Jess Verheul grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and has always had an affinity for the outdoors, wild and remote places, exploring, surviving and adventuring. She believes she might have been inspired and influenced by her grandparents being farmers; “we spent much time playing outside growing up. I loved being on the farm, and my parents took us on some great safari holidays when we were younger too”. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, specialising in Geography and Environmental Management. In her third year (2009), her mom showed her an article in an old girls school newsletter, an article by a fellow former school girl, who had been in Antarctica as the overwintering Medical Doctor. This sparked a conversation which in turn started a personal obsession…Mission Antarctica, by any means necessary. Her sense of adventure and the will to explore, or a search for depth and resilience to struggle and experience the elements for one’s-self sparked this obsession.
Jess completed her Master’s Degree in Environmental Management in 2012 and started working in the corporate consulting world. She relocated to Cape Town in 2014 and got involved as a volunteer firefighter and started experimenting more with creative hobbies like drawing and painting. In 2018 she was offered a volunteer position for the summer takeover to SANAE IV, South Africa’s Antarctic station located on the Vesleskarvet nunatak in Dronning Maud Land. She joined the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) team as a volunteer for the summer takeover expedition. As a member of a team of 10 people for SANSA undertaking upgrades and maintenance at SANAE IV over the summer takeover period from December 2018 to March 2019.
“Lacking a good camera but having a desire to experience this incredible place to the fullest, and knowing that drawing is a fantastic meditation; I treated myself to a blank sketchbook and some fine-liner pens before departing on our journey. I like creative expression. It helps me clear my head and experience a place or a situation more deeply.”
The SANSA Team didn’t have to do any work for the 11-day ship journey South, so she spent her time reading several books and did a bit of sketching. On the 19th of December the S.A. Agulhas IIwas close to the Fimbul Ice-shelf in Dronning Maud Land. Over the summer Jess spent approximately 100 hours in between work and chores, helping out and socialising; drawing, painting and studying the landscapes. “It was an unforgettable experience, one that still feels like a dream. I am ever grateful for the incredible opportunity. Since having spent all that time observing the place, I will remember it deeply for the rest of my days.”
ANT{INK}TICA : There were initially no plans to publicise her art, but the opportunity was presented by the archivist at Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) to publish it in a coffee table book. This is the first art publication from the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa. The book consists of 49 sketches and 3 poems, depicting scenes experienced by Jess during her Antarctic Expedition. Only 100 publications are available and will be signed by the artist. This publication will be a unique addition to Art Book Collections and Antarctic publications. Visit the website www.justjiggs.comto read more about the publication and place an order or contact riaolivier@sun.ac.za for more details.
Jess’ message to you: “To get out there, challenge yourself. To believe in yourself and your ability. To try new things. Try harder, to judge yourself less and to never give up. To appreciate the experiences and lessons you’ve been endowed with and to help others along their way”. . Jess’ hope is that this book will shine a light for you, to show you that anything is possible. That persistence pays. Magic exists. And every day is a gift. Life is short, don’t waste a second.
Text: Jess Verheul Photo credits: Jess Verheul, Colin de la Harpe, ALSA
Our mid-Month Series also include those people that has become part of the SANAP community and do a lot of freelance and volunteer work for SANAP. Alexander Oelofse is becoming a well-known name within the SANAP community. His videos of SEAmester give a real insight to the SEAmester program. ALSA realized that as freelancer he can be of great service to the community and to ALSA. During the Departure of SANAE59 an agreement was reached to compile videos during takeover. Ria Olivier met with him after his expedition at Iziko during the Sentinels of the South exhibition launch and possibilities were discussed of his contributions toward the Antarctic legacy of our country.
ALSA asked him when he got interested in photography?
What started off as a childhood dream turned into a reality on the 2019/2020 Antarctic relief voyage. I have always had a deep love for the ocean and knew from a young age that I would want to be in, or surrounded, by the ocean as much as possible. I wanted to study marine biology for a long time. Until job shadowing a marine biologist and realising much of the work would be lab-based. I couldn’t imagine that for myself. I then decided to pursue my other passion; photography. Being a member of the photographic society in high school sparked my interest. This led to me studying fine art photography at Michaelis in Cape Town. At Michaelis, I continued to create art centering around the environment.
How did he become involved in SANAP?
While at University I already started trying to find a way onboard the S.A. Agulhas II. I had to see this stark, extreme and yet breathtakingly beautiful landscape for myself. It took a few years of applying, without succeeding, until I could get onboard the SEAmester III as a lecturer after my studies. Onboard students from various universities around South Africa get the opportunity to experience oceanographic research at its best, out in the field, onboard the S.A. Agulhas II. To have the privilege to experience SEAmester as a student must be absolutely amazing, but more importantly, the eye-opening experience that can lead some students to follow their passions in the marine studies field.
Opportunity to go to Antarctica:
After doing two SEAmester Expeditions the opportunity came up to go down to Antarctica with UCT. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He departed on the first leg of the relief voyage of 2019/2020. I can’t really say I had any expectations, to be frankly honest. AS he has never seen a place like the Antarctica and not having any expectations, it lead to some of his best experiences. He admits that sailing down for 9 days to reach the ice shelf definitely adds to the anticipation and the surprise that is Antarctica. Visit his website to see his collection of Antarctic Images
“Seeing the ice shelf for the first time left me speechless. I became quite emotional, realising my dream had come true”.
