3.1 The event
The African Future Skills Indaba 2027 (AFSI 2027) is organised by APEA. It runs from 19 to 24 March 2027 at The Canvas Riversands, Johannesburg. Pre-conference programmes run from 19 to 21 March and the main Indaba runs from 22 to 24 March 2027. The Canvas Riversands is our venue, not the organiser, and its own house rules also apply while you're on site.
3.2 Buying a pass
Passes are sold through the AFSI ticket shop on this site, which runs on Wix Events. Card payments are processed by Peach Payments. We don't see or store your full card details. Organisations can also ask for an invoice and pay by EFT or against a purchase order.
- Prices and currency. Prices are shown in ZAR and USD. You pay the amount and currency shown at checkout. Your bank may charge conversion or foreign transaction fees, which are your responsibility.
- When the contract is made. Your booking is confirmed when payment clears (or, for invoices, when we confirm the purchase order in writing) and we email your e-ticket. If we make an obvious pricing mistake, we'll contact you and you may cancel for a full refund.
- Invoices and purchase orders. An invoice holds the quoted price, including early-bird rates, for 14 days. Purchase orders received by 15 December 2026 keep the early-bird rate if payment follows by the due date on the invoice. Unpaid bookings may be released after the due date.
- Discount and promotion codes. Codes beginning AFSI27 are single-use, can't be combined with other offers, can't be swapped for cash and can't be transferred unless the code says otherwise. We may cancel a booking made with a code that was misused or obtained without authorisation.
- What a pass covers. One pass admits one named person. A main Indaba pass covers all three days (22 to 24 March 2027) and the sessions and benefits listed for that ticket type on the ticket page. Pre-conference programmes, the Welcome Reception and other add-ons are included only where the ticket page says so. Travel, accommodation and visas are not included.
3.3 Cooling-off period
Section 44 of ECTA normally gives a 7-day cooling-off right for online purchases. Section 42(2)(f) of ECTA says this doesn't apply to services for leisure or events that are to be provided on a specific date or within a specific period. Because AFSI 2027 takes place on fixed dates, the ECTA cooling-off right does not apply to AFSI passes. Your cancellation rights are set out in clause 3.4 instead.
3.4 Cancelling a booking
Under section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act you may cancel an advance booking, and we may charge a reasonable cancellation penalty. Our schedule is:
| When we receive your written cancellation | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days before 22 March 2027 (before 21 January 2027) | Full refund less a 10% administration fee |
| 30 to 60 days before (21 January to 20 February 2027) | 50% refund |
| Fewer than 30 days before (from 21 February 2027) | No refund, but you may transfer your pass (clause 3.5) |
| You can't attend because of death or serious illness, yours or an immediate family member's (proof needed) | Full refund at any time, under section 17(5) of the CPA |
Send cancellations to info@apea.international with your order number. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 30 days. Bank and card processing charges that we can't recover may be deducted. Sponsor and partner packages are governed by their signed agreements, not this clause.
3.5 Substitutions and name changes
If you can't come, you may transfer your pass to someone else free of charge up to 7 days before the event by emailing us the new delegate's details. After that, a transfer may be possible on site with proof of the original booking. Passes may not be resold for profit, and a pass resold through an unauthorised channel may be cancelled without a refund.
3.6 Visas and travel
If you need a visa to enter South Africa, apply early. We can issue a letter confirming your registration once your pass is paid, but this isn't a guarantee of a visa. If your visa is refused, send us the refusal letter before 22 March 2027 and we'll refund your pass less the 10% administration fee, whatever the date.
3.7 Changes, postponement or cancellation by us
We may change speakers, sessions, times or rooms. These changes don't entitle you to a refund. If we need to move AFSI 2027 to new dates, change it to a mainly online event, or cancel it:
- if we cancel and don't reschedule, you'll get a full refund of the ticket price
- if we postpone or move it online, your pass will be valid for the new dates or format, or you may ask for a refund within 30 days of our announcement
We're not responsible for travel, accommodation or other costs you've paid to third parties. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
Force majeure. We aren't liable for failing to run the event as planned because of something outside our reasonable control, such as natural disasters, pandemics, government orders, civil unrest, extended power or water outages, or failure of the venue. In those cases clause 3.7 still applies to your refund options.
