxter Theatre Complex (Rondebosch) - contemporary theatre On Broadway (Greenpoint) - revues, cabaret and worldclass drag Maynardville Open-Air Theatre (Wynberg) - Shakespeare with a local twist Spier Amphitheatre (Stellenbosch) - opera, musical concerts Theatre on the Bay (Camps Bay) - upmarket contemporary theatre, including restaurant. Armchair Theatre (Observatory) - anything goes, a variety of local artists The place of music and dance Cape Town has its unique jazz sound, just explore! Further guidance will be provided Some Men’s passion bellvillegolf.co.za atlanticbeachgolf club.co.za clovelly.co.za Metropolitan Golf Course (tel 021) 434 7808) mowbraygolfclub .co.za rondeboschgolf-club.co.za royalcapegolf.co.za westlakegolfclub.co.za Golf courses Trendy bars along the Camps Bay offer cocktails and sundowners and a place to be 'seen' - try *Caprice: http://www.cafecaprice.co.za/ or *Sandbar: http://www.sandbar.co.za/ for a sundowner drink or Baraza: http://www.baraza.co.za/ for drinks accompanied by local DJ's. *La Med http://www.sabookonline.com/clifton/restaurants/LaMed.aspx beach bar in Clifton. Also on the Atlantic Seaboard, *Wafu: http://www.wininganddining.co.za/western-cape/cape-town/mouillepoint/wakame-and-wafu in Mouille Point has a fantastic wooden deck which overlooks the sea - perfect for chilling with a cocktaik and some of their speciality Asian tapas. Long Street in the city centre offers an eclectic mix of entertainment and is within walking distance of the many backpackers lodges found in the area. Try *Po Na Na Bar: http://www.tagzania.com/pt/po-na-na-bar/ on Heritage Square. For a mellow and laid back evening, try *Kennedy's Cigar bar: http://www.kennedys.co.za/ with its plush interior, cigars and bourbon. And, for an ultra-cool experience head for the *Planet bar: http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/planet_bar.jsp at the Mount Nelson hotel for exotic cocktails, champagne, caviar and oysters. In trendy Kloof Street, *Asoka Son of Dharma: http://www.asokabar.co.za/ is a sophisticated lounge and bar with an upmarket yet comfortable feel. South African Airways http://www.flysaa.com/gb/en/ : London Heathrow is an ideal hub for direct flights to Cape Town mainly for delegates travelling from the Euro-zone; All other flights via OR Tambo International (JHB) where you are required to proceed to immigration and clear your luggage before proceeding to Cape Town. Protocol Staff will be there to help in JHB and Cape Town. GETTING THERE Social events under consideration ◦ Week-end preceding: South African Maritime Safety Authority Golf Challenge ◦ Boat trip to Robben Island Museum ◦ Visit to the Cape Point i.e. the Atlantic greets the Indian ocean ◦ Guided tour of the Kirstenbosch gardens ◦ Cable car tour to the top of Table mountain ◦ Guided City tour ◦ In search of ‘the Club of the night’ ◦ In search of ‘the Best Restaurant of the Day’ ◦ Wine tasting event Social events under consideration There will be an option to sign up for any or all of the above not to be missed events With a favourable exchange rate for many international currencies, you'll find South Africa an inexpensive destination. And an easy one – our financial institutions are world-class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers. Official Exchange rate: http://www.resbank.co.za/pages/default.aspx The country dialling code is +27 and the area code for Cape Town is 21 time zone is GMT +2 Most centres, bars and restaurants have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections You can hire mobile phones and can also buy sim card using your Hotel as your address South Africa is a safe destination with good levels of hygiene and drinkable water. Please observe all other displayed health warnings Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. A valid acceptable passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover your intended stay. A valid visa, if required. Sufficient funds. A return or onward ticket. At least two blank pages in your passport. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.za/Counties%20Exempy%20from% 20SA%20Visaa.html Where do I apply: http://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/in dex.htm Application form: http://www.dha.gov.za/PDF/immigration/bi84.pdf Project Manager for the Conference: Ms Nomusa Maeko- maekon@dot.gov.za Conference Coordinators: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Ms Ms Ms Ms Lebogang Mdluli- mdlulil@dot.gov.za Mmanoko Kgaffe- kgaffem@dot.gov.za Mokgobeng Phirwa- phirwam@dot.gov.za Ayanda Mngadi – amngadi@samsa.org.za