The NRF-SANAP Funding call is now open!
Click on the link below to access the submission portal.
Have you registered on NRF Connect?
Submission deadline: 15 June 2023
Important Documents – as indicated on the NRF website
(Please click on the images below to open the various documents)
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Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 20 April 2023
The S.A. Agulhas II is on her final stretch of the first oceanographic leg to the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The voyage has been overall calm, with easy and moderately sea and swells, reaching no more than 3 meters, in the past two days.
The 80th Marion Island overwintering team and land-based takeover personnel will soon reach their destination. The takeover is packed with scientific objectives, for both land and ship-based science groups, which will be shared over the next few weeks.
| Departure: Port of Cape Town to Marion Island | Evening of 15 April 2023 |
| Expected time of arrival: Marion Island | Evening of 19 April 2023 |
| S.A. Agulhas II last communicated position (18 April 2023, 23:59) | LAT: 40° 40.6' S LONG: 27° 45.5' E |
| Destination: Marion Island | LAT: 44° 9.1' S LONG: 33° 22.7' E |
| Number of passengers on board | 89 passengers |
Message to the overwintering team:
May your team work hard together, take time for celebrations and grow together as a team. We wish you all the best. May you find plenty of happiness and fulfillment during your year in the sub-Antarctic!
| Team Member | Position on M80 | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Ndaedzo Nthulani | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Dylan Seaton | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
| Christopher Jones | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
| Michelle Risi | Field Assistant: Birder | MAPRU (NMU) |
| Treasure Thobatsi | Communications Technician | DFFE |
| Gumede Mbekezeli | Electrical Technician | DFFE |
| Nikitha Fikizolo | Chef | DFFE |
| Tamara Eggeling | Field Assistant: Sealer/Killer Whaler | MIMMP (UP) |
| Zafar Monier | Field Assistant: Sealer | MIMMP (UP) |
| Kuhle Mbalane | Assistant Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
| Mfezeko Rataza | Electronic Engineer | SANSA |
| Keith Odwa Obose | Assistant Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Kyle Maurer | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
| Mpumelelo Mabutyana | Field Assistant: Birder | DFFE (Oceans & Coasts) |
| Collen Nkadimeng | Diesel Mechanic | DFFE |
| Kelebogile Mogotsi | Senior Meteorological Technician | SAWS |
| Nkateko Maholobela | Environmental Control Officer | DFFE |
| Sandile Nkebe | Medical Orderly & Team Leader) | DFFE |
| Camilla Smyth | Field Assistant | Mouse-free Marion |
Photo caption: Marion80. Photo taken on the heli deck on board the S.A. Agulhas II. Back (L-R) Ndaedzo Nthulani, Dylan Seaton, Christopher Jones, Michelle Risi, Treasure Thobatsi, Gumede Mbekezeli, Nikitha Fikizolo, Tamara Eggeling, Zafar Monier, Kuhle Mbalane, Mfezeko Rataza; (front) Keith Odwa Obose, Kyle Maurer, Mpumelelo Mabutyana, Collen Nkadimeng, Kelebogile Mogotsi, Nkateko Maholobela, Sandile Nkebe and Camilla Smyth.
Photo credit: Christopher Jones and Michelle Risi
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 19 April 2023
Message from the Metkassies (Meteorological Technicians) currently on Marion Island.
Happy World Meteorological Day from the Metkassies on the 79th Marion Island overwintering team.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has been running a Meteorological station at Marion Island since 1950s.
As meteorological technicians, we preform monthly conformance and verification of the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) instruments.
This is normally done on a monthly basis to verify, check and maintain the weather station to ensure that the required standards of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) are met. In South Africa, SAWS is the voice for weather and climate forecasting and also a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Happy Meteorological Day from the Metkassies on the 79th Marion Island overwintering team.
Senior Metkassie: T. Sikhwari
Assistants Metkassies: T. Tshitavhe and S. Faltein
Text: Thendo Sikhwari, Senior Meteorological Technician, M79
Edited: Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), 23 March 2023
CLOSING date 14 APRIL 2023.
