The 19th World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control | Cape Town, South
Africa | 24-29 August 2014
Promoting automatic control for the benefit of humankind
Is my accommodation included in my registration fee?
No, your accommodation is at your own extra cost and rates will vary depending on which
Congress Accommodation you choose. However, as part of the registration process, the IFAC 2014 Congress Secretariat will be able to assist you with the accommodation reservation
and payment process.
What happens if I want to stay in a B&B and not at the Congress Accommodation?
You are very welcome to choose not to stay in one of the IFAC 2014 hotels. Please visit
www.capestay.co.za for a
list of varied accommodation options. Please note that the Congress Secretariat can only
make bookings at the designated Congress hotels and cannot be responsible for accommodation
booked independently by delegates.
Where is the IFAC 2014 being held and how do I get there?
IFAC 2014 is being held at the state-of-the-art Cape Town International Convention Centre
(CTICC). Ideally located on Cape Town's foreshore, adjacent to the Waterfront, the central
business district and leading hotels, the CTICC is an exceptional facility that meets the
expectations of delegates and organisers alike.
All designated IFAC 2014 Congress Hotels are situated within close walking distance of the CTICC. Directions to CTICC from Cape Town International Airport (Approximately 21 km (20 minutes))
For directions to and from the CTICC, visit www.cticc.co.za/public/main/directions.aspx
Where should I park during the Congress?
Parking is available on a "pay on foot" basis in any of the CTICC parking areas – P1, P2,
or P3. Any parking expenses are for delegates’ own accounts and are not included in
registration fees.
What are the medical facilities in Cape Town like?
Emergency care is excellent and widely available in Cape Town with world-class medical
specialists, international prescriptions drugs, cutting-edge technological facilities
and safe blood supply. South Africa has no national health scheme, so it is advisable
to purchase travel insurance that will cover medical expenses during the period of your stay.
Who do I call in an emergency?
You can dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services) and 10177 for an ambulance.
Is the water safe to drink?
In the major cities and towns and at most game reserves, tap water is purified, tastes good
and is 100% safe to drink.
What sort of precautionary measures do I need to take in regard to protection
from the African sun?
The South African sun is strong, with a high ultraviolet rating. Sunscreen with a sun
protection factor of 20 or higher is recommended at all times, as well as a hat.
What about safety and security?
Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to South Africans, but, as always,
travellers should take a few basic precautions to ensure a safe and pleasant visit:
Accommodation
Transport
On the mountain
At the beach
Sightseeing and entertainment
In the street
Money and travel documents
On the road
Who do I call in an emergency?
You can dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services) and 10177 for an ambulance.
What procedures should I follow in case of an unfortunate incident?
Although incidents of crime against tourists happen rarely in South Africa, tourists should
still be aware of the basic emergency procedures to follow should anything happen. It
recommended that you:
Where do I find a timetable of the congress proceedings?
To find out more about the programme, click here.
What is included in my registration fee?
Standard and Student Registration fees include:
Registration fees do not include:
However, you are able to reserve and pay for your accommodation at congress hotels through the IFAC 2014 registration process.
What are the IFAC 2014 social events that I can attend with my accompanying
person?
The IFAC 2014 promises an enjoyable social programme for delegates and their accompanying
persons. There will be an Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception, Banquet and Closing Ceremony
and Farewell Reception. In addition to these, there are
day tours and half-day tours can be organised by the IFAC 2014 Congress Secretariat.
For more information, click here.
What kind of family activities does Cape Town have to offer?
Cape Town's natural beauty is conducive to an active, outdoor lifestyle and typical family
activities can include lazy afternoons on some of the world’s most beautiful sandy beaches,
quiet strolls through our natural forestation and hikes through gentle mountain ranges which
offer your family the chance to interact with indigenous wildlife and clean, fresh air.
Cape Town also offers a rich variety of museums, restaurants and shopping centers – most within walking distance from the CTICC and the IFAC 2014 Congress Hotels. Children and adults alike will be amazed by the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Cape Town Natural History Museum and Planetarium, as well as the world-famous Waterfront, which offers over 400 retail outlets selling everything from fashion, homeware and curios, to jewellery, leather goods and audiovisual equipment, as well as serving as a gateway to Robben Island.
What is the time zone in Cape Town and South Africa?
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it
an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter
Time and seven hours behind Australian Central Time.
What is the currency used in South Africa?
The South African currency is the Rand
Click here to view an up-to-date currency
converter
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most commercial banks and Bureaux de Change are widely
available.
Typical banking hours:
Monday - Friday: 09h00 - 15h30
Saturdays: 08h30 - 11h00
ATMs are widely available.
Do I need to have any inoculations or vaccines before I travel?