3.8 At the event
- Badges. Wear your badge where it can be seen at all times. Badges aren't transferable on the day and lost badges may be reissued once with ID.
- Security and venue rules. Follow instructions from APEA staff, venue staff and security. Bags may be checked. We may refuse entry or remove anyone who breaks these terms, the Code of Conduct or venue rules, without a refund.
- Health and safety. Follow emergency and safety instructions. Tell us in advance about any access needs so we can arrange reasonable accommodation.
- Your belongings. You're responsible for your own property. Neither APEA nor the venue is liable for lost or stolen items unless caused by our negligence.
3.9 Chatham House Rule
Some sessions, including closed working group sessions, roundtables and investor sessions, run under the Chatham House Rule. Session listings will say so. In these sessions you may use what's said but must not reveal who said it or who else was there. Please don't record or post from these sessions.
3.10 Photography, filming and recording
AFSI 2027 will be photographed, filmed and live-streamed in parts. Public sessions may be recorded and published. By attending, you accept that you may appear in photos and video in general shots of the event, and that we may use these to report on and promote AFSI and APEA's work. We'll offer a coloured lanyard or sticker on site for anyone who doesn't want to be photographed close up, and our photographers will respect it. For close-up portraits, interviews and anyone under 18, we ask for specific consent first. You can ask us to remove an image of you from our channels at any time (section 4).
You may take photos for personal use, but please don't record full sessions or use flash during talks.
3.11 Code of Conduct
AFSI brings together people from across Africa and the world, from every sector and age group. Everyone attending, including delegates, speakers, partners, exhibitors, volunteers, staff and media, agrees to:
- treat others with respect, whatever their race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, birth or nationality
- not harass, intimidate, bully or discriminate against anyone, in person or online
- not make unwanted sexual advances or comments
- respect speakers and fellow delegates during sessions, and the Chatham House Rule where it applies
- not use AFSI to sell or recruit aggressively without the organisers' agreement
Report concerns to any staff member at the registration desk, or confidentially at info@apea.international. We'll take reports seriously and may take action including removal from the event, without a refund, and referral to the police where appropriate.
3.12 Children and young people
Several AFSI programmes involve learners and young people under 18, including the Schools Policy Simulation and youth delegations. For these:
- a parent, legal guardian or the learner's school must register them and give written consent, including consent to process their personal information (POPIA section 35) and, separately, to photograph or film them
- learners must be accompanied by a teacher or chaperone named by the school or guardian, who is responsible for them throughout
- everyone working with young people at AFSI must follow APEA's safeguarding policy, and adult staff and volunteers in these roles are screened, including against the National Child Protection Register as required by the Children's Act 38 of 2005
- concerns about a child's safety go straight to the designated safeguarding lead, and we'll act in the child's best interests
3.13 Programme and award applications
These terms also apply when you apply for, or enter, an AFSI special programme, such as the Youth Policy Prize, Youth Rapporteurs, Pan-African Student Assembly, Future Skills Film Project, Young Talent Call, Youth Council, Pathfinders and Practice Track, National Skills Pathways, National Showcases or the Young Journalists Desk. Each programme's page sets out its own eligibility, dates, judging and prizes, and those rules apply too.
- Selection is made by APEA and its panels. Our decisions are final and we may not be able to give individual feedback.
- You must give accurate information. We may disqualify an application that's false, plagiarised, or produced in breach of these terms. If you use AI tools in an entry, say so where the programme rules ask.
- Being selected may include a free or reduced pass, travel or accommodation support only where the programme page says so.
- Submissions are covered by clause 2.7 unless the programme rules say otherwise.
3.14 Liability
Important notice under section 49 of the CPA.To the extent the law allows, APEA's total liability to you in connection with a pass or programme place is limited to the amount you paid for it. We aren't liable for indirect loss, or for travel and accommodation costs, except where caused by our gross negligence or wilful misconduct. This doesn't limit your rights under the CPA or liability for death or injury caused by our negligence. You attend at your own risk except where loss or injury is caused by us or the venue.