Sunday Science: Rethinking the Antarctic Gateways
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 Antarctic Legacy of South Africa and ALSA organised the inclusion of Rudzani Silima in the Antartic Cities Youth Expedition(ACYE). Ria Olivier and Anché Louw attended meetings in Hobart Australia in 2017 of this project. Since then communication and meetings with Juan Salazar and Paul James occurred.
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 Antarctic Youth Coalition(AYC).
(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 Vimeo made by Juan Salazar:
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Project is headed by Associate Professor Juan Salazar(right), Institute for Culture and Society. (j.salazar@westernsydney.edu.au) (Information available from project websites see links above)
“We want cities to come together to embrace the values of Antarctica for the protection of our shared futures.”
(Images from ACYE expedition and text from ACYE pamphlet)
3 of the 4 previous SEAmester cruises have sampled the Agulhas System Climate Array (ASCA) transect. ASCA was an array of moorings deployed across the Agulhas Current from April 2016 to May 2018, in order to better understand the physical properties and dynamics of the Agulhas Current. The ASCA project extended the research undertaken along this array during the Agulhas Current Time-series project by continuing to sample the same 20 hydrographic stations. In-situ data in the Agulhas Current is very rare, and the collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach adopted during SEAmester has greatly improved our understanding of the complex Agulhas Current System. More information in paper by 
Left: Last year during SEAmester IV we experienced 3 consecutive cold fronts with resulting waves of up to 10m in size. This rough weather meant we were only able to sample 16 out of 20 of our planned stations. Photo credit: Thando Mazomba
SEAmester has changed the lives of students! “
Text Supplied by Laura Braby – SAEON- Egagasini Node. Student Comments supplied by Isabelle Ansorge. Images available on 
Where did it all started for Tahlia: “From an early age I have had an unbridled passion for the ocean and understanding technology, which led me to pursue my studies in Oceanography at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). I chose to study here as it provided a platform to not only gain academic experience within an oceanographic context, but to also gain field experience. In my third year (2014) I was placed at Bayworld Centre of Research and Education (BCRE) in order to complete a number of research projects which spanned across an array of oceanographic disciplines, namely: Marine Instrumentation, Marine Resource Management, Ocean Sciences and Marine Outreach. This placement exposed me to the different aspects of oceanography and allowed me to find my particular field of interest. It was there, at BCRE, that I was exposed to physical oceanography, data processing and development of marine instrumentation. I knew that I had found my niche within the oceanographic community and would strive to further my education, work experience and continue to learn and grow within this sector. After earning a National Diploma, I completed a BTech degree where I continued to work part-time at BCRE and develop my final research project. This project focused on the development of two sub-sea moorings, each housing a 75 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), which I was fortunate enough to deploy between two sub-Antarctic Islands—Marion Island and Prince Edward Island—while aboard the research vessel, SA Agulhas II.
Following the completion of my BTech degree, I continued to work on this mooring data over the next four years, returning to Marion Island and ensuring the safe retrieval and re-deployment of the sub-sea moorings. The data collected formulated the basis of my MSc research project, entitled Impact of ocean variability on Shelf-Seas surrounding the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.
More recently I have been exposed to the commercial oceanographic industry by working as a marine technician for Lwandle Marine Technologies. Albeit a brief time spent with Lwandle, I have experienced a very different aspect of oceanography in practice. I worked on a variety of contracts utilising skills I’ve gained over the years such as commercial diving operations, in situ data collection and hands-on instrumentation repairs/maintenance. These contracts also opened the door to innovative ways of thinking, problem solving and team work. I was also involved in equipment sales, field trip logistics and ‘meet and greets’ with clients which have been a great learning opportunity.
In December 2018 I was hired by the 
I love my career as it is ever changing and growing with the current climate or latest technological advances. I have been able to see the world, visit remote and beautiful locations, sail the high seas and build incredible bonds with fellow scientists. It isn’t always an easy journey, but conquering the challenge of this lifestyle and career choice is what makes it worthwhile. The sense of adventure is never ending and I’m always learning along the way. Madame Curie once said that nothing in life is to be fear but rather understood, so that we understand more and fear less. I think this gives us a great sense of pride in what we do and to strive to be curious about our world, to best understand, preserve it and pass the torch on to future generations.
To future researchers, be diligent, work hard and persevere throughout your career. There will be challenging days but there will also be days that out shadow the challenges and fuel your passion for science. Always be teachable no matter your age, and always willing to learn and lend a hand to your fellow scientists. The work you do throughout your career will not only impact and improve your life but will pave the way for those coming up behind you. So take pride in what your work, rise up to the challenges and enjoy the journey! (Right: Photo credit:Alexander Oelofse during SEAmester)
Stephen involvement in SANAP started back in 2016 when he was a student at 
Throughout my university career I had been very involved in home-brewing and the brewing industry. I was virtually brewing as much as I was studying and started a nano brewery in the back of a local Cape Town pub. I would bounce between classes and the brewery daily spending most of my time forging relationships with bars and brewers. Before I knew it, this hobby had turned into a functioning business. I had a small range of beers that I would sell before I’d even brewed the beer. As a student, cash and cash flow are always a difficulty and this sales approach (which is very unusual) worked for my situation.
