South African International Halal Showcase (SAIHAS)

Johannesburg is spread out and built around the car, with low walkability, so visitors get around in three ways: the Gautrain rapid-rail spine (O. R. Tambo airport ↔ Sandton ↔ Rosebank ↔ Park Station / Joburg CBD, plus a line to Pretoria), and Uber or Bolt for everything off that line. The business districts, hotels and conference venues cluster in the safer northern nodes — Sandton, Rosebank and Melrose Arch — which the Gautrain serves directly.

Use Uber or Bolt rather than flagging anything on the street: verify the car's plate, request pickups from inside hotels, malls and the terminal, and avoid travelling alone late at night. The informal minibus 'taxis' are a core part of local life but run confusing routes, are often unroadworthy, and are not suited to visitors.

South African rand · ZAR

South Africa is very card-friendly and a leader in contactless ('tap and go') — card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, with no PIN needed under R500. Carry some cash for street vendors, local markets and tipping car guards.

Tipping is expected: around 10-15% in restaurants, and a few rand for petrol attendants, porters and the informal 'car guards' who watch parked cars.

Vodacom and MTN (best coverage) or Cell C prepaid SIMs from the airport and stores — bring your passport, as SIM registration (RICA) is a legal requirement and sometimes needs proof of address/booking

Plug: Type M (large three round-pin) is most common; newer buildings use the slimmer Type N (the ZA plug). A Type C europlug fits some sockets — bring a multi-adapter covering M and N · 230V / 50Hz

General: 112 (from any mobile — the operator routes you to the right service)

Fire: 10177 / 112

Nizamiye Mosque: An Ottoman-style complex modelled on Edirne's Selimiye Mosque and widely described as the largest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere — a major Friday congregation and a visitor attraction in its own right, with a community centre, clinic and shops. About midway to Pretoria off the N1.

Mosques across the Muslim neighbourhoods: Johannesburg's established Muslim communities mean numerous mosques across the western and northern suburbs and in Lenasia, including landmark mosques in Houghton and Mayfair, with busy Friday prayers.

Airport & mall prayer rooms: O. R. Tambo airport and several of the big shopping malls (where many halal restaurants are) have prayer facilities — handy between flights or expo sessions.