by Ria Olivier | Jun 2, 2022 | Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team Photo
The 79th Marion Island Overwintering Team has arrived on the island 6 weeks ago. After a very busy take-over, where each team member was introduced to their new roles on the island, they are now settled in and ready for their sub-Antarctic overwintering expedition. Marion79 consist of 21 team members – check them out below.
Message from the Team Leader, Jufter Munyai:
“The Marion79 team is ready to look after the South African station on Marion Island, some will be conducting scientific fieldwork, whereas others have obligations in and around the station”.
Want to know more about the Marion Island 2022 take-over? Click here
We wish the team a successful expedition. See you back in Cape Town, in May 2023.
79th Marion Island Overwintering Team
Featured Image: Marion79 onboard the S.A. Agulhas II, about to depart to Marion Island on Sunday, 17 April 2022. Image supplied by Jufter Munyai (Team Leader).
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 02 June 2022
by Ria Olivier | Jun 1, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Engineering, News, Newsletters>SANAE Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAE, SANAP, Stations, Team member
In this edition:
- Sunsets on Antarctica
- Birthday celebrations
- Get to know the team’s SANSA (South African National Space Agency) HF Radar/ VLF Engineer – Mfezeko Rataza, who celebrated his birthday on 16 April.
What do you find most challenging about being in Antarctica?
Mfezeko: “The job involve learning about climbing techniques and rope work, because we have to go up these 30 meters antenna to service them whenever there is a breakage sometimes in very cold conditions ( -15 degrees). Imagine trying to tighten a nut with your bear hands when frostbite start to occur after 2-3 minutes exposure”.
Want to read more? Click here to download the April 2022 issue.
Images from S61 April Newsletter. “Fez (Mfezeko) with his SANSA team by the Antennas”.
Birthday Card to Mfezeko Rataza (S61 SANSA Engineer) from Antarctic Legacy of South Africa – 16 April 2022.
Click here to view all the newsletters SANAE 61 has published to this date.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 01 June 2022
by Ria Olivier | May 18, 2022 | Announcement, Discover, Gateway cities, International Days, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAE, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic
Free entrance to Iziko Museums of South Africa today, 18 May 2022.
Visit the Sentinels of the South Exhibition at Iziko Museum of South Africa, Cape Town.
This exhibition will give you insight into the history, discoveries, and current role of South Africa’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean exploration. Read more here.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 18 May 2022
by Ria Olivier | May 10, 2022 | Announcement, Gough Island, Newsletters>Gough Island Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAP, Stations
The current overwintering team on Gough Island, Gough 67, compiled their second newsletter.
What will you find in this issue:
Click here to view or download this latest issue of The Bunting (Gough Island Newsletter).
Do you want to have a look at some other newsletters from previous teams? Find it all here.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 10 May 2022
by Ria Olivier | Apr 21, 2022 | Current Event, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Take-Over Operations
The S.A. Agulhas II departed from East Pier, V&A Waterfront on her annual Marion Island relief voyage, Sunday 17 April 2022. The expected time of arrival at the island is today, 21 April 2022.
The first leg of the voyage, Oceanographic Leg 1, from Cape Town to Marion Island, was dedicated to underway sampling (the vessel did not stop for sampling to take place).
Once at the island, take-over operations will commence immediately (weather permitting) – all land-based scientists, National Department of Public Works (NDPW) personnel, and take-over personnel (DFFE) will disembark. Cargo will be slung with helicopters to the island and fuel will be pumped to the island. Hereafter, the vessel will depart from Marion Island on the 2nd Oceanographic leg (annual Research and Monitoring programme around the Prince Edward Islands). The 3rd Oceanographic leg will commence after take-over, on the way back to Cape Town.
What is planned for the 2022 take-over on Marion Island (land-based)
- base and hut maintenance (NDPW)
- base and hut restock
- take-over function
- 79th Marion Island overwintering team (meet the team in next article) to take over from 78th Marion Island overwintering team (M78 – click here).
