For business in Africa, Jo’Burg is the place. Not only is it the principal commercial and air transport hub for all of Africa, but its climate and amenities make it a very pleasant place to visit. Direct flights arrive from to Jo’Burg’s modern and pleasant airport from all over the West and Asia. As the country gears up to host soccer’s World Cup in 2010, infrastructure should only improve, a challenge that already has South Africans in a state of nervous industry.
The Southern Sun Hotel at the airport is a gem and affordable to Westerners accustomed to paying much more for airport lodging.
But if you or your group seek a pleasant venue in a rural area close to the airport with facilities for easy dining and meetings, look no further than the Willow Park Conference Centre and Resort (enquiries@wilparkgroup.co.za). Just 9 kilometers from the Jo’Burg airport, this exceptionally beautiful venue offers a variety of attractive rooms at a budget hotel price point.
On a break, you can walk the beautiful grounds take in some South African rays. At this writing, internet connectivity with the outside world drifts lazily between functional and abysmal, though staff promises improvements.
It doesn’t get much better than this for overnight hotel or conferencing facilities in southern Africa.
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Johannesburg International Airport, The Premier Club (prioritypass)
This smallish lounge is just through security. It’s on the spare side. Smokers will be happy about its dedicated smoking room. Decent South African wines, fruit, chips, and sandwiches fuel the body before the long-ish flights to Capetown or parts beyond.
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Electrical adaptor
First-time visitors to southern Africa will discover an electrical plug design that looks like the British style and quacks like the British style. Don’t be fooled: it’s got round rather than beveled prongs and you need to pick up an adaptor before you leave the airport. Best place to do so: the Accessories store.
Canter Bridge 
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