“One of my highlights was getting to sit on the back of a snowmobile and traverse the snowy landscapes. Being the passenger allowed me to, despite the icy breeze, absorb the sublime landscapes that we passed through. This image was captured at 02:00 am. You could see the sun dip ever so slightly but never setting. I could get used to that. It made life seem endless, like there was no rush”
Alex Oelofse is looking forward to working alongside ALSA to inspire youth and spread the information about the amazing program that South Africa runs all the way down in Antarctica.
His contributions will soon be available on the ALSA archive and see in next Mid-Month series one of his videos.
On World Wildlife Day 2020, we will celebrate the special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms as a component of the world’s biological diversity. World Wildlife Day in 2020 is celebrated under the theme “Sustaining all life on Earth”, encompassing all wild animal and plant species as key components of the world’s biodiversity. This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 14 and 15, and their wide-ranging commitments on alleviating poverty, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and on conserving life both on land and below water to halt biodiversity loss. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March – the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973 – as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.
Azorella selago (Photo Credit: Niek Gremmen)
Antarctic Tern (Photo Credit: Tom McSherry)
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) plays a crucial role in conserving this living laboratory – – the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth. Studies done in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean are inextricably linked to our understanding of the entire Earth system and signals in Antarctica indicate past and future global changes. SANAP recognises the global and national importance of safeguarding the environment of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean and protecting the integrity of ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, in the region.
Weddell Seal – Photo Credit: Chris Oosthuizen
Photo Credit: Ben van der Walt
SANAP slogan “Understands, Develop and Conserve is celebrating World Wildlife Day 2020. See amazing images on the SANAP website under galleries of the different stations of South Africa. Go to the ALSA archive and look for the interaction images of man and the environment
S. A. Agulhas II will be back in Cape Town Harbour at East Pier tomorrow 28 February 2020.
SANAE 58 will return to Cape Town Harbour tomorrow after more than 14 months away from home. With them the takeover team consisting of Department of Environment, Forest and Fisheries, Department of Public Works an Infrastructure and researchers. ALSA is looking forward add their legacy of images to the digital archive.
If you want to know more about what they have been doing while in Antarctica read all their newsletters available on the ALSA digital archive. SANAE 58 departed in December 2018 read more about S.A. Agulhas II heading south with SANAE58 on the SANAP website.
Over the past 60 years, South Africa has sent down an overwintering team to South Africa’s station in Antarctica. This event start early on for applications to be posted for the team and then a huge amount of work go into planning for the next overwinter and takeover period. After months of planning and preparation by different government departments and institutions, the day of departure arrives.
Early on, all the team members arrive. The crew of the S. A. Agulhas II get our South African vessel ready for departure. Takeover personnel, research teams, The Department of Public Works and other institutions arrive to make sure everything is loaded to carry out their tasks during the takeover period.
Misokuhle Bulayane, Mardené de Villiers, Thandiwe Gumede and Zach Mogale of SA Weather services
Back L-r: Thabang Tshupo, Bertus Roos, Andrew Kietzmann, Riaan Marx, Front:Thabo Thebe, Thato Mareme, Markus Viljoen. SANDF drivers team 2019/2020
Back L-r: Thabang Tshupo, Bertus Roos, Andrew Kietzmann, Riaan Marx, Front:Thabo Thebe, Thato Mareme, Markus Viljoen. SANDF drivers team 2019/2020
SANSA colleagues wishing the group farewell. Back (L-R): Anita Engelbrecht, Vhulahani Manukha, Ziyaad Isaacs, Pierre Retief, Jon Ward, Stephanus Schoeman, Thomas Chauque, River Yaffe, Johan O Kennedy Front (L-R): Keitumetse Molamu, Camilla Smyth, Abigail Meyer, Jean Van Zyl
Family members, colleagues and friends come to say goodbye to their loved ones, who will be gone for more than a year.
Leon George of Public Works saying goodbye to family as he will not be home during the festive season
Mariëtte Wheeler, Bruce Dyer, Linda Clokie, Heine Smith and Mardené de Villiers- Friends from the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa at departure of SA Agulhas
Dr Marnel Mouton of Stellenbosch University with her son Jandre Mouton part of the Sound and Vibration research group
Jandre Mouton, Karl Pferdekamper, Jaco Laas and Ben Steyn of the Sound & Vibration Research Group at Stellenbosch University ready to depart on the S.A. Agulhas II with them Prof Annie Bekker
Our friends from Iziko – Sentinels of the South exhibition Nkosingiphile Mazibuko & Sesethu Coto
Zach, Thulani, Vhule, Taunyane, Pierre, Aby, Lodrick and John
Medical Doctor and Team Leader : Dr Abigail Paton
Electrical Engineer : Mr Lodrick Hlungwane
Mechanical Engineer : Mr Thulani Ngwaqa
Diesel Mechanic : Mr Michael Taunyane
Diesel Mechanic : Mr John Skeleti
Senior Meteorologist : Mr Zacharia Mogale
Engineer (SANSA) : Mr Pierre Retief
Engineer (SANSA) : Mr Vhulahani Manukha
The following personnel are on board the S.A. Agulhas II as part of the takeover team that are taking responsibility during take-over at the South Africa Station as well as on the journey down south:
Departmental Co-Ordinating Officer (DCO) Ms Kusi Ngxabani
Assistant DCO Mr Onke Nyanda
Administartor Officer Ms Zanele Ntobole
Technical Officer Mr Sibusiso Mhambi
Waste Technicians Mr Mazizi Salmani
Mr Tatulo Fiphaza
Chaplain Chaplain Samuel Britz
Master of the S.A. Agulhas II Captain Gavin Syndercombe
A last few good-byes and photos and a team photo conclude the activities.
