The Lawyer as Rule-of-Law Activist: Activating the Next Generation

Travel and Accommodation Information

We are delighted to welcome you to Johannesburg to celebrate the Vance Center’s 20th anniversary and 20 years of our flagship African Legal Fellows Program, along with leading legal practitioners from across the African continent, the United States, and beyond.

This three-day event will recognize more than two decades of success among the Vance Center’s legal networks, beginning in South Africa and expanding far beyond, to support pro bono practice and a more diverse, inclusive legal profession in sub-Saharan Africa. The event will include distinguished keynote speakers from the South African and international legal fields, in-depth panel discussions on key issues for African legal practitioners, in-person visits to law firms and legal institutions, networking, and much more. 

See below for more detailed information about traveling to South Africa, where to stay in Johannesburg, and more.

Travel

Conference delegates should make their own travel bookings for flights and/or accommodation and/or shuttle services. Please fly into O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Visa Information

You should consult South Africa’s entry requirements to determine whether you will need a visa to enter the country. Requirements for visitors’ visas differ from country to country and the requirements are subject to change. Please click here to visit the South African Home Affairs website.  This website will let you know exactly what is needed to apply for a visa. Ensure you have copies of your passport, visas and other relevant documentation as needed.

Each application is treated as an individual case. If you have any questions about your eligibility or visa requirements or fees, you should contact the nearest South African mission or consulate or any office of the Department of Home Affairs.

If you wish to contact the SA Embassy in your country, you can find contact details here: https://www.dirco.gov.za/south-african-representation-abroad-/

Transportation

Ride-hailing services such as Uber, Taxify and others are readily available in South Africa. We recommend installing these apps on your device before you travel. Your hotel may also be able to provide transportation or refer you to a transportation service, upon request

Location

Many of the events, including the evening reception on October 11 and full-day event on October 12, will take place in Sandton.

For participants traveling from beyond Johannesburg, we recommend reserving accommodation in Sandton for your convenience and to avoid unnecessary travel or transport expenses. See below for a list of recommended hotels; these are just some suggestions and there are many other accommodation options in Sandton for a range of needs and budgets.

Weather

October is summer in the southern hemisphere, so the weather in Johannesburg at this time is typically warm and sunny. There may be small amounts of rainfall, but you can expect most days will be sunny with clear skies. Temperatures may reach as high as 28 degrees Celsius (82 F), with an average around 18 degrees Celsius (64 F) in cooler areas.

Currency Exchange

Airports and hotels have reputable currency exchange bureaus. Sandton City Mall also provides exchange bureaus within all major banks, including First National Bank (FNB), Standard Bank, ABSA, and Nedbank. More exchange bureaus include Travelex and Tower Bureau de Exchange

Many shops and businesses accept credit or debit cards and cards are considered a common and secure payment method in SA.  You should advise your credit card providers and banks of your travel ahead of time to avoid any temporary holds on charges or other issues.

A Note on Loadshedding…

This refers to scheduled electricity cuts applied when the system has insufficient capacity to fulfil all energy demands, as part of a policy to maintain overall system stability. It is implemented on a rotating basis to distribute impact. Many hotels and businesses have backup generators or other alternate energy supplies, meaning there should be relatively little disruption in these locations. However, this may impact travel time, as traffic lights in major business districts can be affected .