DEFF: SA Agulhas II will depart for Gough Island under strict health protocols
Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries : Media Statement – 15 September 2020 : SA Agulhas II will depart for Gough Island under strict health protocols:
Gough Island, some 2600 km south-west of Cape Town, is very strategic for South Africa’s weather observations and forecasting. The weather data collected at Gough and Marion Islands and at SANAE IV on Antarctica, is important for the navigation of passing vessels, warning South Africa of impending severe weather systems (in the case of Gough Island), as well as providing insight into climate change. These datasets are also key to improving the accuracy of our global and regional weather forecast models.
Within the current context of the corona virus lockdown period, the schedule and the procedures were adjusted to accommodate a strict quarantine and COVID-19 testing procedure before departure, as well as a strict adherence to sanitization procedures during the loading of the vessel. The recruitment process, including psychometric testing for the expedition members, was finalised on 24 August 2020. The team also undertook training in Cape Town. Most of the team members appointed have some experience of life on Gough Island.
The strict lockdown requirements, and quarantine procedures requires a significantly reduced team for the relief voyage, that will focus on logistical functions necessary to keep the base operational. Overwintering scientific functions will be limited to maintaining the long-term meteorological record by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), and the seabird monitoring by Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) United Kingdom (UK).
All passengers will be quarantined for 10 days before departure (between 02 September and 12 September 2020) on one of the approved quarantine facilities and in accordance with requirements by the Department of Health. The passengers in quarantine will be tested for COVID-19 virus and only participants with negative test results will be allowed to continue with the voyage. At the end of the quarantine period, passengers will be transferred from the site directly to the SA Agulhas II. There will be a five-day waiting period before the departure in order to monitor that none of the passengers develop symptoms.
Gough Island is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. A lease agreement for the island was concluded with Britain in 1956 and has been renewed over the years. The annual relief voyage on the SA Agulhas II transports scientists from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, various tertiary institutions and research agencies, with approved scientific projects. The voyage takes place annually in September, taking approximately 4 days sailing time from Cape Town to Gough Island.
The SA Agulhas II is expected to return to Cape Town on 16 October 2020.
For media enquiries contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
Email: znqayi@environment.gov.za
PHOTO CREDIT: Julius Klette (image available on www.antarcticlegacy.org)
Antarctic cities and the global commons: Rethinking the Gateways – project by Institute for Culture and Society. How we care for Antarctica is key to the planet’s future. As pressures on the continent increase, five gateway cities will become critical to its future.
These five cities; Cape Town, Christchurch, Hobart, Punta Arenas, and Ushuaia have complex histories of engagement with the Antarctic. Located in zones with intense interconnectivity to the Antarctic, they are formally recognised international gateways through which most travel to the region flows. All significant engagement with the Southern Polar Region is coordinated through them, but the ensuing competition for economic advantage that this traffic offers is not always constructive.
SANAP has been involved through the 
This project is the first substantial comparative program to investigate how gateway cities might both re-imagine and intensify their relations to Antarctica and each other. In doing so, constituents across the Antarctic gateway cities will be drawn into an ongoing partnership to research the significance of their Antarctic connection. The aims of this project are to demonstrate how ecological stewardship, political cooperation, cultural vibrancy, and economic prosperity can be mutually reinforcing, and determine how these cities see themselves into the future in relation to Antarctica and to each other. It intends to revitalise these relations through assessment and research processes that include supporting citizens to frame future forms of engagement. The project includes working with youth across the five cities to instigate the engagement of young people in debating the future of these cities and the futures of Antarctica. This evolved into the 
(Above l-r: % champions with Juan Salazar and Elizabeth Leane, 5 Champions and see Rudzi with South African Flag beanie) 5 Champions were chosen from the 5 Gateway Cities to represent their countries. A lot of effort, passion and work have been put in by these young champions. “During the ACYE to King George/25 de Mayo Island, Antarctic Peninsula, in February 2020, 5 young leaders representing the 5 Gateway cities developed a new AYC. AYC will focus on devising youth engagement networks in the five gateway cities to create new connections among these cities and develop a sense of Antarctic custodianship unique to all the gateways.” During the AYCE Rudzi visit the stations of Chile and Uruguay and took a gift from South Africa to every station, a table runner with Proteas the beautiful flower from the Western Cape as well as publications.
Rudzi(left) on 
(Images from ACYE expedition and text from ACYE pamphlet)
Rudzani Silima (Rudzi) have from a young age, always known that she would pursue a career in environmental conservation and science. “I grew up in the very small town of 
(l-r: Rudzi and Nompumelelo(DEFF),weighing my luggage, Ria Olivier(ALSA) sent me on my trip, during transit I said goodbye to my family) To date I have attained a collection of prizes from my university and conferences, further validating my determination to advocate for the oceans and our planet. As the best 
The 
There are many controversies related to climate change today, however, in Antarctica there is physical evidence that climate change is happening right now and not in some distant future. Therefore, the formation of the Antarctic Youth Coalition couldn’t be more perfectly timed. The AYC, hence from now on aims to make accessible the very important science done in the Southern Ocean to everyday citizens in the five gateway cities but also all around the world. 
“Therefore, all of us, common or otherwise, share the responsibility for a healthy, thriving Antarctica and our whole planet! My parting word, specifically to us young people is to never give up on yourself and never give up on your dreams. All of us have the potential to change the world in our own very unique and exciting ways”
A friend of mine once told me that I am a borne civil servant, and it turns out she was right. Although I got accepted at the 
(Images L-R: offloading at SANAE depot – SANAE helipad Neumayer delegation – Day trip to Neumayer)
(Images L-R: Initiation ceremony onboard the 
Turns out SANAP is my “
When I look back, I realize how lucky I am to be able to draw on a wide range of expertise accumulated over the years. I honestly believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. Many people will insist that one needs to maintain a narrow focus to be successful, but I don’t agree with this view. Many of us have broad interests (this is certainly true for me), and I have lived most of my passions to the fullest. I am particularly proud of so far conquering two of the seven summits. My advice would be to live and pursue all of your interest to the fullest, and then push the boundaries and do even more. (Image left: 
Currently I live and work in Johannesburg, and under the supervision of 
Nish Devanunthan is the Director of 
Nish has been to SANAE IV and Marion Island and represents South Africa at the Council for Managers of National Antarctic Programs with Lisolomzi Fikizolo. He is the main contract negotiator with international partners and commercial charters for the SA Agulhas II including the Weddell Sea expedition that took place 2018-2019. (Above l-r: Antarctica, Marion Island, COMNAP 2017)
He has seen many teams depart and arrive at East Pier in Cape Town
Left: Nish with Gilbert Siko of DSI at the launch of the 360 of SANAE. Middle: Promoting the new SANAP website at East Pier. Right: Rudzani Silima-ACYE champion (at East pier getting her gear for her expedition) with Nish. Nish works closely together with the ALSA team to ensure that the SANAP website is up to date and to adhere to government regulations such as the message during the COVID-19 pandemic(below).
