Travel Info
To make your travel planning easier, we've listed some useful information about travelling to South Africa.
Travel and Visa Requirements
All travelers must complete mandatory declarations online before traveling to the country: Traveler Declaration Website.
Please consult these webpages for visa requirements:
Navigating the Campus
Wits has a number of campuses. The conference is being held on the Braamfontein Main Campus. See the campus map.
Currency & Payment Methods
The currency is South African Rand (ZAR). For many travelers the exchange rate is very favourable. The most common form of payment is by bank card. Tipping 10 - 15% for services is suggested.
Connectivity
Use hotel and Wits Guest Wifi when at these locations. Use international roaming or an e-sim between locations.
Altitude
Joburg is 1,753 m (5,751 ft) above sea level so you may want to arrive a day or so early to adjust to the high altitude.
Shops
The recommended accommodation is next to a mall with all the shops you will need. On campus there is a small student centre with essentials called The Matrix.
Plugs & Travel Adapters
We recommend getting a travel plug adapter at the airport: Type M is essential. You may also want Type C.
Weather
Joburg winters are usually sunny, dry and moderate.
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​Average Temperature:​ max of 17°C (63F) to min of 3°C (38F) but it can go as high as 22°C and as low as 0°C.
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July is the middle of our winter and cold fronts can come through dropping temperatures for a few days.
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Our infrastructure is set up for summer, more so than winter, so you may find it quite cold indoors. The conference venues and hotels are heated.
Language
While South Africa has 12 official languages, in the cities and tourist areas you can easily converse in English.
Health
We recommend getting travel insurance inclusive of medical cover for your visit. Check requirements with your local travel doctor before travelling but we are not aware of vaccine requirements for visiting South Africa. Johannesburg is NOT a malaria area but the Wits Rural Facility is in a low risk malaria area (especially in winter).
Food and Water
Joburg is a multicultural city with a variety of local and international cuisine available. Many international fast food chains are available. See our recommendations for restaurants. Tap water is safe to drink.
Presenter Information
Presenters should consult the program daily incase of any changes.
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Each presentation has a 20 minute slot. 10 to 15 minutes for the presentation and 5 - 10 minutes for questions.
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Presenters can connect their devices or a flash drive to the audio-visual (AV) equipment. The available connections include: USBC, HDMI...We recommend that you pretest that your presentation, along with any audio or video data, works on the rooms AV equipment. This can be done in the tea/lunch break prior to the session you are presenting in.
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Audio-visual assistance will be available at the venue. Guidance is on each desk and the AV office is next to Auditorium 1 in Room 008 Central Audio Visual (CAVS). You can also use extension 71717 or call +2711 717 1717.
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Should you wish to print handouts, there is an on-campus printing service in the Matrix: Wits Jetline
Attendee Information
All registrations are done online in advance of the event.
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Consult the program regularly in case of last minute changes.
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Collect your name tag and goodie bag from the front desk in the CLM Faculty Building (next to the Tower of Light on the Main Braamfontein Campus, West).
Consult the program for when the front desk is open.
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To find your way around campus, consult the map.
Safe Travel
The Wits Campus is a pedestrian friendly campus with security controlled entrances.
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As is the case in most big cities, there are areas that are better suited to tourists than others.
Unless you are on an official guided tour, we recommend traveling in the areas that are north of the university (Parktown, Parkview, Rosebank, Parkhurst, Sandton etc.) and avoiding JHB city centre which is south of Jorissen St.​
Medical Care
Should you need medical assistance during your stay, please view the linked options below. We recommend arranging travel insurance inclusive of medical cover prior to your visit. Nearby private health care facilities are listed below.
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Emergency medical services: (+27) 082 911
Basic medical services are available on campus at Campus Health
The nearest private hospital to Wits is Milpark Hospital.
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The private hospital closest to recommended accommodation is Rosebank Hospital.
General practitioners near the accommodation are at the Epione Health Villages Rosebank.
Doctor's near Wits are at Netcare Medicross Meldene.