from torremolinos to cape town

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 3-5º 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)

Front face

From the reception

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/the-cullinan/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=COnyrLvjj7ACFUdlfAodswwbrw

Tsogo Sun Hotel Waterfront 4*(R1450 prpn and R1750 sharing prpn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/waterfront-cape-town/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=CJnhsMHkj7ACFQwjfAodYXD3sA

Tsogo Sun Hotel Cape Sun 4*(R1260 prpn or R1560 sharing per room pn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/hotels/cape-sun/pages/overview.aspx?gclid=CPfWmvDkj7ACFaYJtAodiF8HrQ

Garden Court De Waal 3* (R854 prpn or R965 sharing prpn) http://www.tsogosunhotels.com/garden-court/de-waal/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

The Route

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

Robben Island http://www.robben-island.org.za/index.php?option

=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=13

http://www.capetown.travel/attractions/entry/Khayelitsha_Township_Tour_and_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 world-class 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

Cape Town has its unique jazz sound, just explore! Further guidance will be provided

bellvillegolf.co.za atlanticbeachgolfclub.co.za

clovelly.co.za Metropolitan Golf Course (tel 021) 434 7808)

mowbraygolfclub.co.zarondebosch-golf-club.co.za royalcapegolf.co.za westlakegolfclub.co.za

Some Men’s passion

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/mouille-point/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.

There will be an option to sign up for any or all of the above not to be

missed events

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

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.home-affairs.gov.za/Counties%20Exempy%20from%20SA%20Visaa.html

Where do I apply:http://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/

index.htmApplication form:http://www.dha.gov.za/PDF/immigration/bi-

84.pdf

Project Manager for the Conference: Ms Nomusa Maeko- maekon@dot.gov.za

Conference Coordinators:◦ Ms Lebogang Mdluli- mdlulil@dot.gov.za◦ Ms Mmanoko Kgaffe- kgaffem@dot.gov.za◦ Ms Mokgobeng Phirwa- phirwam@dot.gov.za◦ Ms Ayanda Mngadi – amngadi@samsa.org.za