First circular

25 July 1999

 

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to attend the 15th International Congress of Arachnology to be held in the year 2001 in Africa. Come with us and feel the rhythm of Africa and experience the beauty of its soul. As a visitor to its shore, you are ever the adventurer. Come celebrate with us the exotic splendours that lie just around the next thorny bush, beyond the next orb web.

 

  1. THE HOST COUNTRY- SOUTH AFRICA
    2.

    Although one of the most developed of African countries, South Africa is also the most geographically diverse. Twice the size of France, the landscape may be linked to an inverted soup bowl, with a highveld plateau and dramatic mountainous escarpment dropping to lowveld plains which tumble to the largely untouched coasts. With the exception of the area around Cape Town, which has a Mediterranean climate, the country experiences dry winters (May to August) and enjoys rainfall in summer (October to March). The highlands of the interior are temperate with crisp winters, while the lowlands are warm to hot in summer with mild winters, when game viewing is at its peak.

     

  2. THE HOSTS
    3.

    The 15th International Congress of Arachnology will be hosted by the Plant Protection Research Institute (PPRI), an institute of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) with assistance from the Durban Natural Science Museum, the Northern Flagship Institute (Transvaal Museum), National Museum of Bloemfontein, the African Arachnological Society (AFRAS) and the Spider Club of Southern Africa.

     

  3. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
    4.
      • Dr Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman (ARC-PPRI) — convenor
      • Ms Annette van den Berg (ARC-PPRI) — secretary
      • Ms Lindie Steynberg (ARC-PPRI) — treasurer
      • Dr Tanza Crouch (Durban Natural Science Museum)
      • Dr Paul Bayliss (Northern Flagship Institute -Transvaal Museum)
      • Mr Leon Lotz (National Museum, Bloemfontein)
      • Mr Werner Croucamp (University of the Witwatersrand)
      • Ms Eryn Griffin (State Museum, Windhoek, Namibia)
      • Ms Karina Grové (ARC-PPRI) - PRO
      • Ms Connie Anderson (ARC-PPRI)
      • John and Astri Leroy (Spider Club of Southern Africa)
      • and other members of the Spider Club.

     

    1. THE VENUE
      2.

      GENERAL INFORMATION

      South Africa with its vast, wild open spaces has a variety of resorts across the country. Most of these resorts are perfectly geared to accommodate the very specific needs of groups, including conferences. Most of these resorts are situated inside reserves or are surrounded by nature reserves.

      The 15th ICA will be held at a well-known resort in South Africa, namely BADPLAAS. It is an Afrikaans word meaning "a farm where you can bath". It refers to the presence of a natural hot spring. Not only is Badplaas the most popular holiday destination in Mpumalanga Province, it has also become a sort-after conference venue for those looking for a peaceful, relaxed, country environment. The resort is situated in the Embuleni Private Nature Reserve and offers a wide range of amenities and accommodation.

      • Accommodation: guests have a choice of guesthouses, luxury or semi-luxury chalets, hotel rooms and camping facilities.
      • Meals: all chalets are equipped with a kitchen and utensils for self-catering. However, the resort offers special package deals for congress delegates which include three meals per day.
      • Spider collecting: currently there are no restrictions on collecting Arachnida in the reserve surrounding the resort. The only exception is for the collection of baboon spiders (Theraphosidae). For this special permits are required.
      • Conference facilities: the resort has full conference facilities. The use of all facilities, including tea/coffee is included in the price offered to groups.

      • Other activities: delegates have a choice of several activities for their leisure time. These include:
        • hiking trails
        • spider collecting
        • bird/game watching
        • visits to the game reserve
        • swimming (warm and cold water), Hydro-Spa facilities and numerous sport activities

      HISTORY OF BADPLAAS

      The reserve is situated at the foot of the Hlumuhlumu Mountains (Thunder Mountains), 1288 m above sea level in the Mpumalanga Province between Carolina and Barberton.

      Legend has it that during 1876 a certain Jacob de Clerque (alias Berg Jacob), discovered the thermal spring while following the trail of a wounded blesbuck. He initially decided to keep the find a secret, but the local Swazi’s knew the place well which they called Emanzana — where the waters heal. The Swazi’s often fetched the hot water with the power of healing from the spring. Only the notables among them were allowed to use the spring as medicine namely the elders.

      [PS. I think a few old Arachnologists will also qualify!!].

      Badplaas’ spring water has its origin in the bed of the "Verneukspruit", where the water rises from a depth of approximately 4.3 km. The spring has a capacity of 34 000 litres per hour and a water temperature of 53 °C. A rift valley has formed in the earth crust in the region. It stretches from Badplaas to the Swaziland Spa in Mmbabane. With surprising foresight, the Swazis originally called Badplaas the "talking mountain". The pride of Aventura Spa Badplaas is its mineral springs. The Hydro offers indoor and outdoor hot mineral pools, private bubble-jet baths, cold and warms mineral swimming pools- an ideal place for hard-working delegates to unwind and refresh themselves for the challenges which lie ahead.

       

    2. COSTS
      3.

      Prices quoted are those as of July 1999. However, these prices are likely to increase by an estimated 10% per year by 2001.

      • Bus to/from airport (single fare)
      		 = R45.00 (± 7.5 USD)
      • Stay in hotel in Pretoria/night (twin room to share R99.00; evening meal "A la Carte" ± R35.00 (± 6.25 USD)
      		 = R175.00 (B&B, single)(± 29.2 USD)
      • Bus transport to and from reserve
      		 = R210.00 (± 35 USD)
      • Registration (members ISA)
      		 = + R280.00 (± 47 USD)
      • Registration (non-members)
      		 = R300.00 ((± 50 USD)
      • Proceedings
      		 = R180.00 (± 30 USD)

      ACCOMMODATIONS:

      • FULL PACKAGE

      INCLUDES: full accommodation, three meals, full conference facility, tea/coffee at congress and in chalet*

      *chalet consists of 2 bedrooms, lounge, dining room, small kitchen, bathroom and separate toilet.

