by Fishgate@sanap | Dec 1, 2018 | Announcement, Antarctica, Important Dates, SA Agulhas II, SANAE
– Commemorating the agreement of the Antarctic Treaty –
On the 1st of December 1959, 12 Nations (including South Africa, the only African signatory) signed the Antarctic Treaty agreeing to 14 commands, including that Antarctica will be used for peaceful purposes only. Today, Antarctica is seen as “a natural reserve, devoted to peace and SCIENCE”.
South Africa has been part of scientific exploration in the Antarctic since 1960, the year of the first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE). Scientist travel annually with South Africa’s research vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II, to the Antarctic. Once the vessel has reached the ice shelf, cargo and passengers are swung over with the ship’s crane. The helicopters onboard also assist in this regard. Passengers then travel about 200km to SANAE IV, which is situated in Dronning Maud Land (71°S, 2°W) where an overwintering team consisting of 10 people are housed.
South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) – this is the name of the South African government’s programme for research in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.
You might be wondering how we will be celebrating Antarctica Day/Month – keep an eye on Antarctic Legacy of South Africa’s Facebook Page or Instagram as from Monday (3 December 2018).
The Antarctic Treaty document can be downloaded here.
Also check out this book: Celebrating Antarctica; A Treaty Protecting a Continent. Authors: Julie Hambrook Berkman & Allen Pope
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 01 December 2018.
by Fishgate@sanap | Nov 30, 2018 | Antarctica, Legacy, News, Research, SANAP, Science
by Fishgate@sanap | Nov 29, 2018 | Antarctica, Important Dates, News, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, SANAE
The 58th South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) team is almost done with 3 weeks of training. As from tomorrow this team will be prepared for their 14 month expedition to South Africa’s Antarctic base, SANAE IV.
They will depart today in a week’s time, 06 December 2018, and return around middle February 2020.
Watch this video to learn more about Antarctica, South Africa’s involvement in the Antarctic Continent and South Africa’s research vessel (S.A. Agulhas II) built by STX Finland.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 29 November 2018.
by Fishgate@sanap | Nov 21, 2018 | Gough Island, Southern Ocean, Team Photo
The 63rd Gough Island Overwintering team departed on 07 September 2017 (click here to read more) and returned to Cape Town on the 13th of October 2018 (Photo).
Click on the link below and view their official team photo among the previous Gough Island overwintering teams.
Gough Team Photos
by Fishgate@sanap | Nov 20, 2018 | Gough Island, News, Overwintering Team
The Gough64 team members decided to take turns in writing blog posts, to update family and friends back home.
The first post was written by Cathy Mbazwana, Medic of Gough64.
This blog entry is about team member, Christopher Jones’s birthday party (Click here to read the blog). She also added the sea temperature and climate data for September and October 2018 to this blog post. It is great to hear that your team takes pride in planning and attending each other’s birthday parties. Your team dynamics definitely show positive signs for the year ahead.
Thanks for this great initiative Gough64.
We do still hope that the team decides to compile a newsletter in the coming months, but we are excited about this blog initiative and the stories your team will deliver.
Author: Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 20 November 2018
