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COVER STORY
CSIR ICC — the knowledge hub of Africa
Ideally situated close to all central amenities in Pretoria, easily accessible from all major routes in Gauteng, and very competitively priced is Pretoria’s dedicated International Convention Centre. The CSIR International Convention Centre offers superb facilities and quality service with conference, function, and exhibition venues that can accommodate events of 500 to as little as 10 delegates and guests, with groups as large as 1,000 being accommodated at times. Flexibility, service excellence, and professionalism are key to what the International Convention Centre offers its clients.
Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, group manager: conferencing and accommodation, CSIR ICC said:“The CSIR ICC has recorded a steady increase in multiple-day association conference bookings over the last year.This is a testament to the premise on which the business event industry is founded, the need to address various societal and professional issues through face-to-face discourse and debate. Furthermore, the CSIR ICC has seen the return of the inclusion of social activities in conference programmes, and an increase in long-term bookings for as far ahead as 2026, which indicates confidence in the industry’s stability by role players.”
“The increase in intra-African flights driven by a number of factors such as economic development and tourism as well as the G20 summit which is expected to attract an influx of visitors to South Africa in 2025, are but some positive indicators of the industry trajectory.”
Ms Cadle de Ponte added:“There are exciting developments on the horizon for the CSIR ICC going full steam ahead with the optimisation of its new organisational structure that will see the employment of a number of new employees and another refurbishment project to modernise the older sections of the building and to add even more practicality. This innovative project is aimed at creating useful, thought-provoking, motivating, and contemporary spaces whilst preserving and enhancing the centre’s perfectly designed main foyer area and auditoria.”
“The aim of the CSIR ICC, with the innovative projects it undertakes to keep its facilities and services relevant, is not to be the biggest and brightest, but to be the most fit-for-purpose, to ensure that conference organisers, committees and association boards and members will achieve their strategic objectives when making use of the CSIR ICC for their events,”Ms Cadle de Ponte concluded.
Meet a few of the team members
Elmarie Swanepoel, business development manager
What makes the CSIR ICC unique from other venues?
Uniqueness in our location, part of a world-class African science, research, and development capital with National Key Point status, but what excites me the most is that our parent organisation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is celebrating its 80th anniversary next year and I have the opportunity to work at a place where I am part of brand South Africa.What we do at the CSIR ICC has an impact on every person in South Africa and the continent.
Which venue at the CSIR ICC is your favourite and why?
The Onyx/Crystal/Garnet venue offers natural light with the most beautiful view of Pretoria, the capital city. It is always a highlight to show clients this venue and enjoy the most beautiful view from the balcony while enjoying a coffee or tea break during a visit, or while participating in a conference, at the knowledge hub of Africa.
What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
Discovering new places in my hood, Pretoria, and travelling abroad. I know now why I always had to buy a pair of shoes (bad habit) or two while travelling because I do a lot of walking at the ICC building and I am making use of each of those pairs of shoes bought over the years — a bad habit coming to good use.
I’ve also realised that my previous roles in the business events industry were a stepping stone for my current role – which I am passionate about – flying the South African flag high.
Refilwe Nchebisang, marketing manager
What makes the CSIR ICC unique from other venues?
Since 1977, when it was opened as the first international standard convention centre in South Africa, the CSIR ICC focused on offering dedicated facilities for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the transfer of knowledge, because these acts of knowledge sharing and collaboration are drivers for economic and socio-economic impacts on a community, a specific industry or profession, a destination, and a country.
Which venue at the CSIR ICC is your favourite and why?
It’s difficult to choose only one.The Amethyst Room is one of my favourite venues. It is part of the last expansion project, it is a flexible venue with multiple screens, has classical qualities of the original existing building but is more aesthetic and contemporary, with a sense of timeless design.The Amethyst room leads to the stunning alfresco outdoor dining deck surrounded by the convention centre’s soothing setting — perfect for bird-watching enthusiasts seeking a quick reprieve from business talk, and it provides comfort and scenery.
What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
I love running and taking long walks.
Sinethemba Sidzatane, facilities manager
What makes the CSIR ICC unique from other venues?
The location sets the CSIR ICC apart from other venues, it is a spectacular natural setting surrounded by abundant natural fauna and flora — the perfect location, free from distractions. Small mammals such as the Common Duiker and birds such as the Blackcollared Barbet, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Spotted Eagle Owl,Thick-billed Weaver, and Amethyst Sunbird, to name a few.
Over and above the aesthetics of the built environment mentioned above, it is also the culture for me; the CSIR ICC has a culture of developing employees through various development programmes that enhance skills, expand knowledge, and provide opportunities for career advancement, which encourages and motivates employees, and I am a testimony of that.
Which venue at the CSIR ICC is your favourite and why?
Long-standing buildings often have unique architecture, natural stone flooring, intricate woodwork, and aesthetic value, with high-quality materials and impressive architectural structure. This is true of our ICC.
The exhibition hall is my favourite venue due to its versatility in hosting various events, from conferences to cocktail events, dinners, and exhibitions with vehicle expos.
What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and spoiling them with home-baked goodies.
Sustainability at the CSIR ICC
As one of the leading conference venues in the country, the CSIR ICC understands its responsibility to contribute to protecting the environment through its commitment to proactively promote resource efficiency and sustainability in its operations for the benefit of the communities in which it operates. The CSIR ICC has waste management and recycling, energy demand management, and economic and social responsibility programmes in place to reduce the impact of events that it hosts. Equally important for sustainability is event safety and water management, that continues to be at the forefront of discussions, with the need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions for the events industry.
Since 2001, the CSIR ICC has been contributing to capacity pipeline development by appointing in-service trainees annually who are studying towards their food and beverage and hospitality management diplomas or other industry-related qualifications. The CSIR ICC will remain a contributor to community development by providing access to resources to communities through a variety of initiatives and urges other hospitality industry establishments to have community involvement programmes to ensure that adequately skilled individuals are available for employment.
Value-added facilities and services
The CSIR ICC offers a modern one-stop business centre with related support services, facilities for the physically disabled, glass-fronted soundproof translation and press booths, on-site medical assistance, security, and free secure parking. Seamless end-to-end digital and hybrid event solutions to deliver conference content to multiple venues or persons across the country, or globally, from a studio environment or live event broadcast from any of the Centre’s purpose-built venues.There are a variety of solutions to cater for digital events, from simple broadcasting to complex conventions with exhibitions, sponsorships, and parallel sessions.
All the Centre’s equipment and facilities are constantly upgraded to ensure that it continues to be competitive on international standards. Not only does this Centre provide the perfect venue, but it also boasts a highly experienced team that will conceptualise and arrange special events and special services such as overnight accommodation, transport, laser shows, themed evenings, and custom-made décor with professional and creative flair.
Excellent track record
The Centre is the location chosen for over 500 diverse workshops, meetings, conferences, congresses, conventions, and exhibitions with accompanying functions each year. Some of these include 43rd National SAACI Convention, South African Orthopaedic Association Congress, GreenYouth Indaba, the Science Forum, the Africa Conference on Elections, Democracy and Governance; the Bionet International Global Congress and the Seventh International Fiqh Conference, which included Halaal catering for 500 delegates.
CSIR ICC contact information
Website: www.csiricc.co.za
Email: icc@csir.co.za
Enquiries: +27 (0)12 841 3884
