Johannesburg 2012 — Travel & Program Information
Institute Organizers and Staff
The Democracy & Diversity Institute is co-organized by the Transregional Center for Democratic Studies (TCDS) at The New School for Social Research in New York City and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Organizers:
Elzbieta Matynia, Director, TCDS, The New School for Social Research, NY
Phone: 072 327 9044 (South African cell phone number; will be active from 1/2/2012)
Stephen Gelb, Director, The EDGE Institute; Department of Economics & Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg
Staff:
Pavlina Majorosova, TCDS Program Associate, New York
Email: majop364ATnewschool.edu; tcdsATnewschool.edu
Cell Phone: +1 202 306 2662 (US); will distribute an SA number upon arrival in Johannesburg
Available information:
- Traveling from the airport on your own – Emergency travel information (by taxi, by train)
- Accommodation in Johannesburg
- Opening & Closing Receptions
- Meals
- Course Schedule
- Course Readers
- Extracurricular Activities
- Money
- Internet Access
- Plugging in (SA type of plug)
- Personal Safety
- What to bring
Traveling From the Airport On Your Own – Emergency Travel Information
The University of Johannesburg is organizing a pick up for students arriving at the airport in Johannesburg. However, in case your flight is delayed or any other unforeseeable circumstances make it impossible for the pick-up to happen, please note down the following emergency contact and transportation information:
Elzbieta Matynia
Cell phone: 072 327 9044
Stephen Gelb
Cell phone: 082 855 0267
BY TAXI
Rose Taxi (taxi company recommended by Stephen Gelb)
Use the airport public phones in case you do not have any other way to call
The trip from the airport to Sophiatown should cost about 50 rand
Phone: 011 403 9625
Phone: 083 255 0934
UJ Address Instructions for Taxi Drivers:
Please note that Sophiatown residence is not the official name of the location, so taxi drivers will not know it; please use the following address description:
Dorms location: Corner Kingsway and University of Johannesburg, right opposite campus square shopping centre.
BY TRAIN
Gautrain from O.R. Tambo airport to Rosebank
http://join.gautrain.co.za/map.aspx
To go by the gautrain from the airport to Rosebank station costs about R105. From Rosebank station, take a taxi to the Sophiatown residence (see taxi address instructions above).
Accommodation in Johannesburg
Sophiatown Residence (UJ student dorms)
Auckland Park Kingsway Campus
University of Johannesburg
Kingsway and University Road
Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
You will be housed in modest, single rooms with shared bathrooms in the UJ Sophiatown student residence, named for the emblematic African neighborhood in Johannesburg. The dormitory is located in the heart of Melville, just steps from the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus and in close proximity to the University of the Witwatersrand.
Unfortunately, we are not able to arrange additional nights of accommodation at the Sophiatown student residence. If you will be staying in Johannesburg before January 5 (first night of accommodation) or after January 21 (last night of accommodation), you are responsible for your own arrangements.
Opening & Closing Receptions
There will be a welcoming reception to launch the Institute on the evening of Thursday, January 5. Please try to arrange your travel to arrive during the day on January 5 so you will have time to settle in and attend the evening reception.
There will be a closing reception on Friday, January 20; details will be announced. Participants must check out of the Sophiatown residence on Saturday, January 21.
Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the University of Johannesburg except on Sundays. We will try to accommodate your meal preference within reasonable limits. We ask you to keep to your choice of regular, and vegetarian, for the entire duration of your stay.
We will have a few dinners together (including the opening and closing receptions), but participants will be on their own for the rest. There are a number of dining options around the Sophiatown residence. An average dinner (pizza, coke and fruit) costs around R80 – R100.
Course Schedule
Upon your arrival in Johannesburg, we will provide you with the final version of the course schedule outlining the courses and the times they are offered, as well as the evening sessions, which are considered a mandatory requirement of the program.
Course Readers
Please be advised that there will be no facilities for printing at the campus in Johannesburg, thus if you would like your readings printed please do so before arrival. Also, please note that all the readings uploaded in the Dropbox account will be accessible only until the end of the Institute.
Extracurricular Activities
The seminars and lectures at the Johannesburg Institute will be complemented by study tours in and around the city that will highlight the history of apartheid and resistance, the transition to democracy, the challenges facing democratic South Africa, and the problems of urbanized Africa. Sites and institutions to be visited include the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Freedom Square, the Hector Pietersen Museum and other sites in Soweto, the Johannesburg inner city, Yeoville and Sophiatown, and informal settlements such as Orange Farm.
Additionally, a series of evening lectures will complement the curriculum and confront the significant issues of the day in a specifically South African context.
Money
South Africa’s currency is the Rand (R/ZAR; on December 20, 2011, ZAR 8.37 for $1). There are ATMs nearby, as well as banks. Most places will accept major credit cards. In general, we recommend using your ATM card for the best exchange rates and to avoid paying exchange fees. Please be sure to inform your bank and credit card company that you will be travelling to South Africa so that they do not freeze your account.
Internet Access
There will be Internet access freely available in the UJ library via computer terminals. The library is very close to Truffles, the place where we will have breakfasts and lunches.
The Sophiatown residence has a wireless Internet, however, UJ has to set up access for us and this may take a couple of days after our arrival. We will update you about this option.
There are also various Internet cafes close by.
Please note that the Internet connection at UJ is set up for regular e-mail traffic and will not handle downloads of huge audio or video files. We would like to ask everyone to be mindful of that so that all participants can enjoy Internet access without interruptions.
Plugging in
South Africa: Electric plug M [click on the link to see an image of the plug] 220/230V 50Hz. In some areas plug C & G. Electric power plug M has the official name of BS 546. Type M is a 15 A/250 V, version of electric plug D: 220/230V 50 Hz. Note that electric plug M is larger than D, thus plug D is not compatible in South Africa. For more information visit: http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs_m
Personal Safety
Johannesburg, like other major international cities, has specific risk areas. You should avoid Berea and Hillbrow. There is a high level of muggings around the Rotunda bus terminus in the Central Business District.
In all areas of Johannesburg, you should be cautious when out after dark. During the day, please always walk in groups, never alone. In case you need to call the police, please dial 10111 or 10112 from a cell phone.
What to Bring
You should plan to bring some spending money for your time in Johannesburg. The program fee covers your accommodation, breakfast, and lunch. However, you will be responsible for most of your dinners, as well as the costs of your transportation within Johannesburg (with the exception of the tours), all telephone calls, medical expenses, entertainment, and other extraneous expenses that you may incur during the period of the Institute.
Don’t forget to bring sun screen & see you all in Johannesburg!