      Number of persons per 2 bedroom chalet

      price in Rand

      price in USD (current exchange rate R1=6 USD)

      2 persons per chalet

      R 365.00

      ± 61 USD

      3 persons per chalet

      R 315.00

      ± 53 USD

      4 persons per chalet

      R 290.00

      ± 49 USD
      • "STUDENT" PACKAGE

      INCLUDES: more economic accommodation; NO MEALS!! (the Congress dinner and barbeque are an additional cost); full conference facility.

      Number of persons per unit

      price in Rand

      price in USD

      1 person per unit

      R 215.00 per night

      ± 36 USD per night

      2 persons per unit

      R 140.00

      ± 24 USD

      3 persons per unit

      R 115.00

      ± 19 USD

      4 persons per unit

      R105.00

      ± 18 USD

       

    3. PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

      4. NB. Exact date of congress still to be finalized, see questionnaire!

      Arrive at Johannesburg International Airport

      (arrive over weekend;)

      PRETORIA

      Travel to Pretoria by bus: R45.00 (7.5 USD)

      all to meet in Pretoria

        • special day trips could be arranged, e.g. to art and craft markets if arriving early
        • overnight accommodation available at Hotel 224: R175 B & B (29.2 USD)
        • SUNDAY: registration at Hotel 224 from 9:00 — 13:00
        • SUNDAY: buses to depart for Badplaas at 14:00 (21/2-3

      hours drive; cost +35 USD return)

      BADPLAAS

      SUNDAY
        • arrive at the resort, welcome drink on grass
        • delegates to be shown to their accommodation
        • 18:30 welcome barbeque (braai) at resort

      MONDAY
        • opening of congress
        • evening: slide show/photo/drawing competitions

      TUESDAY
        • congress continues

      WEDNESDAY
        • collecting trips
        • "catch of the day" competition

      THURSDAY
        • congress continues
        • AFRICAN BANQUET

      FRIDAY
        • last morning of congress
        • depart back to Pretoria by bus

       

    4. POST CONGRESS TRIPS
      5.

      A variety of safaris/hiking trips/bus tours to, for example, the Kruger National Park, could be arranged through local travel agents which specialize in offering this service. More detail to follow.

       

    5. GENERAL INFORMATION — SOUTH AFRICA
      6.
      • Language: although there are 11 official languages in South Africa English is the most widely understood.
      • Local time: South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (SA does not have daylight savings time).
      • Climate: South Africa being in the Southern Hemisphere has winter from May — August (0-23°C) and summer from September — April (10-35°C).

      NB. South Africans do not heat or cool their buildings to the same extent as many Northern Hemisphere countries.
      • Electrical supply:
        • In most cities power supply is 220/230 volts AC 50Hz.
        • We use 3 round pin sockets (one 10 mm and two 8 mm prongs).
        • In most hotels 110/120 volt 2 pin shaving plugs available.
      • Money matters:
        • Major international credit cards such as VISA, American Express, Diners Club and Master Card are widely used with exception of street markets, and petrol/gas stations.
        • Foreign exchange and banking facilities available in all towns.
        • Banking systems are as sophisticated as those in Western Industrialized countries.
        • Banking hours: 9:00 - 12.30 (Mon-Fri), 8.30 - 11.00 (Sat).
        • Most banks have 24-hour ATM (automatic teller machines).
        • ATM facilities are available at the resort (but not foreign exchange).
      • Currency:
        • South African currency is Rand denoted by symbol "R". R1 = 100 cents.
        • International symbol ZAR. Banks can accommodate most international

      transactions. Present value of Rand against USD 6.2.

      • Tipping:
        • For all services a standard practice of 10% gratuity depending on service and satisfaction.
        • In restaurants a 10% gratuity is offered depending on the standard of service. Restaurants do not usually include the tip in the bill. Taxi drivers should also receive 10% of the amount charged. Porters are generally given R1 per bag.
      • VAT (Sales tax)
        • Tourists to South Africa can have sales tax (value added tax of 14%)

      refunded when leaving the country provided value of items purchased

      exceeds R250.

        • To qualify — valid passport, necessary forms, VAT invoices and till slip must be provided. However, no reclaim on accommodation can be made.
      • Postal and telephone services:
        • Most post offices open 8.30 — 16.30 (Mon-Fri); 8.30 — 11.00 (Sat).
        • There are adequate coin and card operated public telephones.
        • South Africa uses GMS system for cellular phones in the country.
        • Most national routes as well as cities and towns are covered.
        • Post office at resort.
      • Transport:
      • Flights:
        • most airlines fly directly to Johannesburg International Airport from cities on all continents.
      • Car rentals:
        • There are numerous car rental agencies in South Africa. An approved Bank Credit Card is used as a valid method of payment.
        • In renting a car in South Africa, you must be in possession of a valid driver’s license, as well as an International Drivers license.
        • The minimum age limit is 23 years or proof of a 5 years driving experience.
        • NB. In South Africa you drive on the left hand side of the road.
      • Bus transport:
        • Intercity bus transport is available between main city centers.

       

    6. MORE INFORMATION
      • Regularly updated information on the congress can be found on the Agricultural Research Council’s Web Server under http://www.arc.agric.za.
      • Or contact Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at

      Fax: +27 12 3293278 or tel: +27 12 3293269

      e-mail: rietasd@plant2.agric.za

      The congress organizers want your input to help make this as congress successful as possible. Fill out and return this REPLY FORM to express your preference for meeting dates and to sign up for the congress mailing list
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