The only inoculation requirement for visitors is a yellow fever vaccination certificate for
those entering South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever zone (including flight
stop overs). All African countries (with the exception of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and
Swaziland) require a certificate. Babies of one year old or less are exempt. For more
information please see here.
Malaria is endemic in some parts of Mpumalanga, Northern Province, and KwaZulu-Natal and it is essential to take precautions if you intend to visit these areas. The bilharzia parasite is present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country, and visitors should avoid contact with the water in these regions. There is no immunisation against bilharzia. The closest malaria and bilharzia regions are approximately 1600 kilometers from Cape Town.
What is the climate like in Cape Town and South Africa in August?
It is winter in South Africa at the time of the congress and temperatures can vary. Cool,
windy and rainy days characterise winter, with daytime average temperatures ranging between
10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees. But some chilly days with temperatures below 10 degrees
can be expected in mid-winter, and at night time temperatures range from mid teems to below
0 degrees. So prepare for the worst: dress warmly with water proof clothing or bring an
umbrella.
South African climatic conditions generally range from Mediterranean in the south-western corner of the country to temperate in the interior plateau, and subtropical in the northeast. A small area in the northwest has a desert climate. Most of the country has warm, sunny days and cool nights.
What are the distance and temperature conversions?
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometres.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometres
Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
What electricity outlets are used in most hotels and do I need to buy
a special adapter?
The electricity supply is 220-240 volts, 50 Hz. The connection for appliances is a round
three-pin plug. The wall plugs are not comparable with Europe, the USA or the East; special
adapters are available in most airport duty free shops.
What is the correct etiquette across South Africa?
The dress code across South Africa is mainly casual and smart casual, except in some restaurants
and clubs that require more formal attire. Smoking is banned in public buildings and on planes,
buses and trains.
What are the disabled facilities like for visitors?
South African Airways provides passenger aid units at all major airports. Many hotels offer
facilities for the disabled, as do most rest camps in the Kruger National Park. Wheelchairs
and other aides are available for hire in most cities. The larger rental car agencies can
provide vehicles with hand controls.
What is the official language of South Africa?
South Africa has 11 official languages and English is spoken throughout the country. French,
German and Italian are also spoken at many larger hotels and popular tourist destinations
around Sun City.
What sort of paperwork do I need to enter South Africa?
Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid passport and a visa if required. Please ensure
that you have at least two (2) blank facing pages in your passport.
A list of South African consulates and embassies may be found on the South African Department of
Foreign Affairs website or visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website:
{w} Foreign Affairs
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs
Visa application forms can be downloaded from the South African Home Affairs website:
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs
What are the road facilities like and what are the South African rules of the
road?
An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan areas with even the smallest villages.
South Africa drives on the LEFT. The speed limit in urban areas is usually 60 km per hour; on
rural roads 100 km per hour and on freeways 120 km per hour unless otherwise indicated.
Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory; driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence;
and traffic laws are strictly enforced.
Public transport such as trains and buses are often not reliable and it is better to rent a vehicle from a reputable car-hire company if you wish to travel long distances. The IFAC 2014 Congress Secretariat will also be arranging pre-booked day tours so that you can experience the beauty of Cape Town without worrying about securing a vehicle.
Valid driver's licenses from visitors' home countries are acceptable provided that they are in English and include the driver's photograph. If your driver's license does not comply with these requirements, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before your departure to South Africa.
What are the shopping facilities like in Cape Town?
Local manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship, and with a favourable exchange rate,
visitors can afford to indulge.
Shopping hours in the bigger cities are generally 08h00 to 17h00 on weekdays, 08h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays, and some shops outside of malls are still closed on Sundays. Malls are generally open until 17h00 on Saturday and Sunday, and the V&A Waterfront is open 09h00 - 21h00 7 days a week!
How do I make phone calls in and out of South Africa?
Cape Town telephone dialling codes:
International: +27-21-
National: 021-
National Directory Enquiries: 1023
To call internationally out of South Africa, dial 00 and then the country code. Cell phones
are widely available for hire, as are 'starter packs' if your personal handset is compatible
with the South African system.
What are the gratuity measures when it comes to tipping?
It is customary to tip waiters, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters, caddies and other
service providers. Depending on the service, the amount should be around 10%-15% of the
bill, R5 per suitcase or R20 per golf bag.
Can I claim back VAT (Value Added Tax)?
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services.
Foreign visitors may claim back VAT paid on items to be taken out of the country when the
total value exceeds ZAR 250.00. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow are available
from VAT Refund Administration offices at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban
International Airports, and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
Opening Ceremony
24 August 2014
First Plenary Session
25 August 2014
Congress Banquet
28 August 2014
Closing Ceremony
29 August 2014