South African Association of Public Administration & Management 25th Annual Conference.
25th SAAPAM Annual Conference: FAQ
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| When and where is the conference? | The conference takes place from 27 September – 2 October 2026. The venue is the Nkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex (ICC) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. |
| What is the conference theme? | Growth and Sustainability through Improved Governance: Reimagining Institutions, Leadership and Development in a Changing World. |
| How do I register? | Registration is handled through the JOPA/Wemasoft Portal. You will need to create a profile or log in to complete the process. Submissions: |
| What are the key deadlines? |
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| What is the cost of membership? | Fees are generally tiered by membership status. Standard individual membership for the year is R600, while students pay R200. |
| What is the cost of registration? |
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| Can I pay via Invoice/EFT? | Yes. For departmental approvals, you can generate the necessary documentation through the portal. Payments are finalized once proof of payment is uploaded to the system or emailed to SAAPAM@tut.ac.za. |
| How do I submit my research? | Abstracts of 250–350 words must be submitted via the Submission Portal. Notifications of acceptance are usually sent within a week of the deadline. |
| Are there membership benefits? | Absolutely. Registered members receive significant discounts on conference fees, access to the Journal of Public Administration (JOPA), and professional networking opportunities. |
| Who can I contact for help? | Tel: 012 382 9769 WhatsApp: 076 727 1336 / 062 271 2419 Email: SAAPAM@tut.ac.za |
| What are the publication opportunities? | Exceptional papers may be published in the triple-blind peer-reviewed Journal of Public Administration (JOPA) or the SAAPAM Book Series, via Palgrave MacMillan, UNISA Press, or UJ Press. |
| Is accommodation included? | No, accommodation is the responsibility of the delegate. However, discounted rates are available at the Hilton Durban, Balmoral Hotel and Southern Sun Hotels using code SAAPAM25. |
Quick Tips for Delegates
- Submission Specs: Abstracts must be between 250–350 words.
- Gala Event: The Conference Gala Dinner is scheduled for 1 October 2026.
- Transport: A shuttle service will be provided between the negotiated partner hotels and the ICC.
- Contribution Types: You can participate through Panel Discussions, Individual Paper Submissions, or Pre-Conference Workshops (covering policy briefs, Op-Eds and media engagement).
- Student Focus: A dedicated Postgraduate Seminar for Master’s and Doctoral students will kick off the event.
Who can I contact for help?
- Prof John Molepo: 012 382 9769 / 076 750 2300.
- Emails: saapam@tut.ac.za | molepojn@tut.ac.za.
- Media Queries: onthatile@saapam.co.za | noluthando@saapam.co.za.
