AIDE MEMOIRE
Important information for your trip
Thank you for confirming your attendance to AFRE Homecoming taking place at the African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Centurion, South Africa. We look forward to welcoming you to this special gathering of our community. To welcome you to Homecoming, we’ve created a playlist of some of our team’s favourite songs from South Africa for your listening pleasure as you pack and travel. Click here to listen!
Included in on this page is important information to help keep your travel to and from Homecoming as smooth as possible.
Before You Leave
Pre-Departure COVID Test
In keeping with our COVID-19 protocols, please be sure to take a PCR or self-administered antigen test 24 hours before departing your home base. If you test positive, we ask that you forego attending the event. Please save the receipt for your test—AFRE will provide reimbursements to you after Homecoming.
Click here for the full breadth of our COVID protocols.
Weather and What to Pack
During Homecoming, we will utilise outdoor spaces as much as possible, and we encourage you to dress casually and comfortably. Please plan to wear comfortable shoes and be mindful that it might rain on occasion.
It is summer in South Africa and temperatures can range from 15 - 30° Celsius / 60 - 86° Fahrenheit. Even though days tend to be sunny, in November, it can be rainy, and mornings and nights may be cool. Please check the weather forecast before you travel.
We suggest you pack:
Activewear for optional yoga and hiking sessions.
Casual wear for daytime activities.
Swimwear for relaxing in the pool during free time.
An item that signifies your work to include in the “Lineage of Luminaries” exhibition.
Traditional African or Black Tie optional attire for our Homecoming Gala Dinner.
IMPORTANT: We strongly recommend you pack any important medications, a day or two of clothing, and other essentials in your carry-on luggage in the unlikely event of airline delays with checked luggage.
Travel Related Changes
For travel booked by AFRE, changes to travel arrangements must be communicated to staff no later than one week prior to the departure date. Please bear in mind that you are responsible for any expenses resulting from changing your flight or rail reservation, including the change fee and any increase in ticket cost.
When You Arrive
Transfer from OR Tambo International Airport
Once you exit the luggage collection area, our AFRE Homecoming Welcoming Team will be clearly visible and waiting to take you to the lodge.
If you are unable to locate them, please contact Laetitia Nolwazi Mbuli on +27 64 752 6900 via a direct or WhatsApp call who will support you to locate the Welcoming Team. Wi-Fi is freely available at OR Tambo International Airport, simply connect to the “AIRPORTS FREE Wi-Fi” network and follow the instructions.
The Team will escort you to our shuttles and transport you to African Pride Irene Country Lodge in Centurion, which is a 30- to 45-minute drive from the airport. You do not need to use the regular taxis as our designated team and shuttles are there for you.
About Irene Country Lodge
All AFRE-invited guests will be staying at the African Pride Irene Country Lodge in Centurion. On arrival at the hotel, you will be directed to the welcome desk where you will be checked in and receive the necessary accreditation for the event. Kindly note that the daily check-in and check-out times at the lodge are 14h00 and 10h00 respectively.
AFRE guests are encouraged to present the QR Code below on arrival at Irene to expedite the check-in process.
Established in 1998 as a small boutique hotel, this haven of peace and tranquillity has grown into a countryside experience in the midst of the city. Across the street from the lodge is Irene Country Farm, a working dairy farm with on-site restaurants, a fully stocked farm shop and walking trails totalling 4.2 kilometres. Please note that the lodge and farm are cashless environments, but all major credit and debit cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard and American Express).
Please be reminded that you are responsible for additional costs associated with arrivals before 9 November or departures after 14 November. Contact the lodge directly for bookings that fall outside of programming dates.
African Pride Irene Country Lodge Tel: (+27) 12-667-646
Website: www.irenecountrylodge.co.za
While You’re At Homecoming
COVID Protocols
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all differently. Furthermore, the ever-changing nature of vaccine requirements imposed by countries, airlines and venue providers means that we all must be mindful of our collective responsibility to act in ways that might reduce transmission and harm to our community.
AFRE is informed by a collective care approach grounded in the values of solidarity and respect for the dignity of all members of our community. We will do our best to support everyone to participate meaningfully in our events, including hosting activities outdoors and in well-ventilated indoor spaces.
We strongly recommend that all attendees:
Follow the guidance from your health authorities on vaccination, including the COVID-19 primary series vaccination.
Take a COVID test before departing and forego attending if the results are positive.
Take a rapid PCR test, which AFRE will provide, after you arrive in South Africa.
Take full advantage of the COVID-19 care pack (masks and hand sanitizer) that AFRE will provide.
Wear masks while in indoor common spaces, including during sessions and meetings.
Meals
Each day, breakfast will be served from 07h00 – 09h00 at the Meadow Green Restaurant, located at the foothills of Irene overlooking the lake. Dinner on 10 and 11 November will be served at the Kingfisher Lawns, situated to the left of the property. Dinner on 13 November will be served at Doppio Zero in Rosebank.