The 
My biggest life decision came after the SANAE 56 take over expedition. I had to choose whether to continue my studies or work in the field that I had studied or to pursue the brewing business. At the time the business did not feel like a sustainable option, but I saw it as an experience that I could learn from. It all fell into place when I secured an investor that funded a proposal, I put forward to purchase a brewery from the UK. Signed, sealed and my brewing path had been decided. I spent two months in the UK packing up a brewery into a container to send back to Cape Town. The equipment was in perfect condition when it landed after a long cruise from Bristol port. Over the next few years, the business grew, and the brand has become established in the brewing industry.
It had always been a goal to collaborate with 
Why you love your career in science?I have a huge obsession with business and the many ways to make success out of it. That said, it’s incredibly difficult to actually succeed. Where I feel my true expertise, lie is in the science of brewing. I love the care and attention to all variables that create the outcome. Small slip ups in brewing have exponential knock on effects in the end product. There is science in controlling these variables to consistently producing the same product. There is a saying which I really appreciate – “brewing beer is a science but brewing great beer is an art”. I believe if you can marry the two, you’ll have success in the quality of the product.
My message to future scientists and researchers: “I believe that science and exploration is a noble pursuit but undoubtedly a rewarding one. It is also our duty to better understand the world and how best to preserve nature its beauty. There is also infinite amount of problems to solve and hypothesize to prove. By becoming a scientist, I believe you are an explorer with intrigue and wonder. I have had the privilege of working with ground-breaking scientists and researchers who have dedicated their life contributing to our collective knowledge about the world.”
Isabelle as a child always wanted to be an oceanographer. “When I was 13 my father sent me off for 6 months on a Tall Ship to sail around Africa. And so, having grown up on sailing ships and sailing the world at a very young age it seemed only natural to follow in my passion to build a career around the sea.
I first studied at 
One of my first jobs at 
Isabelle’s Working Life: “I was employed as a lecturer at UCT in 2006 and have worked hard to build a career both nationally and internationally in observational oceanography. My passion and love for the sea can be seen in the many opportunities that I create for students both at UCT, and as can be seen from the 
What drives me:” I love teaching students. Taking a student to sea and watching them learn and seeing their eyes light up when they first board the SA Agulhas II is extremely rewarding. Many of my former students have returned to sea either as senior researchers leading their own cohort of students, or they have built their career in marine management or moved into the academic field. It is so rewarding see young inexperienced students join a cruise and leave imbued with a new confidence and a passion for their discipline.
“I am proud of the SEAmester programme and how we have been able to develop linkages with traditionally non marine universities both through their students joining as SEAmester students or their own Lecturers joining the academic programme. The state-of-the-art research vessel, SA Agulhas II, provides such an incredible teaching and research platform for this programme; its size, comfort and shipboard facilities allow groups of 46 students and 30 lecturers to productively interact over a period of 10 days as can the photo of Prof Gammon teaching students in the ship’s stairwell shows so well!.”
My advice to the young generation: “Four words – always take the initiative! In the UK the only sea-going opportunity I had was to work on the River Tamar outside of Plymouth! In South Africa our students go to Antarctica! But it takes you to make that difference. We have so many wonderful opportunities in South Africa and access to such incredible marine programmes and platforms but the sparkplug to get started must come from you. All academics get frustrated by students not willing to engage with their surroundings and 
not even realise the enormous privilege it is to be on a research vessel such as the SA Agulhas II. You don’t have to be the brightest student in the class but by staying engaged, enthusiastic, interactive and dedicated to your studies you will always go much further in life. Opportunities are endless but it takes you to grab it!”
Above (l-r) : Greg(middle) to leave for Bouvet; Greg on Marion Island; Greg on Bouvet Island 
I took up my current employment in 2006 as marine mammal biologist at the 
When I was very young I was keen to become a game ranger. While in high school this had morphed into being a zoologist. And this is the career that I was lucky enough to follow. It has given me wonderful opportunities and allowed me to do some fascinating things. I had always wanted to work in wild places and so arriving on Marion Island for the first time was like arriving in paradise. Before the end of my first year, I new that I had to return. I loved every moment on this rough place. Not only was it beautiful and challenging, but it also allowed one the opportunity to observe animals fairly closely and wonder about their way of life and behaviour. How did these very distant relatives of our survive in an environment so hostile to us? Thus it was also intellectually stimulating. And I have loved to return to wild places and ask questions about the natural work ever since.
If you want to become a scientist, do what you love. It is a tough career that requires
