Info for Delegates
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- Dates of the conference
- Participation
- Official opening
- Travelling arrangements
- Hospitality
- Acceptance of invitation
- Transportation
- Date of arrival
- Date of departure
- Registration
- Medical services
- Currency and banking
- Dress code
- Climate
- Electrical power
- Important dates
- Conference theme and topics
- Contact details
Dates of the conference
- The 5th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Africa Region will be hosted by the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature from 9th-13 February 2013 at the East London International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Participation
- National branches are entitled to nominate two (2) delegates and one (1) official while sub-national branches are entitled to nominate one (1) delegate each. However, branches are free to send additional members as observers who are to pay a fee of US $2, 800 per member prior to the conference to cater for accommodation, conference materials, meals and local transport.
Name of the Bank: First National Bank
Account Type: Exchequer Account
Account Number: 620 201 256 80
Branch Name: Bhisho Branch
Branch Code: 210619
Official opening
- The conference will be officially opened on the 10th February 2013.
Travelling arrangements
- Flights
- All flights should be routed through to East London Airport in South Africa. The East London Airport has connecting flights from the 3 major international airports in South Africa which are OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
- Visas
- Entry Visas are required except for citizens of countries which have visa exemption agreements with South Africa. Guest and observes are advised to look up their Visa requirements at www.southafrica.info/travel/documents/visas.htm or consult relevant South African High Commissions in their countries.
Hospitality
- The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature has planned an excursion for the delegates and observers during the course of the conference to various sites around Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality:
- Steve Biko Foundation
- The Steve Biko Foundation is a community development organization inspired by the legacy of anti-apartheid activist Bantu Stephen Biko
- Bhisho Massacre Site
- Bhisho is a town in the Eastern Cape. Before the dawn of democracy in 1994, Bisho was the capital of Ciskei; a self-governing homeland. Thousands of protesters descended on Bisho on 7 September 1992 to demand the removal of Oupa Gqozo, the Ciskei military leader. As the march reached the border of South Africa and the then Ciskei, the Ciskei defence force soldiers opened fire, leaving 28 marchers and one soldier dead and more than 200 wounded.
- Legislature Building
- The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature is the legislative arm in the province and is situated in Bhisho. There are 63 Members of the Provincial Legislature representing the following political parties: African National Congress (ANC) 44 seats, Congress of the People (COPE) 9 seats, Democratic Alliance (DA) 6 seats, United Democratic Movement (UDM) 3 seats and African Independence Congress (AIC) 1 seat.
- House of Traditional Leaders
- Fort Hare University Museum
- Mdantsane NU 15 Women's Project
Acceptance of invitation
- Delegates are requested to indicate whether they will be attending the Conference. Inability to attend should also be indicated. To assist planning and management of the conference, this feedback should be communicated on or before the 30th of January 2013.
Transportation
- Transport will be provided from airport to hotels on arrival as well as from hotels to airport on departure. Transport will also be provided to and from conference function and activities.
Date of arrival
- The official date of arrival is 9th February 2013. Owing to their roles in conference preparation and management, Members of the Steering Committee should arrive on 6th February 2013 and the arrival of the Secretariat is scheduled for 3rd of February 2013. Any participants planning to arrive earlier will take care of all associated costs for those days before the official arrival date.
Date of departure
- The official departure date is the 14th February 2013. Any participants planning to stay longer will take care of all associated costs for those days after the 14th February 2013.
Registration
- Delegates are requested to register on arrival at the information desk which will be situated at the reception area at the International Convention Centre (ICC). Conference materials and documents will be given to delegates during registration. As part of registration requirements delegates are requested to produce their identification documents/passports at the information desk.
Medical services
- Basic emergency medical services will be provided at the hotel for the duration of the conference. Cases warranting hospitalization will be the responsibility of individual delegates through their own medical travel insurance.
Currency and banking
- The official currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (R). The exchange rate of a US $ (Dollar) to a Rand is R8.70/US $1 as at the time of printing of this circular. Delegates are advised to convert their currency to South African Rands (R) for their spending purposes while in East London. None of the local retailers and traders accepts any other currency but the Rand.
Dress code
- During conference the dress code will be formal or traditional. The dress code for the intended excursion shall be casual; for welcome dinner it shall be formal or traditional, and the cocktail wear is smart-casual.
Climate
- The climate in South Africa during this period is relatively warm and characterized by dry and wet conditions with temperatures ranging between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Electrical power
- The electrical power is 220 volts and the South African wall plugs and adapters are round ended. The South African wall plugs and adapters may be purchased at all the airports in South Africa and the information desk at the conference will also assist the delegates to purchase them at the nearest retail stores.
Important dates
-
Confirmation of attendance - 30th January 2013
Flight details - 30th January 2013
Arrival of the CPA Africa Region Secretariat - 3rd February 2013
Arrival of the Steering committee - 6th February 2013
Official arrival date of delegates and observers - 9th February 2013
Official departure date - 14th February 2013
Conference theme and topics
-
The theme of the Conference is:
"Are African Legislatures on Target Towards Attaining the 2015 Millennium Development Goals?"
The topics for the conference are as follows:
- Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against woman and girls.
-
Mover: Zambia
Seconder: South Africa - Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the MDG’s
-
Mover: Nigeria
Seconder: Swaziland - Creating a Gender Sensitive Parliamentary Environment
-
Mover: Namibia
Seconder:Ghana
Contact details
- Contact \ Focal Points
-
Ms Nomsisi Bata
General Manager: Oversight
Project Coordinator: CWP Conference
Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Private Bag x0051
Bhisho
5605
Tel Office: (+27)40 - 608 0229
Mobile: (+27)82 448 1197
Fax: (+27)40 - 639 3214
Email: nbata@ecleg.gov.za
Ms Nomava Mahote
Senior Co-Cordinator: Committee Support Services
Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Private Bag x0051
Bhisho
5605
Tel Office: (+27)40 - 609 1525
Mobile: (+27)72 487 4192
Fax: (+27)86 721 9077
Email: nmahote@ecleg.gov.za
Ms Unathi Millie
Researcher: Committee Support Services
Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Private Bag x0051
Bhisho
5605
Tel Office: (+27)40 - 608 0083
Mobile: (+27)82 779 9060
Fax: (+27)86 520 7455
Email: umillie@ecleg.gov.za
Ms Pumza Mbutuma
Senior Manager: Special Programmes and Wellness
Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Private Bag x0051
Bhisho
5605
Tel Office: (+27)40 - 608 0046
Mobile: (+27)79 499 6488
Fax: (+27)86 734 4857
Email: pmbutuma@ecleg.gov.za