South Africa’s Class Afloat aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross-disciplinary field to students who have shown an affinity for core science disciplines
SEAmester V 2022 (read more about SEAmester cruises)
Applications are now open for LECTURER and STUDENT participation on the 2023 SEAmester-South Africa’ Class Afloat Programme. CLICK HERE
The Department of Science and Innovation requires platforms to “attract young researchers to the region and retain them by exciting their interest in aspects of global change”. SEAmester introduces marine science as an applied and cross-disciplinary field to students. Its long‐term vision is aimed at building capacity within the marine sciences by co‐ordinating cross‐disciplinary research projects through a highly innovative programme. The strength of SEAmester is that postgraduate students combine theoretical classroom learning with the application of this knowledge through ship-based and hands-on research. The state‐of‐the‐art research vessel, S.A. Agulhas II, provides the ideal teaching and research platform for SEAmester; its size, comfort and shipboard facilities allow large groups of students and lecturers to productively interact over a period of 10 days.
SEAmester will depart on the 19th June returning to Cape Town on the 30th June 2023. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants to be aware that the cruise dates may be subject to change by a few days. For further information please refer to www.SEAmester.co.za
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS : 14 APRIL 2023
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we came in contact with Tanganedzani “Tanga” Tshitavhe. She is an Assistant Meteorological Technician, for the South African Weather Service (SAWS), on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
This is a strong woman, with passion for her work and the sub-Antarctic environment. She also has a great sense of humour.
This is her message for all women out there:
“Today we celebrate the resilience, strength, grace, and beauty of women all around the world. On this day, let’s remember the importance of equity, work towards creating a more inclusive world, and honour the contributions and achievements of women”.
I mentioned she has a great sense of humour:
Today we are having a clear sky (sunshine) on Marion Island and as the Weather-Lady, here is a Sun pun.
Question:
Why is the Sun not very heavy to carry?
Answer:
Because it is very light
Text and photos supplied by: Tanganedzani Tshitavhe (Marion79)
Edited: Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (Data, Products and Society Node), 08 March 2023.
World Wetlands Day, is celebrated every year on 02 February. On this day, in 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) was signed in Ramsar, Iran.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated to to “raise awareness and understanding of what wetlands are and how we can contribute towards restoring them through making conscious choices, becoming persuasive voices and taking bold actions” (read more here).
What is a wetland?
A wetland is defined as the land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the
surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water, and which land in normal circumstances supports or would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil (1).
Why is wetland restoration so important? Listed below are a few benefits of wetland restoration:
Is your role in wetland restoration important?
Yes! Our individual and collective actions have an impact (1).
What can you as individual do to help protect and preserve wetlands?
Did you know that the South African Prince Edward Islands (Prince Edward Island and Marion Island) is declared as Wetland of International Importance?
The Prince Edward Islands was declared Wetland of International Importance: Ramsar Site No.1688, on 22 May 2007. The conservation and management of this site falls within the responsibility of the Directorate: Southern Oceans and Antarctic Support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Want to know about wetlands in South Africa?
Click on the posters to enlarge.
What’s been happening on Social Media
Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. @UNEP @RamsarConv #GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands pic.twitter.com/6icY1H6mvw
— Environmentza (@environmentza) January 24, 2023
DID YOU KNOW: 35% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years. @UNEP @RamsarConv @GovernmentZA @DWS_RSA #GenerationRestoration #ForWetlands pic.twitter.com/xKkjM26USN
— Environmentza (@environmentza) January 25, 2023
Sources:
1- https://www.worldwetlandsday.org/
2- https://www.dffe.gov.za/event/international/wetlandsday2013
3- https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/what-you-can-do-protect-coastal-wetlands
4- https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1688
5- https://alp.lib.sun.ac.za/handle/123456789/15327
6- https://blogs.sun.ac.za/antarcticlegacy/event/world-wetlands-day/
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 02 February 2023.
East Pier Shed, East Pier Lane,
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town,
South Africa