Accessing the Day Spa, Pool & Gym
Irene features a day spa, pool and gym, all located across from the reception foyer. These amenities are available for use. Please exercise caution when using the pool as there is no lifeguard on duty. Kindly note, spa treatments are not included in AFRE’s Homecoming offering.
Connecting Electronic Devices
Most plugs in South Africa are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prongs, with round pins. We will include a US to SA adapter in your registration pack. Please note that changes in voltage may also affect your electronic devices.
Additional Information
Getting Around
If you are arriving early or extending your stay, and would like to explore Johannesburg and surrounding areas, we recommend that you use any of the following transport options for safety and convenience:
Ride Hailing Services: Uber is commonly used in South Africa. You will need to download the app on your mobile phone to access the services.
Gautrain: Fast and reliable, the Gautrain is a rapid rail service that links Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport. The closest station to the lodge is the Centurion Station located on 264 West Avenue, Die Hoewes, Centurion.
Buy a Gautrain Swift / Gold Card at the stations and top it up for your journey. Each Gautrain station is served by a Gautrain bus network linking commuters to nearby suburbs.
For more information:
Gautrain hotline number: 0800 428 872 46
Gautrain website: http://www.gautrain.co.za
Health & Safety
Pharmacies/Chemists: For general medical supplies, pharmacies are available in Centurion. Pharmacies in Centurion include:
Clicks Pharmacy South Downs (Open 09h00 – 18h00) +27 12 665 0846
Medicare Pharmacy Highveld (Open 09h00 – 19h00) +27 12 665 1555
Dis-Chem Logan Avenue Pharmacy (Open 09h00 – 18h00) +27 12 665 1555
If you need a health professional, let the AFRE team or the hotel staff know, and we will help you identify appropriate care.
Safety & Security: It’s always good practice while travelling to be mindful of your belongings and your movement. You are encouraged to inform an AFRE staff member if you have any safety concerns, and we will fully assist you as best as we can. Irene Country Lodge staff are also available to help you. Direct emergency numbers are also provided below.
Police: 10111
Ambulance: 10177
Emergency Numbers in Centurion
Lyttelton Police Station: +27 12 644 8632
Tshwane Metro Police: +27 12 664 4445
Netcare Unitas Hospital: +27 12 677 8000
U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg: In case of emergency, the US consulate offices can be reached at 1 Sandton Dr, Sandhurst | Johannesburg, Gauteng | Tel +27 11-290-3000.
Banks
Major banks in South Africa have branches as well as automated teller machines (ATMs) all over cities. ATMs are linked to all major international networks, and it is possible to draw local currency from them. Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted across the country but please bear in mind that American Express cards are not always accepted. Additional international fees may be incurred for the use of debit and credit cards.
Incidentals
African Pride Irene Country Lodge is close to Centurion Mall where you can purchase incidentals and access an ATM. https://www.centurionmall.co.za/
Sharing Homecoming on social media
We invite you to share your Homecoming experience using the hashtag #AFREHomecoming2022 and tag AFRE at:
Instagram: @AFRE_Global
Twitter: @AFREGlobal
Facebook: Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity
LinkedIn: Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity
Staying in contact
Please stop by the hospitality desk if you have any issues or concerns. There will be someone stationed at the desk for most of the day. You can also reach the team using the contact information listed below:
Laetitia Mbuli: +27 64 752 6900
Shireen Badat: +27 82 377 4346
Sebabatso Manoeli-Lesame: +27 68 253 6055
Amanda Webb: +1 646 491 1215
Terry Ann Booth: +1 516 265 0214
Daryl Hannah: +1 646 841 2897
Dupe Oyebolu: +1 813 403 8618
Nigel Richard: +1 508 636 6022
Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport when landing in case you need to contact any of us on WhatsApp. Irene Country Lodge also offers a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Departing
Airport Transfer
We encourage all guests to plan to depart Irene for the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight departure times. Shuttles will be available for all guests departing at the end of the Homecoming and AFRE programming period. To confirm your shuttle departure time, please visit the welcome desk.
Reimbursement Process
Reimbursement requests may be sent after 17 November. Be sure to familiarise yourself with what is reimbursable. Here’s a quick list:
AFRE pre-approved local flights, international flights, train, car rental, petrol
Taxis to and from your home to your local airport (for guests flying into Johannesburg)
Taxis to and from your home to Irene (for locally based guests)
Meals (where not provided)
COVID-19 test
Here’s the reimbursement process for these expenses:
Collect all the appropriate receipts.
Ensure the date, time, location, amount and purpose (the reason this expense was incurred) are clearly stated on the receipt.
In the case of meals, receipts should also clearly indicate what was purchased, kindly indicate what you ordered and the names of all other guests.
In the case of taxis, receipts should have the pick-up and drop-off locations and the names of all other passengers.
Send all receipts to afrefinance@atlanticfellows.org. You will receive an email confirmation and any additional documents.
Once all the relevant information and documents are received and confirmed, payment may be made within 30 to 45 days.