The ship’s engines are running, the horn sounds and lastly the ladder is pulled up – off they go to be at sea for little more than a week until the ice shelf is reached.
Jess Verheul grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and has always had an affinity for the outdoors, wild and remote places, exploring, surviving and adventuring. She believes she might have been inspired and influenced by her grandparents being farmers; “we spent much time playing outside growing up. I loved being on the farm, and my parents took us on some great safari holidays when we were younger too”. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, specialising in Geography and Environmental Management. In her third year (2009), her mom showed her an article in an old girls school newsletter, an article by a fellow former school girl, who had been in Antarctica as the overwintering Medical Doctor. This sparked a conversation which in turn started a personal obsession…Mission Antarctica, by any means necessary. Her sense of adventure and the will to explore, or a search for depth and resilience to struggle and experience the elements for one’s-self sparked this obsession.
Jess completed her Master’s Degree in Environmental Management in 2012 and started working in the corporate consulting world. She relocated to Cape Town in 2014 and got involved as a volunteer firefighter and started experimenting more with creative hobbies like drawing and painting. In 2018 she was offered a volunteer position for the summer takeover to SANAE IV, South Africa’s Antarctic station located on the Vesleskarvet nunatak in Dronning Maud Land. She joined the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) team as a volunteer for the summer takeover expedition. As a member of a team of 10 people for SANSA undertaking upgrades and maintenance at SANAE IV over the summer takeover period from December 2018 to March 2019.
“Lacking a good camera but having a desire to experience this incredible place to the fullest, and knowing that drawing is a fantastic meditation; I treated myself to a blank sketchbook and some fine-liner pens before departing on our journey. I like creative expression. It helps me clear my head and experience a place or a situation more deeply.”
ANT{INK}TICA : There were initially no plans to publicise her art, but the opportunity was presented by the archivist at Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) to publish it in a coffee table book. This is the first art publication from the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa. The book consists of 49 sketches and 3 poems, depicting scenes experienced by Jess during her Antarctic Expedition. Only 100 publications are available and will be signed by the artist. This publication will be a unique addition to Art Book Collections and Antarctic publications. Visit the website www.justjiggs.com to read more about the publication and place an order or contact riaolivier@sun.ac.za for more details.
Jess’ message to you: “To get out there, challenge yourself. To believe in yourself and your ability. To try new things. Try harder, to judge yourself less and to never give up. To appreciate the experiences and lessons you’ve been endowed with and to help others along their way”. . Jess’ hope is that this book will shine a light for you, to show you that anything is possible. That persistence pays. Magic exists. And every day is a gift. Life is short, don’t waste a second.
freelance and volunteer work for SANAP. Alexander Oelofse is becoming a well-known name within the SANAP community. His 
realized that as freelancer he can be of great service to the community and to 
that I would want to be in, or surrounded, by the ocean as much as possible. I wanted to study marine biology for a long time. Until job shadowing a marine biologist and realising much of the work would be lab-based. I couldn’t imagine that for myself. I then decided to pursue my other passion; photography. Being a member of the photographic society in high school sparked my interest. This led to me studying 
While at University I already started trying to find a way onboard the S.A. Agulhas II. I had to see this stark, extreme and yet breathtakingly beautiful landscape for myself. It took a few years of applying, without succeeding, until I could get onboard the SEAmester III as a lecturer after my studies. Onboard students from various universities around South Africa get the opportunity to experience oceanographic research at its best, out in the field, onboard the 
He departed on the first leg of 
“Seeing the ice shelf for the first time left me speechless. I became quite emotional, realising my dream had come true”. 
“One of my highlights was getting to sit on the back of a snowmobile and traverse the snowy landscapes. Being the passenger allowed me to, despite the icy breeze, absorb the sublime landscapes that we passed through. This image was captured at 02:00 am. You could see the sun dip ever so slightly but never setting. I could get used to that. It made life seem endless, like there was no rush”
On 
See amazing images on the SANAP website 
S. A. Agulhas II will be back in Cape Town Harbour at East Pier tomorrow 28 February 2020.
The ship’s engines are running, the horn sounds and lastly the ladder is pulled up – off they go to be at sea for little more than a week until the ice shelf is reached.
