SANAP-ALSA exhibit at Science Forum South Africa 2025 – 24–28 November 2025
The Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025 brought together researchers, policy leaders, students, and science enthusiasts from across the globe—and once again, SANAP- ALSA proudly showcased South Africa’s vital role in Antarctic and climate-change research. This year, the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) exhibit drew significant attention from delegates and exhibitors eager to learn more about the scientific, cultural, and environmental contributions South Africa makes in the Antarctic region. ALSA highlighted its mission to preserve, promote, and communicate South Africa’s polar heritage, while also reflecting the essential research being conducted by institutions across the country under SANAP.
Ministerial Engagement and Public Interaction: We were honoured to welcome the Honorable Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, to the ALSA exhibition. During his visit, he participated in an interview with SABC at the ALSA stall and added his fingerprint to a large map of Antarctica—a symbolic gesture celebrating South Africa’s commitment to protecting the region. The full fingerprint map, once completed by visitors during SFSA, will be delivered to the Minister.
Many attendees followed suit, placing their fingerprints on Antarctica maps to show solidarity in protecting the polar environment. This interactive activity reminded visitors of the fragility of polar ecosystems and the importance of ongoing conservation and research.
Delegates also enjoyed creating their own Antarctic animal-themed badges—an engaging way to spark conversation about biodiversity in the Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands.
Showcasing SANAP Research: Among the highlights of the SANAP presence was the showcase by Prof Michelle Greve and Nicola Marnewick representing the Marion Island mouSe Ecology (MISE) Project. Their exhibit included research photographs, a project banner, and lively discussions with attendees about the ecological impacts of invasive house mice on Marion Island and ongoing efforts to understand and mitigate these effects.
Highlighting South Africa’s Contributions to Polar Science: SANAP supports a wide array of multidisciplinary research projects aimed at understanding the Antarctic, the sub-Antarctic, and the Southern Ocean. During SFSA 2025, we highlighted several active research programmes across South Africa’s leading institutions, these projects collectively demonstrate South Africa’s leadership in understanding climate change, marine ecosystems, glaciology, atmospheric science, biodiversity, and Earth systems—research essential to global climate policy and scientific preparedness.:
- SEAmester – South Africa’s Floating University
- SA Agulhas II – Flagship for Vessel (4.0) – Part II
- On-island impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean’s iconic seabirds
- The biological carbon pump in a changing Southern Ocean
- Micronutrient and pollutant trace elements at the air-sea interface of the Southern Ocean
- Crustal evolution of Dronning Maud Land
- Marion Island mouSe Ecology (MISE)
- Ecogenomics
- SANAE HF radar
- South African Antarctic Artists and Writers Programme (AWP) Pilot
- Polar Space Weather Studies
- Interactive effects of multiple stressors and environmental change on seabird breeding performance
- Decoding the mercury cycle in the Southern Ocean: in situ observations and advanced modeling
- Landscape and Climate Interactions in the sub-Antarctic
- Marion Island Top Predator Long-Term Observations
- Southern Ocean Carbon-Heat Nexus: mixed-layer processes & feedbacks for improved climate projections
- Growth dynamics of sea ice and how they affect sea-ice mechanics
- ECOSOPHY – Emergent constraints on Southern Ocean phytoplankton physiology
- Structural Glaciological Analysis of North-Western Antarctic Ice Shelf (SANAS)
- Provenance and paleomagnetics of the rocks of the Grunehogna Craton in Western Dronning Maud Land
- Antarctic MIZ Observations: interdisciplinary approaches to resolve seasonal sea-ice variability
Acknowledgements: We extend our sincere thanks to all visitors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who stopped by the ALSA exhibit. Your interest and engagement help strengthen South Africa’s ongoing commitment to polar science. Thank you to DSTI and NRF making the exhibit possible.
Each year on the 9th of August, South Africans of all backgrounds, races and cultural groups join together in celebrating 
We also pay tribute to the women behind the scenes: administrators, logistics coordinators, construction workers, and technical staff who ensure the success of every expedition and the operation of our remote bases. These women embody resilience, leadership, and innovation in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
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.
In the SANAP community we are celebrating all those involved as Researchers, Scientists, and Students at tertiary and research institutions and infrastructures, and personnel within the National Research Foundation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Public works and Infrastructure, the South African Weather Services, the South African National Space Agency, the South African Polar Research Infrastructure and all the women serving as part of the crew of the S.A. Agulhas II.
Celebrating our women overwintering team members at our stations: Antarctica (SANAEIV), Marion Island and Gough Island.
2024 women’s day commemoration is a reminder of the important contributions that are made by women to society, as well as a time to reflect on the advances in women’s rights. During 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant strides in advancing gender equality in all domains of society, including economic empowerment of women.
Women’s Day 2024 is the first national day led by the Government of National Unity (GNU) and takes place in a rural community as part of including all South Africans in national events, and placing a focus on the achievements and needs of women in all corners of the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officiate the 
The only session on human enterprise within the 
Above (l-r): Jean Brundrit, Adrienne van Eeden-Wharton, Marike Stander, Ria Olivier
Jean Brundrit : “Over the Horison” was displayed with other publications by the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa.
Charne added fiction titles to everyone’s reading lists.