- take-over projects – scientific fieldwork (see table below)
University of Fort Hare, Department of Geography
Landscape and climate Interactions In a changing sub-Antarctic Environment🔗 |
| Group Leader | Prof Werner Nel |
DFFE: Oceans and Coasts
Southern Ocean and Island Research Programme
|
| Group Leader | Dr Azwianewi Makhado |
BirdLife South Africa & University of Pretoria
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences🔗
Longitudinal monitoring of terrestrial diversity to assess the effects of mouse eradiction on Marion Island, and bait and mouse trials to inform further planning for the project |
| Group Leader | Mr Luis Alberto Rodriguez-Pertierra |
BirdLife South Africa, DFFE
Mouse-Free Marion (Project to Eradicate House Mica from Marlon Island)🔗 |
| Group Leader | Dr Anton Wolfaardt |
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
Polar Space Weather Studies🔗 |
| Group Leader | Mr Matthew Spoor |
South African Weather Service (SAWS)
Atmosphere and Ocean Surface Research🔗 |
| Group Leader | Mr Vuyo Xelithole |
University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science
Observing Dawn In the Cosmos🔗 |
| Group Leader | Mr Ronny Joseph |
University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology
Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP)🔗
Marion Island Marine Mammals in Changing Environments: lndividual Heterogeneity and Population Processes |
| Group Leader | Prof Nico de Bruyn
|
Nelson Mandela University, Department of Zoology
Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU)🔗
Avian scavengers as indicators of recovery of an island biota |
| Group Leader | Dr Maëlle Connan |
What is planned for the take-over onboard the S.A. Agulhas II (ship-based)
DFFE: Ocean & Coasts Research
DFFE Ship-based Southern Ocean and Islands Research Programme |
| Ocean Physics: Group Leader | Mr Gavin Tutt |
| Ocean Chemistry: Group Leader | Dr Thato Mtshali |
| Ocean Biological: Group Leader | Mr Henry Kakora |
DFFE:Ocean & Coasts, University of Cape Town, Bayworld Centre for Research & Education
SAMOC-SA |
| Group Leader | Mr. Grant van der Heever |
University of Pretoria
Enhanced insights regarding the ecology, evolution, and function of marine microbiomes |
| Group Leader | Mr Choaro Dithugoe |
Land-based DFFE and other take-over personnel
Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support
Management, logistics and support for this voyage |
| Departmental Co-ordinator (DCO) | Mr Errol Julies |
| Assistant DCO | Mr Mfundo Tima |
| Admin Officer | Ms Pozisa Matshoba |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Sabata Setona |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Mazizi Salmani |
DFFE
Directorate: Oceans, Coasts & Biosecurity Compliance |
| Environmental Control Officer | Mr Thomas Mufanadzo |
DFFE
Directorate: Earth Systems Strategies
Prince Edward Islands Management Authority (Oversight Management Functions) |
| Group Leader | Ms Ntombovuyo Madlokazi |
| Chief Scientists |
| Land-based | Prof Werner Nel |
| Ship-based | Mr Marcel van den Berg |
National Department of Public Works (NDPW)
Maintenance Support |
| Group Leader | Mr Takalani Mudau |
Featured Image: S.A. Agulhas II at Marion Island, May 2014 (Credit: Anche Louw).
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 21 April 2022
by Ria Olivier | Mar 4, 2022 | Announcement, News, Newsletters>SANAE Newsletters, Overwintering Team, Stations, Team member
In this edition we meet the 9 team members of the 61st SANAE Overwintering Team:
- JC Laubscher (Doctor and Team Leader)
- Mfezeko Rataza (Electronic Engineer – South African National Space Agency)
- Read more about SANSA’s presence in Antarctica here.
- Maanda Mulaudzi (Electro-Mechanical Technician)
- John Manyatsa Skelete (Diesel Mechanic)
- Eric Randall (Snr Meteorological Technician – South African Weather Service)
- Thulani (Innovation) Ngwaqa (Mechanical Engineer/Base Engineer, Deputy Team Leader and Technical Team Leader)
- Innocent Sicelo Mthethwa (Diesel Mechanic)
- Aphiwe Dyum (Communications Engineer)
- Thobani Mabaso (HF Radar and Space Weather Engineer, South African National Space Agency)
Click here to view or download this issue!!
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 04 March 2022
