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Travel Information

 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

 

The 2025 AFRICAN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM CONFERENCE will take place from 5-7 November at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. The city is known as the economic heart of South Africa and the university is a globally recognised name in higher education.

 

Transport in and around Johannesburg

We recommend using Uber to get around. For longer distances, the Gautrain is a good option. The Gautrain also services the airport route to Rosebank and a station is within walking distance of the recommended hotels. The Gautrain works on a tap-and-go basis and you will be able to use your Mastercard/Visa bank card. American Express is not accepted.

 

Accommodation

Johannesburg boasts a vast portfolio of guesthouses, bed & breakfasts and hotels in close proximity to the conference venue. Our recommended hotels from which shuttles will be available to the conference venue include:

If you’re looking to book outside of this list, we recommend the following areas which are a short 10-15 minute drive to the conference venue:

  • Melrose
  • Rosebank
  • Parktown North
  • Illovo
  • Melville
  • Westcliff
  • Forest Town

 

Conference transport

– Delegates to the conference are responsible for their own airport shuttles.
– Uber is available in Johannesburg.
– During the conference, shuttles will collect delegates from the Holiday Inn Hotel every morning.
– Delegates are able to get back to their hotels via the same shuttles at the end of each day.
– Changes in the schedule are communicated via the conference app, Whova.

 

Visa Information

Please check whether you will need a visa to travel to South Africa before purchasing your flight ticket. Please find the necessary information regarding your visa application via this link.

Ensure that you contact the embassy in your country to confirm all the details and requirements and that you apply for your visa well in advance.

We will provide you with an invitation letter and other required documents where possible. Please contact the delegate support team for assistance.

 

Yellow fever vaccinations

In many cases, travellers to South Africa will have to carry proof of yellow fever vaccination. Please ensure you check this requirement with your local embassy officer or travel agent.

 

Medical Insurance

All visitors to Wits University campuses are expected to have sufficient travel and/or medical insurance in place in the case of emergencies. During the conference, emergency medical personnel will be available to assist delegates. Should you require medical assistance after hours, we suggest you make use of the Milpark Hospital casualty or the Rosebank Clinic casualty departments.

 

Delegate support team 

Please contact the delegate support team should you require information about or assistance with travel and accommodation.

 

Conference communications via Whova

Please download the Whova app before the conference begins but only after completing your registration. Once registered, you will receive the Whova code to access the conference via the app. Whova allows the conference organisers to share programme changes as they happen, to communicate with delegates and to book potentially over-subscribed sessions ahead of time along with other critical notifications. Delegates can also use the app to communicate with their fellow conference attendees.

 

 

Getting to the venue

The 2025 AIJC conference will be held at the Wits University Science Stadium on the West Campus of the University in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Access to the campus is via the main entrance on Yale Road (off Empire Road) in Braamfontein.

 

From OR Tambo International Airport

  • Take the JHB/PTA exit
  • Continue on the R24 towards JHB
  • Keep left onto the N3 (at the 113 Gillooly ‘s Interchange)
  • Keep left and take the M2 Francois Oberholzer on ramp (at the Geldenhuis Interchange)
  • Keep left onto the M1 (at the Crown Interchange)
  • Complete directions as if coming from the south of JHB

From the south of Johannesburg travelling on the M1 Freeway

  • Take the M10 Smit Str off ramp, Wits, keep left and take slip road
  • First left into Eendracht Str
  • Second left into De Korte Str
  • Straight into Yale Rd

From the north of Johannesburg travelling on the M1 Freeway

  • Take the R55 Empire Rd, Wits
  • Turn right at the “T” junction into Empire Rd
  • Turn left after the bridge into Yale Road
  • To access the campus by foot, present yourself to the security guards on duty.To access the campus by car, you will need some sort of identification and need to use the visitors entrance.

From the Yale Road entrance, turn right into the tunnel which leads to the Wits West Campus. At the intersection, turn left. Continue on this windy road for about 2 minutes until you reach the wall border which snakes around the Wits Science Stadium.

 

Parking on campus 

There are car parking areas at the university. You will then have to proceed to the venue on foot for a short distance from the car park. Please visit the Wits website to see all available parking areas and for the directions to the venue.

 

General Information 

 

Wi-Fi is available at the conference venue.

Water: Water dispensers will be available at the conference venues. You are encouraged to bring along your own water bottle for use.

Conference catering: Lunch is provided daily at the conference venue with special requests (vegetarian, halaal, vegan or kosher) available via pre-booking with the delegate support team. Tea and coffee is also made available during the day along with a coffee stand for other preferences.

Lost & Found: The Lost & Found desk can be found inside the registration tent and will be signposted. The Whova app will be used to communicate information about lost & found items.

Wheelchair Access: The venue is wheelchair friendly. Should you require any assistance with accessing the venue, please email Lineo.Leteba@wits.ac.za with AIJC Venue Access as your subject.

Plugs: South Africa uses three types of plugs. Please recommend you carry an adapter for your device.

In most cases, a local adapter from Type M to Type C will be needed at the venue.

  • Type C. Type C has two round parallel pins.
  • Type M. Type M has three round pins in a triangle shape, where the top one is longer and thicker.
  • Type N. Type N has three round pins almost in a line.

ATMs and Banking: There are ATMs for some major banks including Nedbank, ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, and First National Bank on East Campus at the ‘The Matrix’ building. Please refer to the map above to locate The Matrix.

 

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