Media
Registration
Members of the media are required to register to attend the Progressive Governance Summit (PGS).
A media registration form [PDF] is available for completion and return no later than Friday, 3 February 2006 to the Head of PGS Secretariat.
Accreditation
Only accredited media representatives will have access to media facilities and services for PGS 2006. Accreditation demand is expected to be high and all media organisations are therefore requested to comply with the request for return of accreditation forms and facility applications by the due date.
The Accreditation Centre will be situated at a facility on the South Lawn of the Union Buildings Gardens next to Church Street, Pretoria .
Media accreditation will permit access to the Media Centre at Kwalata Game Lodge , close to the Summit venue.
Media representatives will not be permitted into the Summit venue at Didimala Game Lodge except when they need to conduct interviews. In such cases, permission has to be sought from relevant South African Government officials. Once permission has been granted, individuals will be transported into Didimala Game Lodge and back under escort.
Immigration
All visitors to South Africa must hold valid passports. All passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the expected date of departure from the Republic and must furthermore have at least one unused visa page when presented for endorsements.
Citizens of countries that require visas for South Africa should obtain these beforehand at appropriate South African diplomatic or consular missions. Visa applications and passports may be forwarded to the relevant South African Mission by courier service or travel agent. It takes ten working days to process a visa application. Where required, applications should be accompanied with the necessary visa fees in respect of countries whose passport holders are subject to visa fees.
All visitors to South Africa who travel from or through yellow fever endemic areas, as designated by the World Health Organisation, must carry valid certificates of vaccination against Yellow Fever. These certificates will be checked upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport to ensure validity of vaccinations. Participants failing to provide proof hereof will be required to submit to vaccination prior to entry into the country. (Please also see under Medical and Health Services below.)
Medical and Health Services
Medical Treatment
Members of the media are encouraged to obtain medical travel insurance from a reputable organisation. Such insurance is relatively cheap and will ensure a trouble free trip should medical treatment be required. Medical treatment at private facilities in South Africa is expensive, with public facilities also levying charges for services rendered.
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Yellow Fever
In terms of the International Health Regulations Act, any person travelling from, or through, a yellow fever endemic area is required to provide proof of having a valid yellow fever vaccination prior to being allowed to enter South Africa. Should a person not be able to provide such proof, such person shall have the option of being vaccinated on-site (at their own cost) or being placed in quarantine for 6 days. Due to the high cost of this, it is strongly recommended that affected visitors be vaccinated prior to their travel.
Affected countries are listed in terms of an annual World Health Organisation publication. This publication can be viewed on the Internet.
Gauteng Province , including the Summit venue, falls OUTSIDE the malaria risk area in South Africa. Visitors need therefore not take any precautions relating to contracting malaria.
- General Health Information
The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink.
Visitors are cautioned about the risk of sunburn under the hot sun. It is recommended to use sun block/screen if exposed to the sun for any length of time.
Media facilities
The media facilities and services for Progressive Governance Summit 2006 are designed to provide the best possible working conditions for accredited media representatives who are expected to cover the event.
If at any other occasion during the Summit a Head of State/Government wishes to do a media interview, special arrangements will be made by the relevant South African Government Officials to take the journalist in question to Didimala Game Lodge and transport him/her back.
Where possible, each delegation should nominate a media contact officer who will be the main point of contact for the PGS SA Government Media Team to discuss media interview requests or media related issues. Media pool
There will be a media pool arrangement for photographs, video and sound for all media to share at the Media Centre. A pool arrangement will be used for all media opportunities that arise.
The Media Centre will have all the core facilities needed for their primary job of reporting on PGS 2006. The Centre will be at the Kwalata Game Lodge in Hammanskraal, Gauteng.
The Media Centre will be run by the PGS SA Government Media Team, staffed with specialist media practitioners including media and event professionals.
The media workspaces will have the following:
- Internet enabled desktop PCs
- a reception and enquiries desk
- technological support staff
Members of the media are advised to bring their laptops.
The Media Centre will operate from 08h00 until the close of proceedings each day from 9 - 13 February 2006.
At the close of the Summit on Sunday, 12 February 2006, participating HoS/G will address a media briefing at about 15h00 at Didimala Game Lodge. All accredited media representatives will be allowed to attend.
Media statements and fact sheets provided by delegations will be distributed at the Media Centre in consultation with PGS SA Government Media Team. Accommodation
Media representatives are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements. The Media Centre and the Summit venue are less than an hour's drive from Pretoria and it is recommended that media representatives seek accommodation in Pretoria and commute to the Media Centre. Those who wish to seek accommodation in the vicinity of Kwalata Game Lodge can look up accommodation establishments on the following website: http://www.dinokeng.net/ (see under Places to Stay).
Arrival and Transportation
Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) is considered the port of entry for all international arrivals.
Members of the media are advised to arrange their own transport for the duration of the Summit. Car rentals are available at the airport.
The media briefing by Heads of State and Government will be held at Didimala Game Lodge and media representatives will be transported collectively from the Media Centre to Didimala Game Lodge and back to the Centre.
(Note: No unauthorised vehicles will be allowed into the Didimala Game Lodge area.)
Media contacts
Murphy Morobe (Spokesperson)
Cell: 082 463 9334
David Hlabane
Cell: 082 561 9428
Harold Maloka
Cell: 082 847 9799 |
