Conference Questions
We are expecting up to 150 delegates at the conference.
Click on this link to be taken to the abstract submission form.
Following the review of the Scientific Committee, feedback should be available from 1 June 2025.
Once your abstract has been approved, you still need to register to attend the conference. The registration fee as well as travel and accommodation costs will be for your account.
Questions about travelling in South Africa
We want you to leave our beautiful region with nothing but happy memories. To ensure a pleasurable trip, please keep in mind a few precautions that you can employ on all your travels across the world:
- Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night.
- Never allow strangers to assist you in any way when withdrawing cash at an automated teller machine (ATM).
- At night, park in a secure and well-lit area with street guards.
- Keep photocopies of all valuable documents in a safe place.
South Africa has 11 official languages. English, Afrikaans and Xhosa are widely spoken in Cape Town.
Most major international credit cards are accepted in South Africa, including Mastercard and Visa. Although widely accepted, American Express and Diners Club sometimes may not be accepted. ATMs are widespread and most will allow visitors to withdraw money in Rands directly from bank or credit cards.
Many banks, to reduce fraudulent transactions, may block your card in overseas transactions as they may suspect ‘suspicious activity’. You therefore need to inform your bank beforehand that you will be using your credit card abroad.
The Rand (ZAR) is the official currency unit in South Africa.
Currency converter: www.xe.com/currencyconverter
South Africa has a well-developed communication infrastructure and offers national coverage for mobile calls and Wi-Fi coverage. Local sim cards can be purchased at the MTN and Vodacom stores located at the arrival halls at Cape Town International Airport.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the conference venue, and at some public spaces, hotels, shopping centres and restaurants.
With some exceptions, South Africa unfortunately does not have a safe and reliable public transport system. If this is your first time visiting Cape Town, we advise that you book an airport transfer to your accommodation. Popular riding apps such as Uber and Bolt are also commonly used.
If you prefer, you can rent a car. Most major car rental agencies are based at Cape Town International Airport, so you can book a vehicle as you arrive. It is best to book your rental beforehand, especially if you are travelling in the peak season. Keep in mind that you will need a driver’s license that is valid in South Africa, or an international driver’s license.
Cape Town International Airport is the main port of entry for local and international delegates. Please factor in additional time if you are travelling during morning rush hour (roughly between 7am – 9am) or afternoon traffic (generally between 4pm – 6pm).
For your own safety, it is not advised to make use of trains and minibus (unmetered) taxis.
Click here for everything you need to know about South Africa’s entry requirements. Please note that visa applications can take up to 3 months, depending on the local consulate/embassy in your region.
To locate your nearest embassy or consulate, please visit the Official Department of Home Affairs website.
Health-related questions
Tap water in the Western Cape is generally safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. This means you can save on plastic and just fill up your water bottle each day!
If you are visiting a rural area, you do need to be extra careful as the water may not be safe for consumption, so you may need to take extra precautions. Simply check with locals or a guide to know if the water is safe or not.
The conference venue will provide drinking water during the conference.
The Western Cape is a malaria-free area. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease which is prevalent throughout the year in the Kruger National Park and the low-lying areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal. If you are heading to the above-mentioned areas then you should consult a healthcare professional about the ideal prophylactic. The type of prophylactic will be determined by your personal health, how long you are visiting the malarial area and the time of year.
South Africa requires all travellers journeying from or transiting through yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate. Please see more information here.
There are pharmacies throughout South Africa, and many everyday medications, such as painkillers, are available over the counter. Some large chain stores also have in-store pharmacies that offer good value for money.
If you have a specific medical condition, it would be wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement, even if the trade name differs in South Africa.
South Africa has a well-developed healthcare system and there are both public and private hospitals in the country. Be sure to top up your medical and travel insurance before leaving home.
Mediclinic is a private hospital group that offers a 24hr emergency services.
There are many general practitioners (GPs) and specialists to choose from in the Cape Town, Bellville and Stellenbosch areas. You can also opt for an immediate virtual consultation with a registered doctor in South Africa.