by Ria Olivier | Jul 26, 2025 | Announcement, Jobs, Overwintering Team, Uncategorised
🌍 Join the 2025–2027 Overwintering Team at SANAE IV Station, Antarctica!
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is calling on individuals to apply for positions at the SANAE IV Station in Antarctica for the 2025–2027 overwintering season. This is a rare opportunity to live and work in one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth, supporting essential scientific research and operations.
🧊 Positions Available:
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Senior Meteorological Technician
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Diesel Mechanic
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Mechanical Engineer
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Medical Doctor
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Electro-Mechanical Technician
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Communications Engineer
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Instrumentation Technician
📅 Closing Date: 18 August 2025 🔗 Apply now and learn more:
Job Advertisements
📍 Successful candidates will undergo pre-departure training and spend approximately 14 months in Antarctica, contributing to critical support and science at SANAE IV.
by Ria Olivier | Jun 27, 2025 | Uncategorised
by Ria Olivier | Jun 20, 2025 | Antarctica, International Days
On 21 June, SANAP join the global community in celebrating the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice (UN Resolution A/RES/73/300), a day that symbolically unites cultures in recognition of the astronomical turning point of the seasons. For those stationed in the southernmost reaches of the world, the Winter Solstice is more than a celestial event—it is the emotional and psychological halfway mark through the long, dark polar night.
For the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), Midwinter has long been a cornerstone of Antarctic culture. It’s a day of reflection, festivity, camaraderie, and connection—celebrated with unique traditions at each of our three overwintering research stations: SANAE IV on the Antarctic continent – Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean – Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean
Each station prepares a special Midwinter dinner, creates festive decorations, sends and receives greeting cards from polar stations around the world, and honours the resilience of their teams.
SANSA Research: Unveiling the Aurora
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), through its SANAP-supported space weather and atmospheric science projects, takes advantage of the unique location of SANAE IV to conduct world-class research into auroral phenomena and the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and solar activity.
These glowing displays—often visible during the polar night—are studied using ground-based instruments like:
- Magnetometers
- Very Low Frequency (VLF) receivers
- All-sky cameras
The data collected not only enhances our understanding of space weather but also contributes to international efforts to protect satellites, navigation systems, and power grids affected by geomagnetic storms.
Photo credit: DJ van Wyk – SANSA
by Ria Olivier | Jun 20, 2025 | Humanities, Legacy, Oceanography, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, SEAmester, Southern Ocean
South Africa’s pioneering floating university, SEAmester – Class Afloat, is preparing for its eighth voyage aboard the S.A. Agulhas II, setting sail from Cape Town on 17 June 2025 and returning on 27 June 2025. This unique and dynamic marine science programme continues to connect theoretical classroom learning with applied research, all within the working environment of a world-class research vessel.
The voyage is led by Principal Investigator Prof Isabelle Ansorge (left) from the University of Cape Town, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping SEAmester into one of the most impactful marine science initiatives in South Africa. The logistical and academic coordination of the voyage is managed by Tahlia Henry, whose dedication ensures a seamless blend of teaching, research, and exploration at sea.
This year’s expedition will host an impressive cohort of 47 students, 28 lecturers, and 23 scientists, creating a vibrant and multidisciplinary learning environment. Participants will engage in intensive lectures, practical ship-based experiments, and collaborative research projects across physical oceanography, marine biology, climate science, and data analysis.
Onboard the S.A. Agulhas II, students gain unparalleled exposure to real-time scientific operations—from deploying oceanographic instruments to analysing marine samples—while interacting closely with leading researchers and industry professionals. SEAmester continues to foster the next generation of marine and climate scientists, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and networks to contribute to South Africa’s blue economy and global ocean science.
SEAmester VIII journey—where science meets the sea, and the classroom knows no bounds.
by Ria Olivier | Jun 19, 2025 | Antarctica, Environment, Gough Island, International Days, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Ornithology
19 June 2025 marks World Albatross Day, a global celebration of these magnificent seabirds whose wide wingspans and far-ranging flight paths have long captured the imagination of sailors, scientists, and nature lovers alike. For South Africa, and particularly for the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), this day highlights not only the beauty and ecological importance of albatrosses—but also the urgent need to protect them.
At the heart of SANAP’s commitment to seabird conservation is ongoing research and monitoring on Marion Island, one of the two Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean. Marion Island is home to several albatross species, including the iconic Wandering Albatross, known for having the largest wingspan of any bird in the world. These seabirds are critical indicators of ocean health, and their survival is closely linked to the stability of sub-Antarctic ecosystems.
SANAP scientists have been conducting long-term ecological studies on albatross population trends, breeding behaviour, and foraging ecology, using tracking devices and direct observation to better understand how climate change, ocean dynamics, and human activities are impacting these vulnerable birds.
A major step in protecting Marion Island’s seabirds is the Mouse-Free Marion Project—a large-scale conservation effort aimed at eradicating invasive house mice that prey on albatross chicks and other native birds. These mice, unintentionally introduced by humans, have developed aggressive predatory behaviours that threaten the survival of not only the Wandering Albatross but also Grey-headed, Sooty, and Light-mantled Albatrosses, as well as burrowing petrels and other island species. The Mouse-Free Marion project represents one of the most important island restoration initiatives globally, and a critical investment in the long-term survival of South Africa’s seabird populations. Success will mean a safer future for generations of albatrosses nesting on this remote and windswept island.
This World Albatross Day, we celebrate the tireless work of scientists, conservationists, and partners who are helping to give these majestic ocean wanderers a fighting chance. Let’s continue to raise awareness and support efforts to keep the skies above the Southern Ocean filled with soaring wings.
On 21 June, SANAP join the global community in celebrating the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice (UN Resolution A/RES/73/300), a day that symbolically unites cultures in recognition of the astronomical turning point of the seasons. For those stationed in the southernmost reaches of the world, the Winter Solstice is more than a celestial event—it is the emotional and psychological halfway mark through the long, dark polar night.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), through its SANAP-supported space weather and atmospheric science projects, takes advantage of the unique location of SANAE IV to conduct world-class research into auroral phenomena and the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and solar activity.
South Africa’s pioneering floating university, SEAmester – Class Afloat, is preparing for its eighth voyage aboard the S.A. Agulhas II, setting sail from Cape Town on 17 June 2025 and returning on 27 June 2025. This unique and dynamic marine science programme continues to connect theoretical classroom learning with applied research, all within the working environment of a world-class research vessel.
The voyage is led by Principal Investigator Prof Isabelle Ansorge (left) from the University of Cape Town, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping SEAmester into one of the most impactful marine science initiatives in South Africa. The logistical and academic coordination of the voyage is managed by Tahlia Henry, whose dedication ensures a seamless blend of teaching, research, and exploration at sea.
19 June 2025 marks 
SANAP scientists have been conducting long-term ecological studies on albatross population trends, breeding behaviour, and foraging ecology, using tracking devices and direct observation to better understand how climate change, ocean dynamics, and human activities are impacting these vulnerable birds.
A major step in protecting Marion Island’s seabirds is the 
